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Posted on Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 3:01 p.m.

Tate Forcier to start vs. Notre Dame, but Michigan will stick with quarterback rotation

By Dave Birkett

Michigan's quarterback rotation worked so well Saturday that Rich Rodriguez plans to use it again.

At his weekly press conference Monday, Rodriguez said true freshman Tate Forcier will make his second start this weekend against No. 23 Notre Dame barring “a really bad week of practice.”

TD.jpgFellow freshman Denard Robinson will continue to play off the bench, and Rodriguez said he hopes to get junior Nick Sheridan some snaps as well.

“It’s more of a week-by-week feel thing, just like it was Saturday,” Rodriguez said. “I’m not going to have a set rotation per se, but we’ll continue to do the next several weeks what we did this past week.”

Forcier had a stellar debut against the Broncos, throwing for 179 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-7 victory. He led four first-half scoring drives, and added 37 yards rushing before leaving for good late in the second half.

Robinson ran for a team-high 74 yards against Western Michigan and scored on a 43-yard run, and Sheridan played one series, relieving Forcier in the third quarter and throwing an interception in the end zone.

“I’ve not had a true freshman start, so it was a new experience for us,” Rodriguez said. “The physical part, when he did make a mistake - and he did, as all the guys do at times - he knew right away what it was. And so when you know that’s happening, you know his mind is into the game and he’s thinking the right things.

“He’ll keep getting better, as will Denard and the rest of those young guys. That’s the most pleasing part. We’re still a very young team and we’re going to make mistakes, and this is going to be a bigger challenge because of the talent that Notre Dame has.”

Rodriguez said Forcier is more comfortable under center than most freshmen because of his upbringing. Still, Michigan is operating without a large chunk of its playbook.

“There’s so much more you can do offensively as those guys grow up,” Rodriguez said. “Right now, and any coach will tell you, you got this amount of offense you can use and as they understand and grow you can use this much more. But you don’t want to trick yourself. We don’t want Michigan beating Michigan. We’re hoping to slowly add some things and it really depends on the development of all the guys, but particularly those young quarterbacks.”

As for the rotation, both Forcier and Robinson said they're OK sharing snaps and expect to continue splitting time for the foreseeable future.

“I like it because I believe it’s hard for a team to prepare for us,” Forcier said. “You got speedster over there that’s unbelievably fast and you got me where I’m kind of balanced and Nick, where he’s kind of balanced. With all three of us playing, I’m completely fine with it, as long as we keep winning.”

Fresh approach
It’s believed that Forcier was one of just three true freshmen to start at quarterback for FBS schools over the weekend. USC’s Matt Barkley completed 15 of 19 passes for 233 yards with one touchdown in a 56-3 romp of San Jose State, and Army’s Trent Steelman was 2 of 5 for eight yards in a 27-14 win over Eastern Michigan.

Two other true freshmen - Wyoming’s Austyn Carta-Samuels and Boston College’s Dave Shinskie, a 25-year-old who played professional baseball with the Minnesota Twins - led their teams in pass attempts, according to STATS, LLC.

Dave Birkett covers the University of Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidbirkett@annarbor.com

Comments

willievrine

Wed, Sep 9, 2009 : 11:08 a.m.

Lefiest; RR need all teh fan support he can get and he will lost it if he starts a black quarterback. I find it incredible that someone would make a statement like that in this day and age. Perhaps youve never heard of Dennis Franklin who was a starting black quarterback for the University of Michigan from 1972-1974. Bo never lost fan support for starting him. Under Franklin UM only tied with Ohio State for three straight Big Ten Titles and was First Team All Big Ten quarterback in 1974. If I were Shoelace and Devon Gardner or the advisers to those kids, I would seriously consider attending a historical black college. Youve got to be kidding. Should Vince Young have gone to a historical black college instead of leading the University of Texas to a BCS Championship? Should Troy Smith have gone to one instead of winning a Heisman Trophy at Ohio State? Should Penn States Daryll Clark have gone to a historical black college instead of leading the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten Co-Championship last year? In 2006 Floridas starting black quarterback, Chris Leak, shared playing time with then freshman Tim Tebow and netted the Gators a BCS Title. By your thinking Leak should have gone to an HBCU (Historical Black College/University). I have no problem with HBCUs. I got my Bachelors degree from one (Wilberforce University). I also got my Masters from Central Michigan University or a white university as you would call it. I do have a problem with someone who tries to minimize the contributions of black athletes at the collegiate level. I hope this post does not get removed as it could serve as a teachable moment to those who share those outdated, antiquated feelings.

KeepingItReal

Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 2:51 p.m.

I hope that Shoelace does not allow RR to convert him to a WR or a slot player. The kid got too much talent. It's going to be hard for Shoelace to start a game inthe future becauseof Tater's performance against Western. RR need all teh fan support he can get and he will lost it if he starts a black quarterback. If I were Shoelace and Devon Gardner or the advisers to those kids, I would seriously consider attending a historical black college. Those colleges would love to have a palyer of that caliber and they could do so much for those schools. Please don't say that playing at the U or any other historical white university will improve their chances of making the pros. Those kids have so much talent that the pros will seek them out regardless of where they play if they get the chance to play.

