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ORLANDO, Fla. — Going into the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama, the expectation was that the heavyweight bout would be between the Crimson Tide offense and the Wolverines defense. However, with soaring expectations for the maize and blue offense, and an Alabama defense that’s been Nick Saban’s worst, struggles on that side of the ball weren’t nearly as anticipated.
After three-straight 300 yard passing games — the first-ever stretch of its kind for a Michigan quarterback — to finish the regular season, Shea Patterson struggled throughout the contest, passing for a more pedestrian 233 yards, having gone 17-or-37 with one touchdown and two interceptions. Patterson struggled to connect with receivers downfield, which is also a credit to Alabama’s defensive backs, who stayed tight with the Michigan receivers throughout.
Still, Patterson readily admitted following the game that he wasn’t terribly happy with his final performance as a Wolverine.
“I didn’t play my best,” Patterson said. “I missed a few throws. Thought I could have calmed my feet down early on in the first and second drive. I felt like I didn’t make enough plays. Not my best game.”
The run game was a surprise, as Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins rumbled for 145 yards, the fifth-most allowed by the Crimson Tide this season.
But running the ball hasn’t been Michigan’s strength as of late — Patterson and the passing game have been.
Still, he put the onus of the loss on himself after noting that ‘the defense played lights out.’ But his misses downfield might have been the difference, especially since Mac Jones on the other side managed to connect with star wideout Jerry Jeudy with impunity.
“It just comes down to making plays and I missed a couple tonight,” Patterson said. “I didn’t make enough of them.”
Now Patterson’s college football and Michigan career come to a close.
It’s not what anyone expected when he came out of IMG Academy as the top-rated quarterback in the county, committed to Ole Miss. Patterson spent two years with the Rebels before transferring to his self-proclaimed dream school after the 2017 season. While he had solid performances throughout his two years in Ann Arbor, he really seemed to have figured out how to live up to his elite billing towards the end, putting the team on his back while tallying big numbers through the air.
Patterson had a chance at jumping to the league a year ago, but it would have been either as a day two or three selection in the NFL Draft. But he stayed, determined to improve himself, the team and everything in between.
But Michigan regressed in the win-loss column, going 9-4 in his senior year and having lost to all of the best teams on its schedule.
It didn’t go the way he thought, the way he hoped. And now that it’s over, Patterson isn’t grappling with his future or next step as much as he is that he just took off the winged helmet for the final time.
“Not sure how to feel,” Patterson said. “Just tried to embrace everything in that last half. Just trying to enjoy my teammates. Just proud to be a Michigan quarterback. As far as anything else, I just want to enjoy my teammates for the last couple days I’m with them.”
Patterson’s 2019 season won’t go down in the memories of Michigan fans as being one of the best. But he leaves Ann Arbor with the second-best single season passing in Wolverines history, as his 3,061 yards through the air surpassed Jake Rudock’s 3,017 mark in 2015.
Perhaps he never quite lived up to his potential, and perhaps he’ll never be a fan favorite. But he always battled, despite the adversity. Having played for two teams and three offensive coordinators, the odds were always stacked against the former five-star. He persevered, but his final performance is one he’d like back.
But the chance to suit up for his childhood favorite team? That’s something he’ll never take back.