TAMPA, FLA. — Nothing like a little competition to bring out the best in a player.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and several of quarterback Brandon Peters’ teammates said Thursday that Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson’s addition seems to have lit a spark in the redshirt freshman, some (senior tackle Mason Cole) going so far as to say he’s developed a ‘swagger.’
Last week, Peters said he ‘didn’t care’ about Patterson’s addition to the roster. This week, the soft-spoken signal caller simply said, “you just can’t worry about it too much.”
“It’s like someone coming into your house and taking something from you,” Peters said after Thursday’s practice. “You’re not going to let that happen. I’m not going to let someone come into my house and take something from me. It’s kind of that mindset.
"I just try to focus on myself and what I can do to get better. When you start worrying about other people, that can kind of throw you off, mess with your mind. I just try to stay away from stuff like that and focus on what I can do.”
Harbaugh suggested Peters grab the job like it’s his and never look back. He’s seen his quarterback elevate his game in response to the challenge.
"He's locked in," Harbaugh said. “He's got laser-like focus going into this ballgame and is practicing well, preparing well. I can't wait to watch him go out and compete in this game."
Peters competed 37 of 64 passes for 486 yards in five games played, with four touchdowns against no interceptions. His biggest disappointment … not being able to play against Ohio State, when he might well have been the difference between winning and losing.
Peters was in concussion protocol after getting knocked out at Wisconsin. He was still having headaches in the middle of the week, and he knew then he’d have no chance to play.
“I was down,” Peters admitted. “I was kind of mad. I wanted to get out there and play against Ohio State. It would have been a great opportunity … I felt like I was letting my team down not being able to get out there and compete.
“I’m not going to say the teams that I got a chance play against this year were bad teams, but playing against a good SEC team, an 8-4 team, being able to have a breakout game and play well, I think I could make a huge statement.”
He’s ‘doing what he’s always done’ in working hard, sophomore tight end Sean McKeon said, and Harbaugh said he’s been good.
“He’s been throwing the ball good … been sharp. His mechanics are getting better and better. Just naturally he's got a lot of talent, and just getting better with the mechanics every time he has an opportunity to go out on the practice field," he said.
"Every rep is great for him because it's one of those positions that you can watch a play and it's always something that you can see to get better at or coach. It’s not nitpicking, it's just coaching. There's always something in a quarterback's play that you can coach or talk about and learn from. Every opportunity he has to go out on the field is great for him.”
And so is the competition with Patterson and freshman Dylan McCaffrey, who is also throwing well according to teammates.
“It put a little fire in him, I think,” McKeon said. “He’s had a great bowl camp. He’s practicing really well. He’s being vocal, being a real leader for this offense. I think it’s great to see. I’m excited to see him play in the bowl game.”
As is every fan of the maize and blue.
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