ANN ARBOR - Tate Forcier could be on pace to set an NCAA record - for headlines devoted to a true freshman quarterback.

Publicity first arrived in fall camp as Forcier jockeyed for University of Michigan's starting spot. It did not cease once the season began as there was a shoulder injury and memorable fourth quarter drives, some in which Forcier played brilliantly, another in which he did not play at all.

And now attention is being centered on a concussion Forcier suffered in Saturday's fourth quarter against Iowa.

Coach Rich Rodriguez said he does not think the injury is severe and that if Forcier is able to practice fully by tomorrow he will start in Saturday's home game against Delaware State.

"Concussions are kind of day-to-day," Rodriguez said. "I don't think it was a severe one but he still has a headache today."

Rodriguez did not learn of the injury until after his team's 30-28 loss, meaning it had no bearing on his decision to bench Forcier in the fourth quarter. With Forcier sidelined, Denard Robinson led UM on a touchdown drive before ending the game with an interception.

"I was putting in Denard anyway," Rodriguez said.

The injury could have come at a worse time as the Wolverines (4-2, 1-2) are set to play arguably their weakest opponent, a Championship Subdivision member with a 1-3 record. Surely, Forcier's injury will be a major topic all week but his status for Saturday could be uncertain until game time as reporters are banned from Wednesday practices after a media outlet disobeyed the program's rules by posting specific information regarding personnel and formations. Furthermore, Rodriguez has not always been forthcoming in his weekly injury report. For example, last week Carlos Brown (concussion) was not listed on the Thursday report and did not play against Iowa. Brown will be fine this week, according to Rodriguez, who also said Forcier's status will ultimately be determined by team physicians.

"The doctors and trainers tell us each day and each week who's available and who's not available," Rodriguez said. "We would never put somebody out there who's not 100 percent."

Rodriguez said Forcier was not bothered by his ailing throwing shoulder Saturday.

Concussions have been of interest around college football since Florida's Tim Tebow suffered one recently against Kentucky. Rodriguez attributed a possible increase in such injuries to an enhancement in the game's physicality because of faster and stronger players, along with more adequate ways for a doctor to diagnose a concussion.

"They asked you a question back in the old days and if you didn't answer it right they'd say this guy isn't very smart," Rodriguez said. "Now they say he didn't answer the question right because he has a concussion."

CISSOKO: Rodriguez offered more insight yesterday into the suspension of cornerback Boubacar Cissoko, saying "academics are part of it but not all." Cissoko, who began the year as a starter, did not travel with the team this weekend.

"Playing football is important to him, and I think his academics are important to him - but to what level?" Rodriguez said.

Minus a man in the secondary, the chance of true freshman Justin Turner playing for the first time is not ruled out. The Massillon, Ohio, native, considered one of the gems of last year's recruiting class, traveled with the team to Iowa.

"He's traveling and he's still in our thoughts," Rodriguez said.

NO BAGS: Bags of any size will be banned from Michigan Stadium for the Wolverines four remaining home games, a restriction that was also in place for UM's most recent home game against Indiana. The decision comes despite no specific threats, the university said in a statement. Exceptions will be made for medical equipment and medicine with written permission from a medical professional.

Contact Ryan Autullo at: rautullo@theblade.com

or 419-724-6160.