Sherrone Moore says Michigan plans to keep playing both Davis Warren, Alex Orji after Week 1 win

Michigan started senior quarterback Davis Warren on Saturday in a season opening win against Fresno State. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for him, and Michigan occasionally spelled Warren with junior Alex Orji.

And after the 30-10 win, in which both quarterbacks threw a touchdown pass, head coach Sherrone Moore said after the game to NBC’s Kathryn Tappen that he expects to keep letting Orji spelling Warren to provide a running threat in specific looks.

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“Did a really good job just managing the offense and doing things the right way. Super happy for him and we’ll keep using him, keep using Orji, but both those guys did a really good job,” Moore said.

Elsewhere, the Wolverines defense again proved to be a stout outfit, allowing just three points in the first half and 10 on the night, causing two turnovers and generally not giving the Bulldogs any breathing room.

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And with 30 points on the board at the end of the day, Moore wasn’t too upset with the overall offensive performance, either.

“Defense was outstanding. Gave up a couple big plays but that’s going to happen,” Moore said. “Offense got a groove at the end. We’ve gotta be more consistent, we’ve just gotta do the little things right but overall you’re always happy with a good win.”

The 30 points were also not all from the offense, either, as star cornerback Will Johnson intercepted a screen pass and returned more than 80 yards for a game-sealing touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Moore had nothing but praise for the corner after the performance.

“Yeah he just gets better. He loves football, he works hard at it. And he just continues to get better,” Moore said. 

Moore was generally pleased by the 1st half performance from his team

It was a bit of a slow-going first half for Michigan against Fresno State in the season opener and beginning of the Moore era. But with a 10-3 lead over the Bulldogs at half, Moore was still pleased with what he’d seen from his team.

That included starting Warren, who somewhat surprisingly earned the nod over Orji. Warren finished the first half 8-of-10 for 51 yards and an interception on a deep throw attempt. But Moore was pleased with the overall showing from Warren in his first start.

“We’ve gotta do a better job of the receiver going to fight for it and playing some good defense. But I thought he was doing a good job with the offense,” Moore said.

Michigan’s lone touchdown was actually thrown by Orji, on a rollout look the right where he had an easy pitch and catch with Donovan Edwards. Orji played sparingly in certain situations in the first half, going 1-of-1 passing with the score.

And on defense, Michigan coaches left many puzzled when Johnson was rotated out of the game for Aamir Hall at cornerback.

Moore, speaking at the half, stood by the decision to stick with the rotation that takes one of Michigan’s best players off the field. And with less than 100 yards given up and only 3 points for Fresno State, Moore wasn’t going to be arguing with the results.

“I mean, I think it’s been really good,” Moore said. “Those guys have played really good. Will Johnson almost had a couple picks. They’re playing physical up front, so the defense has done an outstanding job.”