Griese will be starter Saturday against Buffs

Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr announced yesterday that fifth-year senior Brian Griese would start at quarterback against Colorado on Saturday.

"I have decided, and Brian Griese will start at quarterback for Michigan on Saturday," Carr said.

The announcement puts an end to the speculation and questions surrounding whether Griese or junior Scott Dreisbach would start at quarterback for the season opener. The questions began to emerge after the Wolverines', 17-14, loss to Alabama in last year's Outback Bowl.

After the loss, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said that he did not want to start a quarterback controversy for next season.

Although Dreisbach had started the entire 1996 season, he struggled toward the end and was replaced by Griese for the Outback Bowl. Griese's numbers were good against the Crimson Tide but not stellar, and even though Carr wanted to avoid a controversy, that's exactly what he got.

Carr finally made the announcement yesterday, three days after he said that he had reached a decision but declined to release the name of the starter.

Griese said that Dreisbach sprained his right wrist in practice and is wearing a cast that will be removed tomorrow.

Griese said that Carr told him he would start over the weekend.

"I kind of had a feeling that I was going to be the guy," Griese said. "I'd been taking some more snaps in practice, and I felt good about the way I was playing.

"We (Scott and I) talk everyday. He's been kind of nicked up, so hopefully he'll be all right for Saturday, if need be."

For the past two seasons, Griese and Dreisbach had flip-flopped as the starting quarterback.

Dreisbach went down with a thumb injury in practice after leading the team to a 4-0 start during the 1995 season. Griese replaced him, and the Wolverines went on to end the season with a 9-4 record, including a 31-23 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State.

But then Griese hit a plateau. In fact, Carr said that he was displeased with Griese's development from the end of that season through the spring.

"Quite honestly, I wasn't very pleased with Brian's progression from that point to the end of the season," Carr said. "I just didn't think he came along like I thought he would."

Dreisbach regained his starting spot for the 1996 season, but he, too, encountered problems after another 4-0 start.

He struggled as the season progressed, physically and mentally. He actually dropped from 212 pounds to 198 before the Outback Bowl. Dreisbach started the last regular season game against Ohio State but left with an elbow injury with the Wolverines down, 9-0.

Griese came in and once again directed the Wolverines past the Buckeyes, 13-9, in Columbus.

"I was playing well at the ned of last season, and all I wanted was a chance," Griese said. "I wanted to carry that over, play hard and continue to do well during spring ball."

Although Griese graduated last May, he returned for his final year of eligibility, so Carr encountered four quarterbacks in spring practice that each had a legitimate shot to start.

Redshirt freshman Jason Kapsner and sophomore Tom Brady were legitimate choices to start, and many thought that Kapsner would get the nod despite the experience Griese and Dreisbach racked up over the past two seasons.

Carr said yesterday that although he was displeased with Griese from the end of 1995 through 1996, he had noticed improvement on and off the field this season.

"You look at a quarterback in terms of the qualities he brings to the position," Carr said. "I am looking for a guy that can lead the team, and I think we have two or three guys who can do that. But Brian has had an excellent fall. I think he throws the ball well, he makes good decisions and I think he understands the mark of a quarterback is getting your team into the endzone, reaching the goal and being able to direct them late in the game when you need to win the game.

FILE PHOTO
Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr announced yesterday that fifth-year senior Brian Griese will start at quarterback against Colorado on Saturday, kicking off Michigan's first game of the 1997 season. Last season, Griese only started against Alabama in the Outback Bowl.

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