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Sherrone Moore discusses quarterback plans for Minnesota game

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•09/23/24•

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Michigan Wolverines quarterback Alex Orji (10) runs in the second half against the USC Trojans at Michigan Stadium
Michigan Wolverines quarterback Alex Orji (10) runs in the second half against the USC Trojans at Michigan Stadium

Michigan junior quarterback Alex Orji threw for 32 yards but didn’t turn the ball over in a win over USC. Head coach Sherrone Moore said they’d add more to his plate this week in practice, and that he’d be given the reins again in a Saturday’s game vs. Minnesota. 

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The Golden Gophers gave up nearly 300 yards rushing in a loss to Iowa, so this figures to be a game in which U-M can use Orji’s running ability on offense. 

“Alex will be the starter again, and definitely [there is] more to his game and more things that we have complemented for him and for the offense,” Moore said Monday. “But I thought he did a good job. He took care of the football for us, which was the number one thing we wanted, and was a great team player. He did all the things we asked him extremely hard when he asked him to. So, I’m proud of him and proud of his performance.

“It was good to get that first experience as a starter and play, especially in a big time game and great atmosphere like it was on Saturday. There’s a good bit that we can add and things that we can do to complement the running game, and obviously the running game was successful. But … we want to be balanced. We’ve had years in the past where we’ve had those games that we’ve had to win like that. And we’re not afraid to win like that as long as we win.”

So, they’ll “definitely” keep rolling with him, Moore said, and getting him more reps in practice. At the same time, they understand it could take more than one guy. If Davis Warren’s number is called, he’ll need to be ready. 

“I don’t know what the magic number is, whether it’s 70-30, 60-40 (reps), but you definitely have plays you want Alex to get … you need him to get with certain receivers, certain people, certain tight ends to get the timing, So, he’ll get the majority of those ,and then those guys will get him behind him.

“Davis has been studying just how he was when he was the starter. So, he’s been great.”

But Orji earned the right to start again, Moore said, and that’s what we’ll see Saturday. We’ll know then if they’ll add more to his plate. 

“He took care of the football, and we won against a really good team,” Moore said. 

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