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Michigan QB Joe Milton talks battle for starting job in 2020, just ‘working and get better’
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Joe Milton is a backup quarterback at Michigan. The man in charge of the Wolverines’ offense right now is Shea Patterson.
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Patterson has spent a long time in the world of college football, and after he takes on Alabama in the Citrus Bowl on Wednesday, Jan. 1, he will have no eligibility left. So, who’s next at Michigan?
It is actually supposed to come down to a battle between the backups, Milton and Dylan McCaffrey. On Monday, Milton — a redshirt sophomore — talked more about that potential quarterback battle and becoming the man at Michigan:
“It’s not just because (Shea’s) leaving,” Milton said. “Ever since he stepped on campus we’ve all just been working. Now that I know he’s leaving, it’s all work still. Everybody’s goal is to be the starter, but my goal is to keep working and get better. There’s always room for improvement. So I just keep doing that.
“At the end of the day, I’m going to keep working if I’m the starter or I’m not the starter. So if I find out I’m not, it is what it is. I’m going to keep working.”
More from Milton, talking about learning from Patterson:
“It’s a very difficult challenge, just watching others play,” Milton said. “It’s not what I’m used to, but at the end of the day you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I’ve learned a lot from Shea and I’m still learning from him. So I’ll take his game and my game and put it together.”
He also talked about the potential of transferring:
“(I’ve looked to) God. I haven’t looked anywhere else,” Milton said. “I’ve remained humble and true to God. Nothing’s been on my mind to go somewhere else. If you stay patient and humble, it’s going to come one day.”
Milton has completed 6-of-11 passes for 117 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during his first two years in Ann Arbor. He also has rushed for 47 yards and two scores.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.