What Jim Harbaugh said in his Monday press conference ahead of Iowa week

Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media on Monday afternoon for his weekly press conference ahead of the Iowa game this upcoming weekend and actually had quite a bit to say about his team’s performance and where things are headed.

Here’s the full recap of the topics covered:

• Harbaugh opens by answering question about Donovan Peoples-Jones penalty vs. Rutgers on play where he was covered by Nico Collins. Said that they have addressed it and have been close to penalties on other plays, as well.
• This week, the Wolverines will seek to play two good games in a row. Harbaugh said that would become a trend in his mind and then three and beyond would be a habit for the team.
• Called Iowa “consistently good” in all three phases of the game.
• Asked by reporter if his NFL coaching experience is still relevant. Short “I don’t know” given as a reply.
• Asked about Carlo Kemp and the Pagano family and praised them for being an “all football” family.
• On Rutgers’ fumbled kickoff to start the second half, Harbaugh said he did not need to ask for a replay review. He spoke to Tyler Cochran if there was a fumble there, but by the time he went to challenge it, it was already being reviewed.
• Harbaugh said that offensive coordinator Josh Gattis is “really easy to get along with” and that those two have meshed well together professionally. “He’s all ball and fun to be around, too.”
• Dylan McCaffrey could possibly practice this week, but that he is considered doubtful to play this week. Same goes for linebacker Josh Ross.
• Kwity Paye got the defensive game ball this weekend with Cam McGrone being an honorable mention. Jordan Glasgow and Aidan Hutchinson were also “really good.” Ambry Thomas, Lavert Hill, and Brad Hawkins also singled out and said that Hawkins’ play has become a habit.
• Harbaugh feels like McGrone has been ascending since he was challenged in fall camp to be a more physical player. His performance this weekend “puts a real exclamation point” on his development.
• Addressed coaching the Glasgow brothers over the years since he arrived and called them a “great football family.” Says Jordan Glasgow is one of the hardest working players that he has ever been around.
• Luke Schoonmaker and Erick All were mentioned as standouts in the absence of Sean McKeon. Likes how they continue to go full-speed and work through mistakes and improve from them. McKeon’s rehab and return from injury could possibly happen quicker than expected.
• Harbaugh said that Joe Milton was “good” and that he played really well. Said the touchdown throw was really good and actually an adjustment by both Milton and Giles Jackson. It was not the design of the play, but he has a policy of not deriding how touchdowns occur.
• Milton has worked on his accuracy and has responded well to coaching about not always throwing his fastball. “It’s not an easy thing to do.”
• Asked about similarities between Wisconsin and Iowa, Harbaugh said both teams are consistently good and have very similar football DNA.
• Harbaugh said defensive tackles Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith are “on the precipice of getting more playing time.”
• Harbaugh feels run blocking is improving and physical play is improving. Believes that Jon Runyan Jr. played his best game of the year and that he looks back to normal.
• The team is limiting Zach Charbonnet’s carries and snaps throughout the game as they continue to go backfield by committee. Likes how Christian Turner, Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins has come along and they are excited about how he played.
• Nico Collins had strep throat last week and missed a few days of practice, but was good for Saturday’s game. Donovan Peoples-Jones is not quite 100 percent yet, but say he is starting to resemble his former self. Tarik Black “looked good.” Ronnie Bell is “playing really well” and 13 of his last 15 catches have gone for first downs.
• Shea Patterson was limited during the week, but Harbaugh said he had a great game against Rutgers and threw the ball effectively. “Didn’t show any signs” of injury during the game.
• Harbaugh shrugged off questions about Charbonnet’s health and said physically he still sees the same guy. The team has limited his workload because 33 carries against Army was “a little too many.”
• “In totality, that’s not something we want to strive for with our running backs.” Might happen from time to time, but not part of the gameplan.