Concussion for Forcier, but he should be back as starter for Michigan Saturday

October 12, 3:08 PMMichigan Wolverines ExaminerFrank Benson

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Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier AP/photo

Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier will be back in the starting lineup when Michigan hosts Delaware State in its return home to the Big House on Saturday.

Forcier was benched for the final two series last Saturday as the Wolverines were defeated at Iowa, 30-28.

It was also revealed by Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez at a news conference Monday that Forcier was injured with a concussion on Saturday.

“Tate got a little concussion -- I didn’t know that at the time -- he got it on the last play he was in,” said Rodriguez. “He got hit pretty good. Those concussions are day to day, and I don’t think it was a severe one.”

Forcier was not available to speak with the media on either Saturday or Monday.

Rodriguez said Forcier would not attend “a full practice” on Monday but if he has recovered by Wednesday he should be able to start for the Wolverines.

Forcier, a true freshman from San Diego, has started all six Michigan games this year and has thrown for 988 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He has rushed fro 180 yards with two touchdowns.

Forcier has struggled the last two weeks as Michigan has lost two straight, to Michigan State and Iowa. Michigan began the year with four straight wins, after winning only three games all last year.

Forcier has missed practice in the last month because of a shoulder injury.

“We’re very concerned every time we have a head injury,” said Rodriguez

Rodriguez said a member of Michigan’s medical staff told him of Forcier’s injury.

Rodriguez denied a report by the ABC network, which telecast the Iowa game nationally, that there were words said between the coach and his quarterback.

“I was coaching, Tate is very coachaable, so is Denard (Robinson), I don’t know about any of that other stuff,” said Rodriguez.

Robinson is Forcier’s backup at quarterback. Another true freshman, Robinson ran for a touchdown and threw an interception in the game’s final minute to end Michigan’s final chance at victory.

“I said all along I was going to play both quarterbacks and that’s what I’m going to do,” said Rodriguez.

Michigan running back Carlos Brown, who missed the Iowa game because of a concussion, should be able to play against Delaware State.

“These thing aren’t up to me,” said Rodriguez. “If our medical staff says they aren’t ready to play, they don’t play period.”

Rodriguez said in year’s past not as much attention was paid to concussions.

 “It used to be we’d hit all throughout the spring, at double sessions,” he said. “Now they limit it to Tuesday with full pads. When a guy says he has a headache now, we take it seriously. All coaches do.”