Michigan has a decisive quarterback for the change against Ohio St



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ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – Shea Patterson's parents took him for a sushi dinner and to see the movie "Overlord", hoping to move Michigan's quarterback away from his relentless preparation for the biggest match of his life.

"We have not talked about football," said Sean Patterson during a phone interview Wednesday. & # 39; & # 39; It was just nice to see him sitting with his mother and eating popcorn. We wanted to give him a break in his film studies. & # 39; & # 39;

No. 10 Ohio State also watched movies, including what Patterson did with the Wolverines, ranked fourth, this season. The Buckeyes are seeing a double threat quarterback that looks nothing like the players Jim Harbaugh had under the center of the previous three years – all winners of the Ohio State.

"In recent years, they have not had a defending quarterback like him," said the defensive tackle of the Buckeyes, Dre'Mount Jones. "It creates its own new dynamic that we need to worry about."

The Wolverines have the preference to win Saturday in the Horseshoe – where they have not won since 2000 – at least partly because of an off-season win that allowed Patterson to play right away. He decided to leave Ole Miss nearly a year ago for Michigan, but he had to wait until April to find out that the NCAA had acceded to his request to play this season instead of moving on a year.

"It was a scary and frightening time," recalls Sean Patterson. "I think what he did made him a harder and stronger man, which allowed him to enjoy even more every moment with his winged helmet."

With the help of lawyer Tom Mars, the call was won for Patterson – and the Wolverines.

"The best part of the experience for me was getting to know Shea and his family," Mars wrote in a text message. & # 39; & # 39; And then, let's look at what Shea has accomplished with his teammates this season – match after game. I missed none, and I will be in the stands at Columbus Saturday. "

Patterson, a former five-star rookie from Toledo, Ohio, has decided to leave Ole Miss after the NCAA sanctioned the football program with penalties for breaking the rules under the orders of the former coach Hugh Freeze. The penalties included a ban on bowl play for the 2018 season. Patterson and other players argued that they had been misled when recruited by coaches and coaching staff. Miss Ole about the nature of the NCAA inquiry.

Patterson insisted that he did not think much about the appeal process these days, but acknowledged being grateful to win it.

"I'm really lucky to be able to play for the team," he said.

Harbaugh was also lucky. In his fourth year at the helm of the most successful college football team, he desperately needed a quarter that made the difference to change.

Patterson delivered. He is one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and could be mentioned as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy if he can help Michigan defeat the Ohio State for the second time in 15 years. .

Patterson completed 66 percent of his passes for 2177 yards with 18 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He can throw from the pocket or on the move the game called or the one he improvises.

"I can not say we've repeated some of the things that happen in a game, especially the times when you see him scrambling and throwing on the body and on the court," said coach Pep Hamilton. Deputy Chief of Michigan. . "I creak almost every time that happens, but it seems to be coming out of the good side."

Patterson ran for 255 yards and two goals, guarding the ball after simulating transfers in play games that have become more and more effective.

& # 39; & # 39; You need him to make a game, he does, &; said Harbaugh. & # 39; & # 39; That it's about running or running or not turning a bad game into a worse one. He has a good feeling, talent and energy for the game. I love his concentration. I love its intensity. & # 39; & # 39;

Harbaugh said Patterson would be an NFL quarterback. According to a report, Patterson is expected to enter the NFL draft after the season instead of staying in school for his senior season and then be part of a stronger class of NFL hopefuls.

"It's completely wrong," Sean Patterson told The Associated Press. & # 39; & # 39; We did not talk about his entry into the project. And when Shea makes the decision that suits him best, it has nothing to do with the competition because he was never afraid of that. The only thing he's currently focusing on is a Big Ten Championship. "

And if Patterson's parents did not take their son away from Schembechler Hall on Tuesday night for a few hours, he'd be more likely to watch more movies.

"It's a guy who loves movies," Hamilton said. & # 39; & # 39; He likes to watch movies. & # 39; & # 39;

Mitch Stacy, Sports Editor at AP Sports, contributed to this report.

More AP University Football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

Follow Larry Lage on Twitter at https://twitter.com/larrylage

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