Shane Morris will be only the third QB in Michigan Football history to start a bowl game as a true freshman

When Shane Morris leads the Wolverines today in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, it will mark only the third time in the 134 years of Michigan Football that a true freshman has started a bowl game at Quarterback.  In fact, only five other Michigan quarterbacks have ever started a game during their true freshman season. They are:



 

• Rick Leach- 1975: 11 games including the 1976 Orange Bowl
• Rich Hewlett- 1979: The M/OSU game
• Chad Henne- 2004: 12 games including the 2005 Rose Bowl
• Ryan Mallett- 2007: 3 games
• Tate Forcier- 2009: 12 games

It should be noted that of the two above-mentioned quarterbacks who started bowl games (Leach and Henne), neither were able to secure a victory.  Leach and the Wolverines lost in the 1976 Orange Bowl 14-6 to the eventual National Champion Oklahoma Sooners.  As for Henne, he and his teammates came up just short in a classic 38-37 battle against Texas in the Rose Bowl.  Therefore, if Morris can lead Team 134 to victory today in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, he will be the first true freshman in Michigan Football history to quarterback the Wolverines to a bowl game victory! Go Blue!!!