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ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – Shea Patterson was quick to make a comeback in Michigan.
"I have never been so comfortable," he said.
The Wolverines (2-1), ranked 19th, earned an average of 47 points in the unbalanced wins of the past two weeks, largely because their quarter was very accurate and effective.
Michigan is determined to take a small step forward to end the 14-year-old Big Ten drought by defeating home winners Nebraska on Saturday (0-2) in the first match of both teams.
Patterson has thrown three touchdown passes in each of the last two games, scoring 74% of his passes for 362 yards and a total of one interception against Western Michigan and SMU.
"Shea has seen the field well," said coach Jim Harbaugh. "Accurate shots on time, getting good protection in most cases. The receivers across the board caught football, separating, opening and finishing games.
"It has been positive," he said.
Patterson turned a potentially negative situation, playing for Mississippi's under-probation, into something good by transferring to Michigan.
"I developed a lot as a person and as a quarterback," he said. "I think coming here has really improved a lot and better informed about football".
Nebraska, meanwhile, hopes that quarterback Adrian Martinez will play for the first time since he injured his right knee late in the season.
How close is the first year to being able to play?
"Very close," said coach Scott Frost on Thursday.
Although Martinez progressed, Frost said it was not that easy.
"Again, it's not just" Is he ready to go? Frost said. Is it: Is he ready to go both mentally and physically until he can protect himself in the game and make sure he stays healthy? "
If Martinez is not allowed to play, Andrew Bunch, second in the category, will make his second start in a row. The group was 19 of 27 for 177 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in last week's loss to Troy.
Here is more information on the game between Nebraska and Michigan:
GOOD TO GO
Michigan assistant coach Jay Harbaugh said he hopes semi-finalists Karan Higdon and Chris Evans will face the Cornhuskers.
Higdon was ruled out of the Mustang game with an undisclosed injury and Evans did not finish the match due to an undisclosed injury.
ALL HANDS REQUIRED
Frost is looking for a wider receiver production to complement Stanley Morgan Jr. and JD Spielman against the man-to-man defense of Michigan. The pair accounted for 19 of 23 receptions receivers through two games.
"These guys play a lot of men, and they will face us," said Frost. "You have to win and now we trust Stanley and JD to win. We need more guys to intervene. It hurt us a bit at the end of the games, the last two, because we had to play Stanley and JD a lot. Everyone would be tired as much as we play these guys.
Find a fit
Ben Mason arrived in Michigan last year as linebacker, but he has become a long distance player and loves him.
"It's the epitome of football," said Mason. "You get to do a little bit of everything."
Mason had career highs with three rush attempts for 6 yards and scored in last week's win over SMU.
Play games
Nebraska linebacker Mohamed Barry said a match against Michigan could be a deciding match for a player at his post. Barry scored 12 tackles in the opener against Colorado and led the team with 15 tacklers despite his rejection in the second quarter against Troy.
"It's a first-seven match," said Barry. "We have to hit them in the mouth and play Blackshirt football."
Discharge
Nebraska aims to avoid its first 0-3 since 1945. The Cornhuskers have lost six straight games, dating back to last season, for the first time since the 1957 closure with seven losses.
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