Now former Michigan quarterback and one-time savior of the program, Tate Forcier will be taking his talents to South Beach.
Forcier, and the University of Miami announced today that the current sophomore will request financial aid so he can enroll at the the "U" immediately. He'll have to sit out in 2011, but will still have two years of eligibility come 2012.
Forcier, at one point was thought to be the guy who would resuscitate the sinking Michigan football program. He started all 12-games as a freshman, leading the Wolverines to a 5-7 record. He was beaten out last year by freshman phenom Denard Robinson.
The 'Canes, for their part can use the help. New coach Al Golden faces a rebuilding process as well, the "U" hasn't lived up to their self-imposed lofty reputation much of late either. Maybe Forcier can be part of that rebuilding program.
Here's a highlight reel from 2009, back when the Michigan faithful thought Forcier was their guy. How quickly things change:
Well, because, we have already... and what you've thought of, we've probably heard...
67-65, three overtimes, Illinois missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, the game was played at Crisler Arena, wasn't it...???
Yup... heard them all... and from folks more experienced than you at this...
It was the highest scoring game in the history of Michigan football- 132 points. The previous highest scoring Big Ten game also involved Michigan. They shut out Michigan Agricultural College - now known as Michigan State - 119-0 in 1902.
The last FBS game to produce more points was when Navy beat North Texas 74-62 on November 10, 2007, according to STATS, LLC. The previous Michigan record for total points wasn't nearly as dramatic, beating West Virginia 130-0 in 1904.
Roy Roundtree had a field day on the Illinois defense- he had a school-record 246 yards receiving and two TD's.
As most of us at the HQ can attest, being on the sidelines at football games can really put your life into your hands...
I'll let Brothers Phil, Wilkie, and J-Dub elaborate on their own issues, but my instances come to two. One was at a Florida-Florida State game at the Swamp one year where my shooter ((FOSG Keith Williams, currently working in DC)) wore his garnet-colored t-shirt alerting the faithful where he went to school and made a point to scream as he walked along the 20-yard line:
"This is MY house!"
The other was when I was shooting a Brown-Dartmouth game a long time ago in Providence. They didn't have the sidelines marked as most colleges do now. But let's just say that when the Mean Green ran "student body left" two times in a row right at me, you can see a winter coat stiff-arm some poor college kid the second he cleared the out of bounds marker on the videotape.
**From Bro. Phil**--In 20 years of shooting sports, only 2 incidents of serious contact. One was at a Georgia football game in 2003. Shooting in the end zone and UGA WR Fred Gibson comes crashing into the back of the end zone, the result of being blocked. Gibson hits me and bounces backwards 3-yards on his back into the end zone. Me, I fell into the hedges and never went down. (Me 6-5, 240, Fred 6-3 180).
Two was at an Orlando Magic game back in the early 90's when Derrick Coleman slid into me on the baseline...again, even though he was bigger, he somehow got the worst of it....
Which brings us to WXYZ-TV/Detroit Sports Director Don Shane ((pictured at the moment of impact, thanks WXYZ their ownselves))
He took Tate Forcier's helmet right in the chops at some moment in the latter stages of overtime. Shane's head hit the turf, and he had his lip cut wide open- good enough for four stitches.
Here's his postgame with Tate Forcier where the Wolverines QB realizes just what he's done...
Shane got a full range of concussion tests, and he's okay so far...
We salute your fortitude, sir...
((J-Dub update)) Here's XYZ sports anchor Tom Leyden's take on the Forcier hit on his boss...
Freshman Larry Caper ran for a 23-yard touchdown in overtime to give Michigan State a 26-20 win over No. 22 Michigan on Saturday for the Spartans' first consecutive victories in the series since 1967.
Chris L. Rucker had intercepted Tate Forcier in the end zone on the Wolverines' overtime possession to keep Michigan (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) from scoring.
Forcier had led the Wolverines on yet another last-minute touchdown drive to tie the game at 20-all with 2 seconds left in regulation.
Michigan State (2-3, 1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak. They won three straight over Michigan from 1965-67.
Here's FoxDetroit's coverage, it's all Woody and a foggy Ryan Ermanni...
Notre Dame erased an 11-point 4th quarter deficit only to see Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier throw a game-winning touchdown pass to Greg Matthews with 11seconds left in the game as the Wolverines beat the Irish 38-34 in a thriller at the Big House in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
The game ended with some confusion as the Irish appeared to let the kickoff roll out of the end zone untouched, meaning they should have the full 11 seconds left. But only nine seconds were on the clock when the Irish snapped the ball and time ran out after a completion to Golden Tate.
Charlie Weis was not happy, trying to gain an explanation from officials as to why the clock was set at nine seconds instead of 11. Replays showed the ball was touched by Irish returner Theo Riddick during the kick, thus the reason two seconds ran off.
Forcier was 23 of 33 for 240 yards, two touchdown passes and a touchdown run. "I don't get nervous," Forcier said after the game about keeping his composure in the final minute of the game. "I've been preparing for this my whole life. It's unbelievable. I'm speechless."
Notre Dame drops to 1-1 on the season. They will host Michigan State next Saturday at the Stadium.
Angelo DiCarlo and Jeff Jeffers have team coverage from inside in South Bend and outside in Ann Arbor... ((HT: NBC 16/WNDU))
Those of us at OSG HQ wonder just how hot the rather-large seat Charlie Weis is sitting in is now...
