Last week, Michigan football made a significant quarterback switch, starting Alex Orji against #11 USC, and the Wolverines came away with a big victory. Though Orji only threw for 32 yards, it was expected that Michigan would rely heavily on their running game, which they executed effectively to secure the win. On Monday, head coach Sherrone Moore confirmed that Orji will remain the starter.
Originally, Davis Warren was Michigan’s starting quarterback, known for his passing ability. However, his issues with turnovers led to him being benched. Orji, in contrast, protected the football well, and his mobility adds a new dimension to Michigan’s offense, solidifying his role as the starter moving forward.
“Alex [Orji] will be the starter again,” Moore told On3. “There’s more to his game, and we’ve added things to complement him and the offense. He did a great job taking care of the football, which was our top priority. He ran hard when asked, and I’m proud of his performance.”
Michigan’s offense thrives on the running game, and they dominated the ground attack on Saturday, especially in the first half. This approach remains key to their success.
“It was good for [Orji] to get that first start, especially in such a big game and atmosphere,” Moore said. “We can definitely add more to complement the run game. While we had success on the ground, we still aim for balance. We’ve won games like this before, and as long as we win, we’ll keep doing what works.”
While Orji played his part in Michigan’s win, the star of the game was running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Mullings has been splitting carries with Donovan Edwards, but his performance might earn him the starting job.
When asked about Mullings’ potential as the starter, Moore responded, “We’ll see. He’s earned the right to be in that conversation. Kalel [Mullings] played a heck of a game, and you can’t overlook his impact. We’ll discuss it further with both players.”
Michigan now looks to continue their momentum this weekend as they face Minnesota at Michigan Stadium, with the Wolverines favored by nine points. The game kicks off at noon ET on Saturday.
