Tate Forcier may be a freshman, but he acts and plays nothing like it
ESPN was on Tate Forcier’s television in the preseason and the freshman paid attention, couldn’t stop listening. Over and over again he heard it, how a freshman would make a lot of mistakes at quarterback and that Michigan would have to wait a little bit longer to return to prominence.
If he rolled his eyes and shook his head, well, could you blame him? He was the guy they were talking about after all. And all Forcier wanted was to be not like anyone else.
“I was like ‘Nah, I’m not going to be that freshman. I’m going to be different,’” Forcier said. “That’s my goal, just to be different. I don’t want to play like a freshman. I want to play like I’ve been here two, three years.”Not a problem. After Saturday, that’s been done. If last week was the poise display of Tate Forcier, this week showed his guts. Never mind that he is sore, that there were hits he felt he shouldn’t have taken.
He got up.
Michigan, with him, got up.
His final drive, taking Michigan down the field for a game-winning touchdown that moved the Wolverines up in the national consciousness.
What Forcier did in that drive, completing six of seven passes with the game-winning touchdown, is what makes legends in college football. He kept glancing at the clock, knowing he had time left, the timeouts left. He slithered between Notre Dame defenders and through a scheme that was designed to throw everything possible at the young quarterback. Heck, Irish defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta said as much this week.
He survived. Playing in front of his father for the first time at Michigan, he thrived. And he even shook off a sack and a dropped pass by LaTerryal Savoy that he threw on the run and into the middle of his No. 82 jersey to scramble out of the pocket and find wide receiver Greg Mathews for the game-winner.
Two games in, Forcier seems headed down that path. Teammates are stunned how he plays, how he acts, how not much fazes him. He said he feels like he's already been in Ann Arbor for years, not months.
And well, how he doesn’t play anything like a freshman.
“Tate’s a unique individual,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “Some guys, when everything’s going crazy around them, you can see them change their personality and Tate’s just the opposite.”
What might have rattled him the most Saturday had nothing to do with football. After he finished talking with the media, he jogged outside to try and point out his parents for a visitor. He walked outside, saw the sea of people and went ‘Whoa.’ And he couldn’t find him.
On the field, he’s as calm as can be. He makes jokes in the huddle. Doesn’t take himself too seriously. Sometimes, it seems to others that he doesn’t take much seriously at all.
But he’s taking his football seriously. And he’s made some serious strides to removing the ‘freshman’ from his usual description.
“It just motivates me,” Forcier said of hearing the freshman talk. “If somebody says I can’t do it, I’m going to do it. It’s a motivation thing. It keeps pushing me.”
And it’s what he’s going for, especially since it’s obvious to everyone now that he is Michigan’s starting quarterback.
He wasn’t perfect Saturday. He threw his first career interception. He missed a couple of receivers. He forced another throw or two. But he finished 23-of-33 passing with two touchdowns, one interception and 240 yards.
And he also left with something else, with something much more important.
He left with another win.
“Probably the greatest game of my life,” Forcier said. “But I’m young, so I’m sure there might be a better one.
“But it couldn’t get any better than that.”
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan sports for Annarbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
jetbluespecial
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 10:54 a.m.
I just want to say one thing.... I am glad Pryor did not come to Michigan!!! We have a real QB that we might not had if the guy down in Columbus had come to Ann Arobor. Thanks for not coming to AA TP!!!
UMthicknthin
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 3:18 p.m.
I'm amazed at how Tate has learned the system, and doesn't get rattled. He played a great 2 minute drill to win the game, and he's only going to get better.
trufan
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 2:39 p.m.
I heard that Matthews ran the wrong route on Forcier's interception (ESPN article on Forcier). This makes his performance even more commendable. Don't know why Fowler and Herbstreit from ESPN are drooling over Barkley from USC when McKnight carried the team over OSU. Forcier showed more poise in UM's victory and was the better Freshman quarterback story. He was clearly the MVP, especially in light of injuries to Hemingway and Stonum. My props also to Greg Robinson and the defense for adjustments in the second half and key stops. Given the lack of depth on D, I think the defense did what they needed to, to contain a potent ND offense. ND will give defenses fits this year given the talent at their skill positions and by the shear size of the O-line. I don't think they can be stopped (even by a well-seasoned defense)-- only contained. Robinson had a good plan. Very happy for Rich Rodriguez. Always believed in him and will continue to. The tough job in the coming weeks will be to keep the team focused and to keep them from becoming complacent. Youth + Complacency = Upset in the making.
Snaker
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 1:29 p.m.
All I know is I'm glad T.P.(Charmin) didn't come last year, cause if he would've we might not have Tate.
wolverinesrockdahouse
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 10:51 a.m.
What poise this young man carries on the field. It seems the offense is working as a unit and they're having fun!! Our defense played okay, I think Robinson was experimenting with trying to cover the continually threat of the pass, which I commend. ND has some serious offensive weapons. Robinson will make some adjustments with the cornerbacks and safeties. But let the offense roll!!! What a FAST team we have...
rreidannarbor
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 8:26 a.m.
....and when he made one of his few mistakes on the interception at mid-field he just pushes it aside and comes down the field in the final 2 minutes hitting 6 of 7 and the final 5 yard toss to win the game with 11 seconds remaining. Not many Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors can say that they had that kind of game and that kind of opportunity. Being a great QB has as much to do with between the ears as the physical abilities. Forcier has both!
Txmaizenblue
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 12:24 a.m.
Incredible game! This kid certainly has that "IT" people talk about. He just seems to know what to do and how best to do it. This makes the future look very bright. On a negative note. MR. ROBINSON what are you even thinking??? HOW CAN YOU KEEP BRINGING A THREE MAN RUSH - WHEN IT DID NOTHING ALL DAY ACCEPT ALLOW ND TO MOVE THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD?? Almost EVERY time you brought a blitz and put pressure on Clausen it worked! I was going nuts watching this thing play out. Where was all this aggressive defense we were told about?? I see it when you bring more than a 3 man rush, but the problem is you DO THAT FAR TOO MUCH. USE WHAT WORKS!!!
uminks
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 11:42 p.m.
I've haven't been this impressed by a freshman QB since Rick Leach in '74. Henne was good but was only playing because of an injury to a projected starter. I would like to see some playing time for Robinson in the next couple weeks. Especially if we can get big leads on EMU and Indiana. Robinson needs to throw more and be in for a few consecutive series. May be he can play the 2nd half against EMU.
Frank99
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 11:21 p.m.
Question: What's the difference between Mike Rothstein and a random man on the street who's never seen a football game? Answer: A random man on the street would have gotten at least one out of two games right.
tater
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 10:48 p.m.
Can we let him keep his full eligibility but make him a de facto senior?
theseeker
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 10:13 p.m.
We have witnessed the debut of a star... He seems to make everyone around him play better. And for a freshman he plays well within his abilities.
Kubrick66
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 9:42 p.m.
Hey, Rothstein... Looks like you might have to pick Michigan next week!
azwolverine
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 9:35 p.m.
I'm just happy to have him as our QB. WOW!