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Posted on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 5:40 p.m.

Tate Forcier named Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week

By Dave Birkett

The honors keep coming for Tate Forcier.

The true freshman was named Davey O'Brien Award Foundation's national Quarterback of the Week Monday, two days after he led Michigan to a 38-34 upset of nationally-ranked Notre Dame with a last-second touchdown pass to Greg Mathews.

Forcier, who passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 70 yards and another score, was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week on Sunday.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday that Forcier is his starter, though an "or" remains between his name and those of Denard Robinson and Nick Sheridan on Michigan's official depth chart.

"Obviously, Tate played very well," Rodriguez said. "He made a lot of mistakes, but he certainly played well enough for us to have him take the first snap again.

"Denard, he didn’t play a whole lot Saturday, but every day he gets a little better and as he continues to progress in the offense he’s going to be more and more of a factor. And then Nick’s there as well. But the two freshmen are the guys that you see every day get a little bit better, and Tate, obviously his performance in the last game was pretty solid."

The Davey O'Brien Award is given annually to the nation's top quarterback. This year, a fan vote comprises 5 percent of the selection process. Semifinalists will be announced Oct. 26, finalists Nov. 23, and the award will be presented Dec. 10.

To vote, go to: www.VoteOBrien.org.

Comments

hotsauce_gm

Thu, Sep 17, 2009 : 11:19 a.m.

Forcier for Heisman... http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/contests/theheismanvote/2009/

DSGProdman

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 : 9:42 a.m.

TF has showed incredible decision making skills. The most impressive thing in his game so far has been the way he looks down field when he scrambles and then makes accurate, smart passes on the run. It breaks the defense down. Seems more talented than Pryor between the ears. Only problem is that he's not that big. Can his body take a full season of getting hit? They've got to get D. Robinson game ready. Hopefully against Eatern and IU he'll get some quality reps.

Nailman

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 3:43 p.m.

RR needs to seriously consider moving Denard to slot. Can you imagine the damage he would do. I know qb is his position but it looks like playing time will be an issue if Tate continues playing this way. Denards speed & game breaking ability needs to be on the field on every play. GO BLUE

Stephen

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 1:05 p.m.

I haven't seen other coaches doing that. Pete caroll's not talking up Barkley's backup. if he's planning on installing robinson over the long term, then yes it makes sense. If not then it's just setting Robinson up to be frustrated and disappointed when he doesn't get to play much over the next few years.

Goblue

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 11:19 a.m.

Seems to me that he is just trying to keep his backup qb happy. Should he just name Tate the starter for the next for years and let Denard transfer. He is an excellent coach and he knows what he is doing. That should be obvious to all by now. Go Blue!!!

richagain

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 11:17 a.m.

Tate would of had 6 TD's against Western if the game wasnt a blowout. ND is a great team, I dont see them loosing again this year. Well, shouldnt lose. Although Charlie will proabably make them lose at least 1. Richagain 2009

Stephen

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 11:13 a.m.

RR seems like he's planning to replace Forcier with Denard Robinson as soon as he can. I just don't understand why he keeps talking down Forcier and talking up Robinson. Tate should be the unquestioned starter at this point.

bigblue

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 9:46 a.m.

actually, i think there considerd cmu sites now!..LOL..

Goblue

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 8:56 a.m.

Tate Forcier is a freshman who has only thrown 5 td's and rushed for 1 in two games. Michigan fans were not the only ones who voted for him to receive this honor. To ohiowolverine...just so you know..boulderlion is not an Ohio State fan. He is an upset Michigan State fan. You can see his posts all over MSU sites. STAY CLASSY ANN ARBOR! GO BLUE!!!

Dave Birkett

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 12:56 a.m.

Boulder, I don't moderate the comments so I'm not sure what was taken down. As for the Forcier-Pryor debate, interesting article on SI.com by Stewart Mandel. Forcier has played well - he's really opened my eyes but it's a little early to ordain him. Pryor is as physically gifted as any QB in college football, though his passing acumen needs improvement. It'll be fun to watch these two develop the next two years.

richagain

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 10:58 p.m.

Can you say Joe Montana or Fran Tarkenton with more speed wAy to go rich, 2009 big10 camps UM 38 USC 37 rose bowl champs/big10

kingky

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 10:33 p.m.

Nice call Tater. Everyone was saying RR was unable to spread the field with a passing game, and or downfield threat...huh, what I saw Saturday was Tatertot picking apart the irish secondary....a secondary everyone claimed to be one of the best in the country. Also...did anyone here manti teo's name called at all?? I think I missed that. GO BLUE!!

tater

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 9:50 p.m.

Wolverine73 wrote: "Tate Forcier has given all of the Michigan faithful a reason to believe that 2008 was just a bump in the road in the return to national relevance and prominence." I believed it last year. You can't win in the Big Ten with a QB who wouldn't be able to start in the MAC. I predicted, before the season, that UM would go 9-3 this year. A lot of people who were saying 6-6 or worse laughed at me. I don't think that prediction is looking as funny to them now.

Txmaizenblue

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:43 p.m.

"He made a lot of mistakes", "was pretty solid." Come on coach give the kid some props! Perhaps, RR's trying to keep his head from getting too big, but honestly did he really make "a lot" of mistakes? If he did, I can't wait to see a game where he only make a few. Yep, sure enough. Here come the "ND was over-rated, as always" comments. The truth of the matter is it really does not matter what the Irish were ranked. Rankings fall by the wayside in rivalry games. What's clear is both of these teams are much better than they were a year ago. Both of them clearly demonstrated dramatic improvement.

wolverine73

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:41 p.m.

Tate Forcier has given all of the Michigan faithful a reason to believe that 2008 was just a bump in the road in the return to national relevance and prominence. For someone his age to be so poised and cool and exciting in the heat of the game is truly amazing but, as he said, " he was raised to handle this and expected good things to happen. " Now I'm glad we didn't get Pryor who isn't progressing quite as well as one would have expected in his second year. GO BLUE!!

UMthicknthin

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:23 p.m.

Good for Tate. He played an excellent game. Boulderlion, This is a national, not a Big 10 award. He won it, and your QB didn't. By the way, how'd your team fare this weekend?

ohiowolverine

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:03 p.m.

BoulderLion, you must be an OSU fan. Mad because TP didn't turn out to be the second coming of Christ like everyone from OSU claimed. Nick can pass better than TP can All in for Michigan, Go Blue, Wear Maize!

hotsauce_gm

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 6:55 p.m.

I'll take Forcier over Pryor any day. Thank god he chose to go to osu.

tater

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 6 p.m.

Funny how those who say that RR doesn't like to throw the ball have suddenly disappeared.

Jon

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 5:14 p.m.

TF is the best freshman QB in the country, even better than that kid at SC. I want Michigan to face SC in the next couple of years and kick the Trojans hineys. Beating them along with OSU, will make me one happy little wolverine...