ANN ARBOR - Tate Forcier’s throwing shoulder is hurting, but the University of Michigan freshman quarterback is expected to start Saturday when the No. 23 Wolverines leave Ann Arbor for the first time this year to play Michigan State.

UM coach Rich Rodriguez said yesterday morning Forcier would likely be rendered to handing the ball off and throwing short passes in the afternoon practice session. Forcier is expected to participate fully in today’s practice.

“I don’t know if it’s a bruise or just a sore shoulder,” Rodriguez said. “He’ll do some practice today - he may not do everything - and then tomorrow he should be OK.”

The injury seemingly occurred late in Saturday’s 36-33 win over Indiana when Forcier was driven to the ground hard after releasing a pass. After momentarily leaving the field, Forcier returned and connected with Martavious Odoms on a 26-yard touchdown completion, giving UM a decisive lead with 2:29 remaining. Earlier in the quarter, Forcier scored on a 7-yard run when he left his feet at the 1-yard line and made an acrobatic move to extend over the pylon. He followed with a successful conversion run, bouncing off a defender at the 1, spinning, and crossing the goal line.

LOCAL’S ANGLE: The official who ruled on Donovan Warren’s controversial interception in the fourth quarter Saturday was none other than Lucas County Sanitary Engineer Jim Shaw. When contacted by The Blade, Shaw cited Big Ten procedure stating he cannot speak to the media. The Big Ten did not return a phone call seeking comment on the play.

Following UM’s go-ahead touchdown with 2:29 to go, Warren intercepted a pass intended for Damarlo Belcher. Some believe Belcher controlled the ball when he and Warren fell to the ground. Shaw, the officiating crew’s umpire, stood a few yards from the interaction and immediately ruled that Warren had possession.

Indiana coach Bill Lynch was livid on the visitor’s sideline but a replay challenge upheld Shaw’s decision.

Warren said he’s had to defend his stance of intercepting the pass several times over the past few days but is not growing tired of such conversations “because we got the W.”

“I caught the ball and his arms actually got caught between mine,” Warren said.

Shaw is in his first season with the Big Ten after spending seven years with the Missouri Valley Conference and four with the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

OH BROTHER: It was two years ago when then UM running back Mike Hart referred to Michigan State as the Wolverines “little brother” and his comment resurfaced yesterday when Warren was asked about exacting revenge on the Spartans, who won last year’s affair 35-21.

“We talk about [seeking revenge] a lot,” Warren said. “That’s just like, I don’t try to use the comparison, but your big brother, little brother getting into a fight and him beating you up. You have to do whatever you have to do to win the fight and get your revenge back.”

Is Warren willing to head down Hart’s path and take a verbal jab at the rival?

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “We’ll see on Saturday.”

ACCESS DENIED: On a typical week, media members are permitted to watch the first 20 minutes of Wednesday’s practice. But with this being a rivalry week, Rodriguez is completely shutting off access to outsiders. He’s doing this for two reasons - to illustrate to his team the importance of this week, and because there’s a slight risk someone with ties to MSU’s program could abuse his or her practice access by relaying information to the Spartans’ coaching staff. If you’re into conspiracy theories, then maybe you believe Rodriguez is doing this to hide a Forcier injury that’s more serious than is being revealed.

“Not that I don’t trust anybody out there, but [UM and MSU are] so close to each other [in proximity] and with coaches being paranoid, I guess it’s just us now,” Rodriguez said.

Contact Ryan Autullo

at: rautullo@theblade.com

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