Forcier benched as Michigan's late rally against No. 12 Iowa falls short

October 11, 8:11 AMMichigan Wolverines ExaminerFrank Benson

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Brandon Minor scores Saturday at Iowa. AP photo

Michigan’s football team was in position to pull off the upset at No. 12 Iowa on Saturday night, as the clock was ticking down, but a key player was missing.

Tate Forcier, the true freshman quarterback, had done it three times before this season. His late rallies scored wins over Notre Dame and Indiana and another late rally tied Michigan State in the final seconds.

But on Saturday, when Michigan took the field with 1:30 to play, 83 yards from the end zone and no time outs on the clock, Forcier was on the sidelines.

The score was Iowa 30, Michigan 28. Another freshman, Denard Robinson, was in the huddle.

Robinson had replaced Forcier on an earlier series and had driven the Wolverines to a touchdown with 3:16 to play when he ran it in from three yards out. But this time Robinson tossed an interception with 46 seconds to play by Iowa’s Brett Greenwood and the Hawkeyes ran out the clock. And just like that it was over.

After the game, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez was hit with more than a few questions about the move to Robinson.

“We made a change to get a spark,” he said, and added that Forcier was supportive of the move. “I’ve said it for six games now. Denard Robinson will play. We were looking for moments to put him in and it didn’t happen. But at the end we thought we had pretty good field position, and put Denard in there, had a plan in there and he gave us a spark. End of story. Let’s not create something that’s not there.”

Michigan falls to 4-2, 1-2 in Big Ten play. Iowa is 6-0.

Michigan committed a season-high five turnovers, including an interception by Forcier, who was 8 for 19 passing for 94 yards.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was not surprised by the move of Michigan quarterbacks.

“Forcier’s really proven himself to be a magical guy,” he said. “But Robinson didn’t look too bad on the series prior. We were having a hard time with him. I don’t question that one at all.”

The game’s scoring began on the second play from scrimmage when Michigan defensive back Donovan Warren intercepted a pass and ran it back 40 yards for a touchdown.

Brandon Minor ran for 100 yards and two scores for the Wolverines, on a one-yard and a three-yard carry. Tight end Tony Moeaki, who had been struggling for Iowa, had a big night with two touchdown receptions

. Michigan punter Zoltan Mesko had his best night of the season for the Wolverines, with a 53.8 average on five punts, including a 63-yarder. Brandon Graham led the Michigan defense with nine tackles and two sacks.

Michigan returns to the Big House next week to face non-conference rival Delaware State.