ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines bounced back after a humbling week two boat race by bum-rushing Arkansas State 28-18 to improve to 2-1 on the season.
For the second week in a row, Michigan has faced a Nick Saban disciple, but the results were different in week three as Michigan native Butch Jones brought the Red Wolves in ready to duplicate what Steve Sarkisian did in week two.
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Kalel Mullings got the ball rolling early for the Wolverines as he opened the game on a 30-yard house call, capping an 11-play 76-yard opening drive to show the offensive line, and he was connected at the hip.
Mullings ended the first half with another 42 yards, 30 of which coming off one run to put the Wolverines up 21-3. He had 86 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns to end the half.
The old saying goes, if some is good, more is better, as NCAA 25 cover athlete Donovan Edwards finally found his footing, toting the rock 13 times in the first half for 70 yards and a touchdown.
His first taste of paint from the ground game capped off a 13-play 75-yard drive, during which he broke numerous tackles while rushing up the gut for seven yards and the score.
The offensive line and running backs were on point early Saturday, but quarterback play is still a concern as walk-on starter Davis Warren continues to struggle.
Warren finished the half completing 8-10 passes for 106 yards and two ugly, ill-advised, uncalled-for interceptions that made no sense to everyone in the stadium.
The first interception occurred at the end of the first quarter on an errant pass up the sideline with pressure in his face, which resulted in an interception intended for tight end Colston Loveland.
Superstar tight end #ColstonLoveland seen standing on the sideline in street clothes to start the second half.
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) September 14, 2024
The interception was returned for 30 yards, putting the defense inside another hole to the Wolverines’ 15-yard line to start the second quarter with a field goal, resulting in their only points of the half.
His second interception was worse as he threw the ball directly to Red Wolves cornerback Trevian Thomas as the Wolverines were driving down the field to put the game almost out of reach.
Warren threw another interception in the third quarter in the direction of Semaj Morgan, who was triple covered, and the fans in the stands let him hear it as a wave of boos surfed around The Big House.
The big question coming into this weeks matchup was whether Alex Orji was going to see more than one play at a time and after Warren’s dreadful day, he got his shot.
Orji replaced Warren for five consecutive plays to end the third quarter. He broke a big run of 13 yards to open the fourth quarter and was greeted by cheers.
#AlexOrji has replaced #DavisWarren after his third interception of the day. We're finally seeing what he looks like for more than one play at a time.
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) September 14, 2024
Orji woke up the crowd and the offense after he and the team ran the ball eight times in a row.
The ninth play resulted in his second passing touchdown of the season, hitting wide receiver Hogan Hansen on a QB option pass to cap off a nine-play, 80-yard drive.
#AlexOrji leads the Wolverines on a 9-play 80-yard touchdown drive with 8 plays coming on consecutive runs. The fans cheer him off the field with "ORJI" chants in The Big House. 28-3 Michigan.
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) September 14, 2024
Warren finished the day 11-14 for 122 yards and three interceptions. The rushing attack continued as Orji used his legs to move the chains while putting the game out of reach.
Mullings finished the day with 153 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. Edwards chipped in with 17 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown.
The Wolverines had 301 yards on 43 carries between six guys, including Orji, as a team.
The Wolverines defense gave up 18 points while allowing 222 yards passing and 58 yards rushing, which was expected in a matchup of this nature during homecoming weekend.
Sept. 14 was the first meeting between the men in maize and the Red Wolves, and based on their performance in week three, it may be their last.
During the Wolverines’ 122nd homecoming game and the 126th all-time homecoming game ever played inside The Big House in Ann Arbor, the dominant victory improved Michigan’s homecoming victory to 12 consecutive and 24 out of 28 homecoming games with the resurgence of their rushing attack.
Although they got the victory and put on an excellent defensive display alongside the triumphant rushing attack, the post-game interview ahead of their matchup against the No. 11-ranked USC Trojans next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. will be quarterback play and who will be the starter next week.