Michigan Makes Change at Quarterback Ahead of Big Game

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The No. 18 Michigan Wolverines (2-1) have made a change at quarterback. Junior Alex Orji will be the new man under center for the Wolverines. After three underwhelming games from senior Davis Warren, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore decided to move along. However, after the 28-18 win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-1) on Sept. 14, Moore underplayed the struggles at quarterback, saying, “I wouldn’t call them an issue.” 

Warren Unimpressive for Michigan

Warren’s year has been less than impressive for the defending national champions. Through three games, he went out and completed 48-of-72 passes for 444 yards, 2 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Orji came in against Arkansas State after Warren threw his third interception when the Wolverines were up 21-3. “Davis was playing good, but you can’t have those turnovers,” Moore said when talking about the change at quarterback, “put the ball in harm’s way too many times, so (we) made a change and we’ll go from there.”

A Change Was Needed

Orji came in during the final minutes of the third quarter and went 2-for-4 for 12 yards and a touchdown. Moore and the Michigan offensive coaching staff appeared uncomfortable with allowing Orji to make plays in the passing game. The play-calling went into full conservative mode, getting Orji to hand the ball off to running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. While the Wolverines were up big, might it have been best to let Orji get some “tune-up” pass plays before his first start on Sept. 21? Moore praised Orji with his play against Arkansas State, saying, “Orji went in there and did a good job, (I) thought he controlled the offense pretty well. We’ll go from there.”

A major test awaits the Wolverines on Sept. 21 against the No. 11 USC Trojans (3-0) at Ann Arbor, Mich. Heading into their first Big Ten Conference game, the change at quarterback is one that fans should hope will spark the offense. The real spark plugs are at running back with Mullings and Edwards, but the run game can only carry you so far as an offense. This is especially true if you are a team with hopes of being one of the 12 teams to compete for a spot in the national championship game.