Offense notes: Michigan finds its run game before turning to Alex Orji at QB

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Wolverines had an opportunity for a get-right game against Arkansas State, leaving with a 28-18 win in a game that was far more lopsided than the score would indicate. Offensively, U-M found its run game, rushing 40 times for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day.

The outing was headlined by graduate running back Kalel Mullings, who had 15 carries for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns, setting career-high marks in each category. He reflected on the effort after the game.

“Everyone out there was doing their jobs, and it was able to click really well,” Mullings said. “I’m just proud of everybody and excited for next week.”

Mullings came into the season as the perceived second banana to senior Donovan Edwards, but this was always going to be a 1A-1B running back room. Mullings is making the case to be option A in that equation.

“It was a great feeling,” Mullings said. “This offseason, I just tried to take what I did last year and expand on that and learn from my mistakes last year. For me, it’s always trying to look for ways to get better … and it was a great feeling.

“I feel like today was a great performance. We capitalized when we could. But you never really know until you go watch the tape and see what you left on the field. It’s always evaluating and looking for ways to do a better job.”

Edwards had a solid day at the office, too. He finished the afternoon with 17 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, running hard and through contact to remind everyone the type of player he still is.

“It was a big emphasis of the coaches, just talking about straining,” Edwards said. “That’s in all categories — the offensive line, tight ends, running backs, receivers. I think we did a really good job of that. Our players did a helluva job of that. They strained. Even if they were tired, they didn’t show it. I thought our run game was very efficient. All 11 men did their job.

“I think we did a helluva job in the running game and we were very efficient in the passing game, beside the turnovers. We know they hurt us. But we had each other’s backs. It would be a disgrace to ourselves if we just looked at this game as a mistake. We made a lot of good plays out there on the football field. Today was a great day. We had over 300 rushing yards. Combined with almost 150 [passing yards], that’s a really good day.”

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore was pleased with the outing overall and saw step forward both with the backs and in the trenches.

“The biggest thing we talked about and stressed was run the football,” Moore said. “We had 44 attempts for 301 yards, so I’d say that’s pretty successful. 6.81 yards per carry. So, that was an emphasis we put on the team, on the players, running backs, O-line, so that was good.

“But we just know we’ve got to stay balanced and do the things we need to do to make sure we’re balanced in all phases. Got to take care of the football, No. 1. And then be able to run the football like we have been. That made me happy. So, not even just the run game but everything in perspective.

“We’ve got to eliminate penalties — we talked about the penalties, saw the penalties. You can say they’re this, they’re that, but you can’t have them. For us, we’ve got to clean those up and be more disciplined. We’ve got to do a better job with the team to make sure we’re more disciplined from this day forward, and I will.”

QB issues re-emerge

A great day at the office for the Michigan run game was dampened by a re-emergence of the team’s biggest question mark – the quarterback position. To senior Davis Warren‘s credit, the ball never hit the ground on Saturday. Unfortunately, it was because his 3 incompletions on the day were all to Arkansas State defenders for interceptions.

He finished the outing 11-for-14 for 122 yards with 0 touchdowns and the 3 picks, bringing his total to 6 on the season. After his third in as many quarters, the coaching staff turned to junior Alex Orji in a move that could signal what’s next.

“Just can’t have them,” Moore said after the game. “Put the ball in harm’s way too many times, so made a change and we’ll continue practicing and go from there. Just not great stuff to put on film. Yeah, I was surprised. It’s football, though, so that stuff’s going to happen, and we had to make a change.”

Michigan never really gave Orji the chance to throw the ball, finishing the day 2-for-4 for 12 yards, headlined by a 9-yard touchdown to freshman Hogan Hansen in the 4th quarter. He missed on a deep ball to Fredrick Moore, who looked to slow up on the play. But he did finish the game with 3 carries for 27 yards.

“He played well,” Moore said of Orji. “Had the overthrow, but wanted him to just let it rip, get some confidence, let it out there. Did a good job just managing it and taking care of the football, which is the No. 1 thing we want our quarterback to do. So, we’ll see where we go from there.”

It will be a long week of practice with USC next up and a quarterback decision to make.

Colston Loveland injury looms large

Outside of the turnovers on offense, the biggest concern is the status of junior tight end Colston Loveland. He appeared to suffer a shoulder injury in the first half, but came back in the second half and landed on it just out of the locker room. He went to the injury tent, then to the locker room before returning to the sideline in regular clothes.

Moore was mum on the situation after the game, deferring to the medical staff.

“Whenever they say someone is down, I listen,” Moore said. “I’m not going to make a decision medically, so that was their decision. We just went from there with the next guy.”

Michigan turned to Marlin Klein, along with Hansen after the injury, in addition to Max Bredeson in his normal role. We’ll see how it affects the leadup to the USC game.

Miscellaneous Michigan offense notes

• Junior tight end Marlin Klein made his first career start on Saturday.
• Two offensive players made their first appearances in the game in freshman tackle Andrew Sprague and freshman tight end Hogan Hansen. Hansen had one catch for 9 yards and his first career touchdown on a pass from Orji.
• U-M was 5-for-5 on this down in its three first-half touchdown drives.
• Sophomore wideout Fred Moore and Klein had career days, recording 3 catches for 38 yards and 3 catches for 43 yards, respectively.