ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Playing Arkansas State a week after a loss to Texas was a chance for Michigan to restore some good vibes before next week’s Big Ten opener against USC.
Instead, Michigan came away with a 28-18 victory and a mixed bag of questions and concerns: an injury to star tight end Colston Loveland, another turnover-plagued performance from the offense and a possible quarterback controversy. Here are three takeaways.
QB confusion continues
Davis Warren took every snap in the first half, and it appeared that Alex Orji’s role in the offense might be shrinking. After Warren threw his third interception, Michigan inserted Orji and let him play an entire series, something the Wolverines were hesitant to do in the first two games.
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Orji gave Michigan a spark, leading a nine-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Hogan Hansen. All but 22 of those yards came on the ground from running back Kalel Mullings, who finished with 153 yards on 15 carries. The Wolverines went three-and-out on their next two drives with Orji at quarterback, with Orji overthrowing a wide-open Fredrick Moore on his only downfield passing attempt. On the whole, the results were inconclusive.
Michigan will have to decide whether to stick with Warren as the starter against USC or make the switch to Orji. Warren’s struggles protecting the ball remained his biggest issue, as he was 11-for-14 for 122 yards with three interceptions. The picks weren’t entirely his fault, as shaky pass protection contributed to his struggles. But Warren has six interceptions in three starts, two more than J.J. McCarthy had in 15 games last season. That’s not a winning recipe for Michigan.
Loveland’s status in question
Loveland, Michigan’s All-America tight end, caught a pass on Michigan’s first series of the second half and was driven hard into the turf. He got up slowly, got checked out in the medical tent and walked up the tunnel to the locker room. He returned to the sideline later in the second half without a helmet or shoulder pads.
If Loveland can’t play against USC, an offense already starved for playmakers will be even more limited. Loveland has 19 receptions for 187 yards through three games, making him by far the most productive receiving threat in Michigan’s offense.
Defense buckles late
Michigan’s defense had allowed three points heading into the fourth quarter, a bounce-back performance from the week prior against Texas. Those good feelings were tempered by two late touchdown drives and a two-point conversion from Arkansas State that made the final score look competitive.
Backup quarterback Timmy McClain was 7-for-11 for 82 yards and two touchdowns in leading those two scoring drives. Michigan didn’t have all of its starters on the field in the fourth quarter and still outgained Arkansas State 435 yards to 280. Michigan’s defense played better this week, and that should be expected against a Sun Belt opponent, but the Wolverines again had struggles on third down, allowing Arkansas State to convert 7 of 18 attempts.
(Top photo: Rick Osentoski / USA Today)
