Hall may start at QB for U-M By JOE LAPOINTE Free Press Sports Wriler ' ANN ARBOR Senior Dave Hall, who was an emergency replacement in last January's Rose Bowl, may be the starting quarterback when Michigan opens its football season, coach Bo Schembechler indicated Thursday. Schembechler said senior Steve Smith, starting quarterback for the last two seasons, has re-injured the right shoulder that was separated in last January's Rose Bowl loss to UCLA. The new injury, a bruise, is not as serious this time, Schembechler said. But Smith has been unable to scrimmage for two days and Hall has been playing quarterback. Smith hurt the shoulder while being tackled in practice. "If we play tomorrow there'd be a change, sure," said Schembechler, whose team begins the season Sept. 10 at Ann Arbor against Washington State. Asked if Hall would be his starting quarterback that day, Schembechler replied: "If Steve is not ready to go, right now I would guess David Hall would be our starting quarterback against Washington State." Asked again if Hall will start the opening game, Schembechler first replied "No" but then added "I don't know. That's possible. Sure. It could be Hall in the opener." Hall, a 6-foot-4, 213-pound senior from Livonia, played occasionally last season, but his most extensive work was in the Rose Bowl. THE WOLVERINES' other major quarterback candidate is sophomore Jim Harbaugh, who has four seasons of eligibility remaining because he didn't play last year. Many have touted Harbaugh as U-M's pass-oriented quarterback of the future. Schembechler said he is satisfied with all three quarterbacks and would not hesitate to use any of them in a game Smith has said throughout training camp that he realizes there is competition for his job. "I think I've got to have a good fall (to keep the job). I've got experience under my belt, but I can't play bad. In spring practice, the other quarterbacks did well." Smith missed most of spring practice with the injury. In his three seasons at Michigan two as starting quarterback Smith has completed 49 percent of his passes, including 29 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. In addition, he has rushed for 1,027 yards on 239 carries. Both his supporters and critics say Smith's strength is his running. Although Michigan has been successful with him as quarterback, many fans booed Smith last season for not connecting more often with flanker Anthony Carter. When someone asked him if he was worried that Carter has finished college football and gone on to the See U-M, Page 3D
