Sherrone Moore updates QB plans after Washington loss

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore started at quarterback Alex Orji against Washington, but the Wolverines fell behind 14-0 and couldn’t move the ball with him. Needing a spark, Moore turned to 7^Th-year older Jack Tuttlewho was finally healthy after a setback following offseason surgery.

It didn’t take long for it to make an impact. Tuttle quickly led a touchdown drive, and although most of it ended up on the ground, the threat of a pass opened up the field a bit. The score was 14-10 at halftime after he led a field goal drive, and the Wolverines came all the way back to take a 17-14 lead to start the second half with a drive in which he had some crucial throws.

At the end of the day, however, the ball losses bothered him just as much as they did Davis Warren in his first three starts. He lost a fumble and threw a pick, both on his own side of the field. Orji protected the ball, but he just couldn’t move the team. That means Tuttle should start again in Illinois in two weeks.

“I thought he came out and obviously gave us a spark early,” Moore said. “Three drives in a row we had a touchdown, a field goal and a touchdown. I think the players benefited from it.

“He trained well all week. He came back healthy, which was good for us. We’ll see, but it was positive. I think he gave us a spark. We’ll see if he’ll be the starter. It looks like he gave us the best chance. Of course we have to eliminate the ball losses at the end, but he definitely had an exciting start to the game.”

Moore confirmed that doctors cleared him just last week. Tuttle played behind two new starters on offense Greg Crippen And Jeff PersiHe filled in for center Dom Giudice and left tackle Myles Hinton, respectively, and escaped pressure and moved the offense well.

Tuttle finished the game 10-for-18 for 98 yards with a touchdown and a pick, Orji 3-for-7 for 15 yards. Moore was asked directly if Tuttle would be the starter going forward.

“I think we’ll see when we see the film, but I feel good about the way he played,” Moore said. “I feel good about what he did. So if we had to play tomorrow, I would say Tuttle would be the starting quarterback…

“It is up to us to succeed and be successful with him Donovan (Edwards), Kalel (Mullings), the rest of the boys. I think he gives us a great chance to win. We’ll just clean up the sales and go from there.”