Two weeks after passing his way to a late-game victory against Notre Dame, Tate Forcier was at it again this week against Indiana.
This game was a battle throughout, and Michigan found itself trailing on 4 different occasions during the game. It was surely no cake-walk for the maize and blue in this one.
However, once the fourth quarter arrived, Tate Forcier appeared poised to pull this game out. Forcier accounted for 14 out of 15 Michigan points in the fourth, including a 7-yard touchdown run where he leaped over the goal-line with no concern for his body; only his team. Although the play should have ignited the Michigan defense to get a stop, it did not.
On the following possession, Indiana scored immdiately when their running back, Darius Willis, went 85 yards to the house, as he regained the lead for the Hoosiers.
Trailing by 4 with just under 9 minutes to play, Forcier knew that it was up to him to lead the charge and help Michigan retake the lead. Luckily for Michigan, he was able to do just that, despite having a bruised shoulder. On a 3rd and 8 on the Indiana 26-yard line, Forcier was able to connect with Martavious Odoms in the endzone to regain the lead by 3 points.
On the following possession, the Wolverines were able to pick off a pass by Ben Chappel to seal the deal and win the game.
Even though Forcier’s numbers were not spectacular (11/21 184 yds 2 td 1 int), he played huge when it counted the most. Despite being a freshman quarterback, Forcier is showing that he has the mental makeup to deal with the pressure situations in an extremely calm fashion.
The Wolverines are now 4-0 and heading into their first road game against rival Michigan State. Coach Rich Rodriguez is hoping that Forcier and company can take an early lead and not need to rely on another miracle by their freshman quarterback to remain undefeated. By the way things have been looking thus far, though, I’m not so sure that Forcier feels the same way.
Filed under: NCAAFB
