Michigan center David Moosman prepared to settle in for good

By this stage of his life, David Moosman has adjusted to moving from place to place.

Born in The Netherlands, the Michigan senior center jumped around the map as a kid, spending time in Lake Minnetonka, Minn., and Memphis before his family settled in suburban Chicago.

Moosman has been on the move again the past eight weeks, shifting from guard to center after David Molk missed time with a foot injury. He moved back to his original spot to start last Saturday's game against Penn State only to be thrust back to center when Molk tore his right anterior cruciate ligament.

So much for staying in one place for long.

"Those were five good plays," Moosman deadpanned on Monday, a day after Molk learned he would miss the remainder of the season with the torn ACL.

"I think (center is) going to be a full-time job from here on out."

The move back to center comes in the wake of Michigan's 35-10 loss to Penn State when the Wolverines struggled in every facet. Moosman found himself included in the failings, struggling to settle into the position while also sending a snap out of the back of the end zone in the first half, resulting in a Nittany Lions safety.

Now as Michigan's center for the rest of the season beginning with Saturday's game at Illinois (3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN), Moosman's mentality has to shift back to the grounded, reliable anchor that serves as the nerve center of Michigan's offensive line.

"You really need to bring it together and you can't get amped up as you did (as an offensive guard)," he said. "You need to be calm and collected."

That's where another aspect of Moosman's past comes in play. In elementary school, Moosman played on a national championship chess team, establishing himself as a premier player.

Moosman discovered chess in first grade, learning its disciplines and appreciating the thinking-man's nature of the game. He once described offensive lineman as pawns - pieces on the board that often factor into the final result.

Now Moosman realizes his mental toughness will be challenged the rest of Michigan's season.

"I think I've screwed up just about everything you can at center, and I can't do that again," Moosman said. "So I've gotten all the bad things out of the way and so only good things (will happen moving) forward."

Despite losing Molk, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday that Moosman's experience at center softens the blow. With Molk back at center, Michigan's running game appeared to improve early against the Nittany Lions before finishing the 25-point loss with 110 rushing yards.

And while Rodriguez has faith that Moosman can help fill the void left by Molk's injury, he knows there will be some impact.

"We can minimize that with the other guys stepping in and playing well," Rodriguez said. "You would be really nervous if you were putting a guy in there that hadn't taken any reps at all."

With so much riding on the offensive line as Michigan attempts to be come bowl eligible Saturday against Illinois, Moosman knows he's got to play a big role.

"You have to make sure every play is the same, you have to make sure everybody hears everything on every play because you never know when that play's going to be the big one," Moosman said. "You just need to stay calm and make sure you get your job done.

"You just have to take it one play at a time, one step at a time, one move at a time and you can't leave anything out on any play because you never know what's going to be the pivotal moment."

Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554.