With Big Ten play on the horizon, injuries are beginning to mount for Michigan. The Wolverines played without one starting offensive lineman and lost another in Saturday’s 45-17 victory over Eastern Michigan, and two more starters hobbled off with injuries not to return.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said center David Molk appears to be the most seriously injured Wolverine. He left with foot pain in Saturday's second half, and Rodriguez said he fears Molk has a broken foot. Right guard David Moosman, who missed Saturday’s game entirely because of a shoulder injury, is Molk’s backup at center. If Molk can’t play in next week’s Big Ten opener against Indiana, Rocko Khoury likely will get the start. John Ferrara played at right guard in place of Moosman against the Eagles.

Solid play on the offensive line

Despite the shuffling up front, offensive line coach Greg Frey said Michigan's line played well against the Eagles. The Wolverines (3-0) ran for 380 yards and averaged 9.7 yards per carry. “There wasn’t a breakdown in communication,” Frey said. “We got to clean some things up, but you saw a smooth transition, and that’s nice.” Running back Brandon Minor also left Saturday’s game after three carries with a lingering ankle injury, and starting safety Mike Williams missed most of the second half with a sprained ankle. Williams, who wore a walking boot after the game, said he’ll be re-evaluated today but hopes to play against Indiana.

Forcier brings his own crowd

Seven of quarterback Tate Forcier’s former high school coaches made the trip from California to Michigan on Saturday to see their star pupil in action Forcier didn’t have his best game - he was 7-of-13 passing for 68 yards - but Scripps Ranch High coach Sergio Diaz said he likes what he’s seen from the true freshman so far. “To see it happen so fast, I’m not surprised, but I impressed,” Diaz said. “I am impressed. The kid, he hasn’t missed a step.” Diaz and the rest of his traveling party - his wife, Patti, and assistants Mike Moran, Sam Leo, Donn Rodriguez, Jaye Graves, Paul Abrahamson and Mark Monroe - met with Forcier for a few minutes Friday night. He said Forcier spent part of the time sending wish-you-were-here messages to another Scripps Ranch star, running back Brennan Clay. Clay committed to Oklahoma over Michigan during the summer and visited the Sooners this weekend. Diaz said depending on how the visit goes, he could re-open his recruitment with Michigan.

Rodriguez questions a penalty call

Most coaches would be happy with just two penalties for 20 yards. Not Rodriguez. Rodriguez took issue with a pass interference call on cornerback Boubacar Cissoko early in Saturday’s first quarter. The penalty set up an Eastern Michigan field goal. “I wasn’t sure that was a penalty,” Rodriguez said. “I’ll watch the film, but I don’t know if the film can give me a better judgment than what I saw or you all saw or everybody else saw in the stadium. I was standing right there.” Officials told Rodriguez that Cissoko used an arm bar against EMU receiver (and Michigan transfer) Johnny Sears on the play. Replays appeared to show Cissoko with his head turned, making a play on the ball. “I’ll watch the film and reserve judgment, but there were a couple big plays on that,” Rodriguez said. “They’re trying hard, but so am I.”

Eastern Michigan University quarterback Andy Schmitt sits on the bench as a team trainer tends to his injured knee on Saturday. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

Andy Schmitt injures right knee

Eastern Michigan senior quarterback Andy Schmitt left the game in the fourth quarter after his right knee buckled while he was dropping back to pass.

Schmitt, who completed 13 of 22 passes for 97 yards and who ran for a touchdown, was leaning on crutches and had his foot in a boot after the game. Eagles coach Ron English said he did not know what the injury was and would not speculate on its severity.

Schmitt is expected to undergo an MRI on Sunday.

Eastern Michigan plays again on Oct. 3 at home against Temple.

"I don't think it's terrible, but I've never had a knee injury," Schmitt said after the game. "We have a bye next week and so, hopefully, that helps."

Back in the House

Sears spent a few minutes on the field after Saturday's loss, re-connecting with his former Michigan teammates. Sears was dismissed from Michigan's program in 2007 for a violation of team rules. He has maintained contact with several Michigan players in his year away from football and enjoying coming back to Michigan Stadium on Saturday.

"It was still fun even though we loss," Sears said. "I'm never going to play football and not have fun because it's what I love to do. This is a nice football environment - you have to love it. You have the fans, I've got my teammates behind me, and I just love this kind of atmosphere."

- Jeff Arnold contributed to this article.