Tate Forcier, Darryl Stonum named Big Ten Players of the Week
Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier and receiver Darryl Stonum were named Big Ten Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for their performances in Saturday's 38-34 win over Notre Dame.
Forcier completed 23-of-33 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 70 yards and another score. He was 6-of-7 on the Wolverines' game-winning touchdown drive, and found Greg Mathews for the go-ahead score with 11 seconds left.
Stonum returned a kick 94 yards for a touchdown - Michigan's first kick-return score since 2005 - and helped down a key field-position-changing punt inside the Notre Dame 5 by tapping the ball backwards just before it bounded into the end zone.
Forcier, a 68-percent passer in his first two career starts, is Michigan's first Offensive Player of the Week since Chad Henne won the award in 2007. Before Forcier, Henne was the last true freshman to start a season opener for the Wolverines.
K.C. Lopata was the last Wolverine to win the special-teams honor last year.
Iowa safety Tyler Sash and Minnesota linebacker Nate Triplett were named co-Defensive Player of the Week.
Comments
Jon
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 1:27 p.m.
Notre dame is so full of hubris it is sickening. This program celebrates victories over tomato cans the way USC celebrates BCS wins! They are a joke and no longer relevant in college football, they need to rehire Lou Holtz, just to give some credibility. He probably would take the job. Be that as it may, Michigan is back, they have athletes in abundance who are maturing and growing every game. RR said it best, stay humble and hungry! Within two years the maize and blue wins the mythical BCS national championship if not sooner. Nuff said.....
crayzee
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 12:16 p.m.
In response to "willievrine" -- an old friend who happens to be a huge State fan always has this to say about the UM-ND game: "I root for a 0-0 tie with lots of injuries". Perhaps the same can be said for next week's MSU-ND game.
81wolverine
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 11:30 a.m.
Many congratulations to both players who deserved their honors. They both played much better than their experience level at Michigan would predict. Tate is an unusual talent for someone who's only a freshman. It's so refreshing to see a Michigan QB make such great judgements on the field, make key 1st downs happen, and run out of the pocket while making big throws. And Darryl Stonum stepped up big to fill in for Junior Hemingway. He earned more playing time in my opinion. Go Blue and let's keep winning!
Theresa Taylor
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 10:55 a.m.
FANTASTIC PLAYS!!! A star is most definitly born - Tate Forcier.
Ross
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 10:52 a.m.
What an amazing game. My voice is still shot here Monday morning from screaming all game long. Very pleased with the increased noise in the big house; it was actually a factor in that game, as ND had several delay of game penalties and abrupt timeouts when it was clear they couldn't communicate the play. Also pleased with the maize out, the geriatric crowd is finally getting the message. It looked great from the blimp shots. Ha! Gotta love RichRod frantically trying to keep his team on the sidelines after the final TD. No reason not to enjoy MSU and OSU getting beat, since that's what happened, but I really have to believe its better for UM if our conference wins out... big 10 looking soft doesn't help anyone.
willievrine
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 10:45 a.m.
Notre Dame plays MSU this Saturday and I don't know which team I want to lose he worst. Which ever way it goes it will be a happy day. Hey, Toledo might even upset the Buckeyes!
michboy40
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 9:59 a.m.
Look how Matthews runs across the end line and gives the ball to the official before celebrating with his teamates!!!! Thanks RR, and the whole team, for not showboating the way your competitor was doing every time they scored.
ohiowolverine
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:58 a.m.
Michigan back in the top 25, OSU, MSU, and N.D. loss, what a great time to be a WOLVERINE fan. All in for Michigan, Go Blue, Wear Maize.
KenCooper
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 5:45 a.m.
As soon as Forcier was interviewed post-game, my teenage son mentioned Forcier will become the new J.J. Redick. You know, the cocky star who partisan fans adore and everyone else despises - and who seemingly is around forever!!! Congratulations to Coach Rodriguez and the entire Michigan Program on a wonderful victory. Go Blue!
tater
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 4:55 a.m.
One nice performance in a marquee matchup on national TV and UM is getting positive publicity again. They made it back into the top 25 and two players got Big Ten honors. That is enough to make it a great week, even if you ignore the fact that ND, MSU, and OSU all lost. But it wouldn't be any fun to ignore that, so I won't.