Denard Robinson's feet have quite a reputation.

The Michigan junior quarterback plays every snap during a game with untied shoes, and spends most of that time using those unlaced shoes to dazzle defenders and onlookers with his ability to scamper around, through and in-between just about anyone crossing his path.

But as a passer so far this season, Robinson's feet have been saddled with a far less flattering reputation. One he admitted to be true Wednesday.

"I get happy feet," Robinson said.

Through three games this season, the electric Michigan quarterback has struggled to fully adapt to the nuances of offensive coordinator Al Borges' pro-style passing game.

Robinson has completed less than 50 percent of his passes this season and outside of several big plays against Notre Dame has struggled to move the offense consistently through the air.

He says that the biggest reason for that so far this season has come from the very same pair of feet that make him one of the country's most dangerous athletes.

"Right off the top when I see (on film) I've made a (bad) throw, it's because of my footwork," he says. "I have to keep getting better at it and keep doing it."

Borges defended Robinson, saying that he needs to do a better job of putting his quarterback in spots where he's able to complete more passes. A mission he felt he better accomplished during the second half of a win over Eastern Michigan last Saturday.

But with that, he also admitted that Robinson's footwork has been a lingering issue. And it's an issue he feels will be fixed, but not overnight.

The first-year Michigan offensive coordinator said that Robinson's footwork struggles aren't anything new. He says that some of his past quarterback pupils, notably San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley, experienced similar growing pains.

"We never assume that they just know (proper footwork) and stop (coaching it)," Borges said. "There's been some drastic improvement in some areas, it's just that the consistency isn't where it's supposed to be. When he does it and does it right, he can sling it.

"And once (a quarterback gets it), they get it. It all seems to come at once."

As far as Robinson's success under center as opposed to shotgun? Borges says that's something he charts week to week and added that regardless of how quickly the run-first signal caller adapts to the Wolverines' new pro-style packages, they'll never stop running spread looks.

"He poses a threat to the defense as a runner best in the shotgun, so it's always going to be part of our offense," Borges said. "We're going to find a way, somehow, some way, to be a balanced football team. We're going to keep working toward that."

Robinson has happy feet, he knows that. And now, he'll have to do something with those feet he's never done before: slow them down.

"I'm just trying to get used to (the new offense), and that takes time," he said. "Practice makes perfect."

Robinson getting used to celeb status on Twitter After opening a Twitter account nine days ago, Robinson had more than 25,000 followers as of Wednesday afternoon.

Asked if he was enjoying his life on Twitter, Robinson laughed and said it really wasn't a big deal.

"I don't even know how to tweet," he said. "I just made it, I don't know."

Robinson said he's careful about how he uses his account. He's only posted 13 messages to date and doesn't "say crazy stuff."

And about the more than 25,000 follower email notifications?

"I sent it to an email that I don't use a lot," he laughed. "Let's just say that."

Gordon, Herron available for Saturday

Hoke said Wednesday that injured linebackers Cam Gordon (back) and Brandon Herron (leg) are available for the San Diego State game on Saturday.

Gordon has yet to play this season, while Herron has missed the past two games after earning the Big Ten's defensive player of the week award following a two-touchdown performance against Western Michigan in the season opener.

Asked if Gordon, the team's projected starter at strong-side linebacker, would start Saturday, Hoke said that it wasn't likely.

"He's been out a long time, but he did everything (Tuesday) and so did Brandon," he said. "So we'll just go one day at a time."

Hoke went on to compliment the play of redshirt freshman strong-side linebacker Jake Ryan, who made two starts in place of Gordon and has collected eight tackles (two for a loss).

"I think Jake's done a couple good things, he's nowhere near where he will be as a player being just a redshirt freshman," Hoke said. "But he's done some good things."

Keep on singing

Asked why he looked upset Saturday when the team ran to the student section to sing "The Victors" after beating Eastern Michigan, Hoke said it was because the squad failed to score a touchdown on its second to last drive.

And any frustration had nothing to do with the fact that the team carried out its tradition of singing the fight song with the students in Michigan Stadium.

"That's fine, students are important and I hope they get there early (this week)," Hoke said. "We'll need a lot of noise."

Odds and ends

Hoke said freshman quarterback Russell Bellomy has done a nice job of simulating San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley in practice this week. In addition, redshirt freshman tight end Ricardo Miller has spent the week mimicking SDSU tight end Gavin Escobar. ... On Tuesday, freshman kicker Matt Wile said he successfully made a 59-yard field goal in practice recently. On Wednesday, Hoke confirmed that if the situation occurs, he has no issue with sending Wile out for a field goal of 50 yards or more.

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.