ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines football team’s offense is struggling and desperately needs a boost. Preseason reports suggested that athletic quarterback Alex Orji would be the likely starter. After two weeks, it’s evident he isn’t the solution. He only enters the game to execute a simple, predictable quarterback power play that fails to make any impact. His most memorable pass over the first two games wasn’t the one-yard touchdown to running back Donovan Edwards; it was a rushed option play in which he threw an awkward bounce pass to an open receiver, Tyler Morris, and the rest is now part of history.
The fanbase, especially now that Sherrone Moore has officially signed his contract, is eager for someone to step up as QB1, as Davis Warren continues to struggle after being unexpectedly named the starter before the Fresno State season opener. Read: Defense excels in season opener, propelling Michigan football to victory over Fresno State It’s true that the offensive line is having trouble executing basic blocks, the running game is faltering, and the wide receivers are failing to create separation downfield. A change at quarterback could save the season before the week three game against Arkansas State, but if not Orji, who just comes in for predictable running plays, then who can take charge? When asked about the possibility of freshman quarterback Jaden Davis getting some playing time, Moore indicated that they would not be turning to him following the disappointing loss in week two.
#MichiganWolverines talk week 2 loss to Texas.
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“Um, no, as I mentioned, those two interceptions were a team effort,” Moore said. “Interceptions aren’t solely the quarterback’s fault. It’s a collective issue. He did well to place the ball where it needed to go. His one throw on the seam was probably his worst, as the receiver was open, but beyond that, the picks occurred because one ball was deflected out of the receiver’s hands, and the other was a result of not running the correct route. Overall, he managed things well, but our pass catchers need to step up too.” Moore and his staff emphasized that they weren’t considering the transfer portal and planned to move forward with their current quarterbacks. They stated that Orji and Warren were in a competition, but neither emerged as the clear starter. In fact, he waited until kickoff to officially announce to the NBC broadcast that Warren would be the starter.
The key question is why he waited until the last minute to announce the starter. It certainly wasn’t due to strong performances, as both Warren and Orji have been struggling to complete passes. This might sound harsh, but we can only judge based on what we’ve observed, and so far, he hasn’t delivered a noteworthy pass in the first two games.
Perhaps Moore waited until just before kickoff to name the starter due to the health concerns surrounding seven-year quarterback Jack Tuttle. Since signing with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2018, Tuttle has faced a series of injuries. Reports suggest he tore part of his UCL in his throwing shoulder last season, which has kept him sidelined until now. “Jack’s been throwing more this week, and it seems like he’ll be ready to go,” Moore noted. At 25 years old, Tuttle is in his second season with the team. He served as a backup to J.J. McCarthy during Team 144’s remarkable undefeated run, contributing to their first championship bid since 1997. So far, Tuttle has completed 15 of 17 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown for the Wolverines.
Tuttle previously played as a backup to Michael Penix at Indiana, making him a well-informed and experienced leader that the Wolverines need to rejuvenate their season and energize the offense. During his time at Indiana, he threw for 901 yards, recording six interceptions and five touchdowns before injuries sidelined him. Currently, the team stands at 1-1 without a clear offensive identity, but if he can stay healthy, Tuttle could ignite both the fanbase and his teammates, potentially leading to another remarkable run in the 2024 season.
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