Michigan RB Donovan Edwards reacts to Alex Orji decision at QB: 'He's ready'
ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Wolverines are still searching for the best version of themselves after a 2-1 start to the season. Senior running back Donovan Edwards and the run game had a bounceback effort last week with 301 yards rushing against Arkansas State, which in any other week would have inspired a ton of confidence.
Michigan was outgunned by Texas a few weeks ago and is in the middle of a change at quarterback heading into the fourth game of the season. Edwards summed up the effort on the field so far.
RELATED: Alex Orji will start for Michigan football vs. USC Saturday
“2-1… Every single game we look to be 1-0,” Edwards told the media on Monday afternoon. “Texas is a hell of a team. Somebody has to win, somebody has to lose, and it sucks that it was us who had to lose because, we wanted to go in there and win the game. But I think that this team is in a good spot. I think that as long as we continue to bond and continue to play for one another, we will be a successful football team because that’s what’s given us success in the past three years since I’ve been here.”
Monday came with the news from head coach Sherrone Moore that the team would be switching to junior Alex Orji at quarterback after three interceptions last week from Davis Warren, who was benched in the third quarter.
The media session was the first Edwards had heard of the change at quarterback, but he is excited for Orji to get his shot at the job ahead of Michigan’s Big Ten opener against USC this weekend (3:30 p.m., CBS).
“I’m excited for Orji,” Edwards said. “He’s ready. He’s been prepared for this opportunity since he’s been here. [Davis and Orji] always say that they’re each other’s biggest supporters. Whoever’s in the huddle, we shut up and we listen to the play call. We go out there and execute because they’re both phenomenal leaders at the end of the day.
“We all have been in that in that period when somebody else was in the game. It’s a brotherhood around here. So we’re just gonna continue to bond together and get through the season together.”
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As far as Michigan’s game plan goes, it seems logical to assume there will be more quarterback runs and a few more wrinkles to the offense than with Warren as a traditional dropback passer. Edwards sees the benefits of that.
“I don’t think it’s going to be anything different than what our offense has been doing. I’m just excited for this upcoming week,” Edwards said. “With a running quarterback, they have to be able to be accounted for. It just pulls down like another defender… the defender has to account for the quarterback now.
“So I think it’s basically just one man less that a running back has to worry about. That’s something that’s great about being able to have a running quarterback. We’ve had a good fair share of good running quarterbacks in this program.”
Michigan’s showdown with USC sees them enter as a 6.5-point underdog with the over/under set at 47.5 points.
