LOS ANGELES — Thirty minutes after the No. 15 Michigan football team gave up 489 all-purpose yards to Southern California in a 31-13 loss, Rod Moore leaned back in his chair and fielded several questions with the same six words.

“We gotta get better at tackling,” the senior defensive back said over and over again.

There wasn’t much else to say.

For all of the pregame discussion of the Trojans’ injured secondary, or their impressive passing game, or the Wolverines’ ability to run the ball, Michigan’s run defense was arguably the most condemning factor of Saturday’s defeat. After holding opponents to 77 rushing yards per game, the Wolverines allowed USC to rack up 224 yards on the ground.

Coming into the contest, Michigan’s defense was allowing 2.41 yards per carry, good for fourth in th

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