Hoke: Denard "should be fine"

Besides the clear lack of armstrength, I think we still know nothing about what Russ can do as a starter. Do I hope Devin or a freshman Morris rise up to take the reigns next year? yes, of course. In a situation like this, whoever comes off the bench when denard goes down is totally screwed --- maybe a few snaps with the first team during the last week?. Nebraska was going to tee off on that person. We were so lucky to have a former starter and generally experienced Forcier on the team in 2010. That is an anomaly. You generally aren't going to have a STAR qb1 and a rock solid backup.

So, 2 things:

(1) I disagree with those saying that Gardner should have been the guy. Nebraska's still going to tee off on the run, without even the faint hope of throwing to a guy like himself on the outside. Gardner's not really seemed all that comfortable or competent in his past mop-up duties. Add to that that he clearly HAS NOT PRACTICED AT A QB--- my guess is he has taken literally zero snaps in weeks, despite the coachspeak indicating that he takes reps here and there. I take my chances with the proclaimed back-up, and maintain the off-chance that a 6'4 athlete like Gardner can make a play from the receiver standpoint.

(2) I don't think we can crucify Russ until we have to see him play after a week of preparation to be the starter. Yes, he doesn't appear to have much of an arm, but on many of those throws against nebraska, he looked like he just had no idea what the play was supposed to look like or where he was supposed to throw.

Much more often than not, at ANY level, a backup QB in the game = death. On the positive side, Bellomy's tackle was fucking impressive.

Basically debunks all the speculations that DG's shoulder injury was what kept him from the QB job last Sat. We all know separated shoulder or simiar injuries don't heal overnight. DG should be our 2nd string QB on the depth chart and  should start taking more snaps no matter how Denard feels. We learned this hard way.

Do you think that it would be that bad for Belomy to get a week to know he is starting?  If he is the presumed starter next year wouldn't you like some real playing time first?    Hopefully Denard is good next week, but if not the sun will still come up and we will still beat Minnesota.    Remember Nick Sheridan beat Minnesota.

One thing I can applaud Bellomy on was his effort on one of his interceptions. He sprinted to make a TD-saving tackle and the defense ended up giving up only a field goal after that. If we would have had some kind of an offense, that could have been a play that changed the game.

Perhaps we should expand our QB recruiting to more than Shane.

As were other Michigan fans in attendance and fans throughout the country, I was baffled as to how Devin Gardner was never put in.  Sure Bellomy is the back-up and Gardner hasn't practiced, but  Bellomy was horrible.  He has a poor delivery, had no confidence, and looked ready for the game to end.  Even if Devin hasn't been practicing at quarterback, he should have been put in.  He is quicker, stronger, and more confident.  He has played on the road before and would not feel as much pressure.  Furthermore, Nebraska would not put as much pressure on Gardner as they know he could not have been intimidated by the "blackshirts."  It is baffling that Gardner needed to put in.  Bellomy stunk.  This reminds me of 2008 when both Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet stunk, yet Rich Rod never gave David Cone a chance to play.  Absolutely baffling.  And then don't get me started on Rawls not playing.

Glad to hear denard is doing a lot better, hope he's at full strength by the end of November. Does any know what type of injury he had during the game? He wasn't able to grip a ball from what the announcers were saying. I'm assuming its an ulnar nerve injury. 

While that sounds good and he may be ready to start against the gophers, this injury has me worried.  I'm no doctor but I get the feeling this is the type of injury that isn't going to completely heal until the off-season and could easily be re-occuring (sounds like this is what made him leave the Illinois game). 

My big concern now is will he be able to finish games?  Since UM has no rushing attack unless Denard is carrying the ball, he's going to be taking hits.  I'll be surprised if in any of the next 4 games he doesn't have to come out because of the elbow.