Will Johnson’s record-breaking pick six highlights defensive impact

Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale saw it coming.

His star cornerback, junior Will Johnson, had hardly been targeted all game, but No. 13 Southern California’s passing offense was steadily gaining ground. Trojans quarterback Miller Moss had picked apart the Wolverines’ secondary coming out of halftime, driving 75 yards down the field to the end zone on 10 pass plays and just two rushes.

Moss was poised to do it again, completing two short passes to begin USC’s next drive. But Johnson was watching and waiting — waiting for his moment to strike.

“It was crazy, before that drive, Wink said, ‘You know, they keep testing him over there. He’s gonna bait him. He’s gonna pick one,’” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore recalled Monday. “And all of a sudden, he’s gone. I’m like, ‘Oh, dang, Wink, he predicted it.’” And dude just jumped the route.”

Johnson leapt in front of Moss’s intended receiver, intercepted the pass and took it 42-yards to the house. He made the play look routine even though it was anything but. For Johnson, it was all born out of preparation. He studied the film and executed when it mattered.

“It really was just instincts,” Johnson said Monday. “Just getting the feel for it throughout the game and just knowing the way they were moving the ball throughout the game, things they liked throughout the week. Just preparation, knowing the kind of things they liked on certain down and distance. And then once I really saw it, just trusting and believing in it and going to do it.”

If Johnson’s play on Saturday against the Trojans looked familiar, it’s because he’s done it before. His first pick six came last season against Minnesota when he beat a receiver to the spot and easily intercepted the pass. There was no one in his way as he waltzed 36 yards into the end zone.

Then, a mere few weeks ago in the Wolverines’ first game of the season against Fresno State, Johnson pounced on a quick pass to the flat and returned the ball 86-yards for a touchdown. With his third career pick six on Saturday, Johnson broke the Michigan record.

“He’s a tremendous worker, tremendous person, humble,” Moore said. “Just does it all the right way, and he studies the game. He’s always in here watching film, always doing things to get a competitive advantage. And the kid just loves it.”

Johnson certainly loves getting interceptions, and he loves scoring points — especially in big moments. Against the Golden Gophers, his touchdown put the first points on the board for the Wolverines just 12 seconds into the game. Against the Bulldogs, he scored the last points of the game, giving Michigan momentum and cushion as the game was becoming too close for comfort.

Finally, his record-breaking pick against USC proved vital in the Wolverines’ narrow, three-point win. He put valuable points on the board and regained some momentum for his team in a crucial moment.

“At that time, we needed a play to be made,” Johnson said. “So that was the mindset as a defense. We went out there. I mean, it’s on us. We got to find a way to get the ball and score. If we don’t let them score and we score ourselves, there’s no way they win the game.”

In one play, Johnson changed the course of the game. He subsequently exited due to injury, so he had to watch the rest of the action from the locker room. From afar, he got to see his offense step up in a big moment just like he had. And he got to see his team win a big game, knowing that his pick six was a big reason why.

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