Goblue

Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 1:09 p.m.

Thanks for your genious tater its much appreciated lol however... I was refering to RWbill's comment "maybe next year there will be another Tate-like QB frosh". I was simply pointing out that we "might" already have one. And of course a kid in high school doesnt help us "this year". GO BLUE!!!

blueiniowa

Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 10:43 a.m.

First of all, it is refreshing to see a UofM comment section actually get moderated. Thank you Tony. I can promise you this section will be exponentially better than what MLive ever had by just this fact alone. Maybe some of the more productive posters of the past will find their way here and feel like contributing again. RW-- Although I do consider your injury concern legitimate, I disagree that we should keep Robinson on the shelf. This kid is a remarkable talent that needs and deserves PT, and PT will go a long way to help him refine his still unfinished game. I am sure he is ambitious and also wants to eventually play on Sundays. Keeping him off the field will deprive MI of his x-factor, and will lead to his eventual transfer. RR has a problem coaches love to have, but it is a problem nonetheless. I just don't picture Robinson being happy spending this season, let alone the next three, as Tate's understudy. Also consider the injury argument as to why we need to keep Denard fully engaged. If Denard sticks to a 'run first' mentality and has to play a whole game, we're going to have some problems. So RR, please keep giving Denard some snaps. Hammer it home that he must look to pass first, and see what this young man can turn into. From what little we have witnessed, am I being too myopic to think we might be looking at another Vince Young?

friend12

Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 10:19 a.m.

It was nice to see an offense that seemed to flow as a unit especially when Forcier was QB. Robinson has a real problem looking for open receivers. He is an amazing runner, but, he has a real bad tendency to want to run instead of staying back and looking for an open receiver. It would be interesting to see both lined up side by side with the defense guessing at who will get the ball. That would be really interesting if Robinson can start showing he has patience and consistency in the passing game.

willievrine

Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 10:18 a.m.

Starting Forcier is a good call. No way should D-Rob be sitting on the bench. You cannot develop a qb from the sidelines. D-Rob should run from pass formations. I think he will be more effective on broken plays the way Vince Young and Troy Smith used to do.

maizenbluenc

Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 6:01 a.m.

Nick is supposed to be the experienced QB with good decision making. They were ahead. They were in FG range. His receiver was in double coverage...

stevieboy

Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 4:25 a.m.

I agree "Tater" as much as I would like for Devin Gardner to be on the team next year, we don't have a LOI so we can't just count on him being here. But so far his decision looks solid. I would like for Michigan to have more talented depth in QB position because the spread can also get the QB hurt too. We would need some talented backups for Tate & DRob. I see Sheridan getting some playing time, but mostly by calling plays in for the coach.

tater

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 7:12 p.m.

Devin Gardner can't help this year. Also, at this time last year, we "knew" that Shavodrick Beaver was going to Michigan. Gardner isn't a sure thing until the LOI comes in.

Goblue

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 7:02 p.m.

Your forgetting about Devin Gardner. He has already committed. Kid is a stud... GO BLUE!!!!!

azwolverine

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 5:08 p.m.

RW, good assessment. Denard is by far our best option after Tate and we need to make sure at least one of the two of them is healthy. Denard does not yet appear to be a great passer, but his ability to run makes defending his passing game more difficult than anything Sheridan might bring to the table.

RWBill

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 3:44 p.m.

I say resist the tempatation to start using them both on the field at the same time. Injuries are very possible and we need Denard ready to step in at QB, not Nick. Maybe next year there will be another Tate-like QB frosh and we may decide to move Denard to a RB or Slot Receiver to get him more touches. Think of this, Shoelace gets hurt than all we have is Nick as back up to Tate. Let's not tempt fate.

RWBill

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 3:44 p.m.

I say resist the tempatation to start using them both on the field at the same time. Injuries are very possible and we need Denard ready to step in at QB, not Nick. Maybe next year there will be another Tate-like QB frosh and we may decide to move Denard to a RB or Slot Receiver to get him more touches. Think of this, Shoelace gets hurt than all we have is Nick as back up to Tate. Let's not tempt fate.

OneWolverine

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 3:17 p.m.

Yeah I think a WILDCAT option would be the wise choice for Robinson. There is too much raw talent there to go to waste! I just hope RR see's this and capitalizes on it! "GO BLUE" oh by the way where is all the NAY SAYERS now? Gosh ya gotta love seeing a peek preview of the future of Michigan Football! :>)

bigblue

Mon, Sep 7, 2009 : 3:01 p.m.

of course richrod wants to see sheridan on the field because if he is on the field MICHIGAN will be winning by a couple of touchdowns already. tate is clearly the best option. robinson is a good change of pace plus he is a threat not just at QB. i would expect to see tate and denard on the field at the same time a little more this week. GO BLUE!