Mold Remediation in Warren, MI

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Michigan run game got things going in a massive way on Saturday against Arkansas State. The Wolverines ran for 301 yards as a team and Kalel Mullings had a career-high 153 yards. But the Michigan passing game left much to be desired.

After the game, head coach Sherrone Moore didn't commit to either Davis Warren or Alex Orji -- who replaced Warren following his third interception. He said he needs to watch film and then let practice decide who will start against USC next week.

"Can't have it," Moore said of Warren's three interceptions. "Put the ball in harm's way too many times. Made a change. We Will continue to practice and go from there.

"That's why we practice. Will figure that out in practice."

It figures to be either Warren or Orji against the Trojans. Seventh-year veteran Jack Tuttle was questionable for the second game in a row, but didn't do anything during warmups. While Moore wants to see both quarterbacks continue to compete this week in practice, he said he was surprised by the results. Warren completed 11-of-14 on Saturday, but his three incompletions all went to the other team. Moore said Warren handled being subbed out for Orji well.

"Not great stuff to put on film," Moore continued. "Yeah, I was surprised. But it's football, so that stuff is going to happen, but had to make a change.

"He's disappointed as you would think he would be. His attitude, the way he carries himself around the other guys was outstanding. But he knew he couldn't do that putting the ball in harm's way -- he was positive."

At the end of the day, the interceptions fall on Warren, but it was a mix of bad pass protection and bad decisions that resulted in the turnovers. Moore confirmed Warren's second interception, the defender from his right hit his arm. The third, Moore said was an errant throw. And the first interception, Donovan Edwards took the blame for missing his block.

"Some of it was protection, but at the end of the day we have to take care of the football," Moore said. "We can't have those turnovers. We take a lot of pride in making sure that we don't do that. Usually when we take care of the football we win, so that's what we're going to try to do."

When Orji did come in, he orchestrated a touchdown dive right away. Granted, most of it came from the ground, but Orji did throw a nine-yard touchdown to Hogan Hansen. Orji also had an overthrow to Fred Moore that would've resulted in a touchdown. Moore said they wanted Orji to throw the ball and gain some confidence in that area.

"He had the over hrow, but wanted to let it rip and gain confidence and put it out there," Moore said of Orji. "Did a good job of managing and taking care of the football, which is the number one thing we want our quarterback to do."

Michigan will host USC next weekend at 3:30 p.m. ET

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Michigan football's coaches apparently saw enough Saturday to make a quarterback change.

After senior Davis Warren threw his third interception of the afternoon late in the third quarter against Arkansas State, the Wolverines made the switch to backup Alex Orji, who took over on the next series. Michigan won, 28-18.

Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore spoke postgame on the field with Big Ten Network about the change.

"Davis was playing good, you can't have those turnovers," Moore said. "So Orji went in there and did a good job, missed the one throw (long pass to Fredrick Moore) but thought he controlled the offense pretty well, so, we'll go from there."

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Michigan hosts No. 11 USC next Saturday in the Wolverines' Big Ten Conference opener.

Warren beat out Orji in a quarterback battle that lasted from spring into the final week of fall camp. In the days before the season opener vs. Fresno State, head coach Sherrone Moore told Warren he'd won the job.

Warren completed 15 of 25 passes for 118 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but Moore chalked it up to first-start jitters and said there were plenty of things to like. The concerns continued last week, when U-M was walloped by Texas, 31-12.

In that game, Michigan was forced to pass early, which didn't help Warren, but he didn't help the offense enough either. In his second career start, Warren completed 22 of 33 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions as U-M lost at home for the first time since 2020.

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The Wolverines had little trouble moving the ball on the ground vs. Arkansas State on Saturday, with more than 250 yards. But Warren threw interceptions in each of the first three quarters, with each seemingly more baffling than the one prior.

On the first interception, there appeared to be a miscommunication with running back Donovan Edwards on a play-action pass. He took the fake handoff on the wrong side of Warren and then missed a blocking assignment. Warren was forced to throw off his back foot, and made a questionable decision on a dump-off which was intercepted.

Near the half, Warren tried to throw an out-route to Semaj Morgan, but his elbow was bumped as he threw it and the ball went directly to a defensive back. The final interception came in the third, when he again tried to find Morgan, but this time overthrew the pass into the waiting arms of the safety.

On the season, Warren is 48-for-72 for 444 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions.