Sherrone Moore quick-hitters: What he liked about USC win, offensive line, players who stood out, Colston Loveland, more

Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore met with the media Monday afternoon ahead of his team’s game against Minnesota. Here are bullet points on the most notable things he said.

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Sherrone Moore quick-hitters

• Michigan junior quarterback Alex Orji made his first career start in a 27-24 win over USC last week and will get the nod again versus Minnesota. Moore said there’s more to his game and the offense that will be shown in the games ahead. He was pleased that Orji took care of the football.

• Orji was “the same Alex” when he found out he wasn’t the starter at the end of fall camp heading into the opener, which has allowed for a smooth transition to him taking over starting duties.

• Junior tight end Colston Loveland missed Saturday’s game against the Trojans. He was “close” to playing and “doing a lot better.”

• Moore credited “mom and dad and The Man upstairs” for junior cornerback Will Johnson‘s performances. He praised his hard work and said that defensive coordinator Wink Martindale predicted he would get an interception before Johnson’s pick-six versus USC.

• Moore said the pass protection has been “good” but has to “continue to improve.” He said, in fact, that it is “improving.”

• Moore doesn’t know what the exact split will be for practice reps at quarterback between Orji and the backups, but said he will find the right balance so that Orji gets the amount of snaps he needs and the backups are also ready.

• Senior quarterback Davis Warren has been “studying the same” as he was when he was the starter, remaining positive.

• The Michigan offensive line played its “best game” of the season against USC, paving the way for 290 rushing yards. Moore mentioned that both graduate running back Kalel Mullings and senior Donovan Edwards played well, and that the offensive line gave them 3 yards before contact per carry, the highest of the season.

• Moore is confident that Michigan can win games even when the “script” doesn’t play out the way it did against USC, with the Wolverines getting an early lead and clinging to it, with the help of a defensive touchdown.

• Moore wouldn’t commit to Mullings being the starting running back but said he earned the right to “be in that conversation.” He said it will be something discussed within the offense (not for public consumption).

• Michigan sophomore right tackle Evan Link is “steadily getting better.” Moore mentioned that he only played in four games last season and is just four outings into being a starter. He said He has “size” and “talent” and will continue to gain confidence.

• Senior fullback / tight end Max Bredeson is the “ultimate thumper and tone-setter.” Last season, Bredeson became the “guy that he is now.” This spring, though, Moore realized that Bredeson “has something different,” which has allowed his role to grow.

• Senior EDGE Josaiah Stewart is a “game-wrecker.” Moore said he’s glad he wasn’t USC’s left tackles (they had to make a change at that position at halftime, due in large part to Stewart’s effectiveness).

• Junior defensive tackle Mason Graham “played his best game, for sure,” against USC. He was “detailed, powerful and strong.” He “looked dominant in there,” and Moore mentioned that junior defensive tackle Kenneth Grant and junior EDGE Derrick Moore were the same.

• Moore gave the “ultimate shoutout” to Michigan’s wide receivers, who blocked well in the run game against USC. He said all the group cares about is doing what it takes to win.

• The next step for Orji is to continue to gain confidence from start to start.

• Michigan sophomore cornerback Jyaire Hill “played a heck of a game” against USC, making some “competitive plays and competitive hits.” Moore said Hill has been in Johnson’s hip pocket, following his lead, and he’s better off for it.

• On USC’s touchdown pass to Jay Fair was a miscommunication on a pressure. Michigan was supposed to have someone in coverage there. The one to Ja’Kobi Lane — graduate safety Makari Paige came over too slow.

• Minnesota teams under head coach P.J. Fleck are “tough, physical and disciplined.” They like to play “ball control” offense and “smart defense.” Moore said they will try to “make you make a mistake.”