Michael Taylor (American football) facts for kids

Michael A. Taylor is a former American football player. He was a talented quarterback for the University of Michigan. He played there from 1986 to 1989. These were the last four years that Bo Schembechler was the head coach. Michael Taylor was the main quarterback for the Wolverines in 1988 and 1989. He helped them win the Big Ten Conference championships in both of those years. By the end of his time at Michigan, he was the school's best ever in passing efficiency.

Michael Taylor's Early Life

Michael Taylor grew up in Lincoln Heights, Ohio. His mother and grandmother raised him. He said they taught him to always want to win. He felt he had to do his best to show them how much he loved them. Taylor went to Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio. He led his high school team to a state championship in 1983.

Playing for the Michigan Wolverines

1986 Season: Starting Out

Taylor joined the University of Michigan in 1985. In 1986, he was a redshirt freshman. This means he practiced with the team but played very little. He appeared in 4 games. He ran for 33 yards and scored a touchdown against Illinois.

1987 Season: First Starts

As a sophomore in 1987, Taylor played in seven games. He started as quarterback in two of them. He threw his first touchdown pass for Michigan against Wisconsin. He became a starter after the main quarterback, Demetrius Brown, hurt his thumb. Before this injury, Taylor had completed 9 of 21 passes for 133 yards. Coach Bo Schembechler trusted Taylor. He told the press that Taylor was a "fine quarterback" and "smart."

Taylor started the game against Northwestern. Coach Schembechler focused on running plays because Taylor was new to starting. Michigan ran the ball 50 times for 374 yards. They only passed 5 times. Taylor was the star of this game. He ran for 144 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. He had a 65-yard touchdown run.

Taylor hurt his leg in the Northwestern game. Demetrius Brown recovered and became the starter again. Taylor also started in Michigan's 28–24 win over Alabama. This was in the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl. He completed 2 of 4 passes and ran for 11 yards.

1988 Season: Leading the Team

The 1988 season started with a question about who would be quarterback. Demetrius Brown had academic issues but got back his eligibility. Taylor had missed spring practice due to a hamstring injury. Coach Schembechler was worried. Taylor was known as the best for the "option offense." But he had only completed 41% of his passes in 1987.

Before the first game, Schembechler announced Taylor would be the starting quarterback. He said Taylor "has thrown well, has run well, knows the offense." Taylor started 9 of 12 games for the 1988 Michigan team. They finished with a 9–2–1 record. They won the Big Ten Conference championship. They also beat USC in the 1989 Rose Bowl. Taylor completed 76 of 122 passes, a 62.3% completion rate. He was only intercepted twice.

In the first game against Notre Dame, Michigan ran the ball a lot. They had 52 running plays and only 11 passes. Michigan lost 19–17. Taylor completed 8 of 11 passes for 74 yards. He scored one of Michigan's two rushing touchdowns.

Taylor had his best game in 1988 against the No. 1 ranked Miami Hurricanes. Michigan lost 31–30. Taylor almost led his team to a big upset win. Miami came back to win in the last 5 minutes. Taylor completed 16 of 24 passes for 214 yards. He threw three touchdowns. News reports praised his amazing performance.

After losing the first two games, Michigan went 9–0–1 in their next ten games. One writer said Taylor was much better than before. He understood the offense more and read defenses better. He was only intercepted twice in 122 passes.

Taylor broke his collarbone in the Minnesota game. This happened on the very first play. He had surgery and could not play in the last regular season games. He also missed the 1989 Rose Bowl. Even with the injury, Taylor was the Big Ten's leader in passing efficiency for 1988.

1989 Season: Senior Year Challenges

As a senior, Taylor started 8 of 12 games for the 1989 Michigan team. They finished with a 10–2 record. They won the Big Ten Conference championship again. They lost to USC in the 1990 Rose Bowl. Taylor completed 74 of 121 passes for 1,081 yards. He threw 11 touchdowns in 1989.

Before the season started, there were concerns about Taylor's shoulder. He had a sore throwing arm. Coach Schembechler called it "the great Michael Taylor scare." Taylor said he could throw freely and it didn't hurt. He felt close to 100% healthy. An assistant coach said Taylor had not known how to throw properly until Michigan.

Michigan and Notre Dame were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for the first game. Taylor started against Notre Dame. He completed 5 of 6 passes, including a touchdown. But he left the game after hurting his back. Freshman Elvis Grbac replaced him.

Coach Schembechler wondered if he should have let Taylor play injured. He said Taylor was a "great competitor" and the "leader of our team." Taylor missed the next four games. Grbac played well in his place. Some people wondered if Grbac would keep the starting job.

Coach Schembechler said there was no controversy. Taylor returned to play in the fifth game against Iowa. He played very well. He completed 11 of 15 passes, including 2 touchdowns. He also scored a rushing touchdown. Michigan won 26–12.

Taylor continued to play well. Michigan kept winning with him. Schembechler noted that the offense was better with Taylor. He said Taylor was a senior who made few mistakes.

Taylor had his best game against Minnesota on November 18, 1989. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 231 yards. He also tied a Michigan record with four touchdown passes. Three of these were to Greg McMurtry.

In the last game at Michigan Stadium for Taylor and Coach Schembechler, Michigan beat Ohio State 28–18. Taylor played the whole game. He ran for 57 yards and completed a 5-yard touchdown pass.

1990 Rose Bowl Game

Michigan won the Big Ten championship and went to the Rose Bowl. Taylor was the starting quarterback. There was a lot of talk about him before the game.

An article in USA Today quoted Michigan's offensive coordinator, Gary Moeller. He said Taylor was not a "great physical thrower." But Moeller praised Taylor's smart play. Taylor said he didn't listen to critics and just played his best.

Media also focused on reports that Taylor's right shoulder was sore. Taylor said he didn't care what people said. He would just do his job.

In the Rose Bowl, Taylor completed 10 of 19 passes for 115 yards. USC's defense played very well against him. Taylor was sacked at the end of the game.

Career Highlights and Records

In his three years as a quarterback at Michigan (1987–1989), Michael Taylor completed 163 of 275 passes. He threw for 2,194 yards. He had 17 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions. His career completion rate was 59.3%. When he finished his career, he was first among Michigan quarterbacks in passing efficiency. His 59.3% completion rate was second all-time, just behind Jim Harbaugh.