Wolverine Digest

NEW: Sherrone Moore hints at Michigan's starting quarterback vs. MSU

Though noncommittal, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has an early idea on who will start at quarterback vs. Michigan State...

Matt Lounsberry

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore did not name a starting quarterback against Michigan State during his weekly press conference on Monday, stating the Wolverines will "see as we practice this week" who gets the nod against the Spartans.

However, on the Inside Michigan Football radio show Monday evening, Moore revealed who he's leaning towards heading into his first rivalry game as Michigan's head coach.

"I think right now, Jack [Tuttle] will be the guy. But you have to go through the week and see what happens," Moore said.

Tuttle struggled in his first start for the Wolverines on Saturday against Illinois, with two costly turnovers and accuracy issues in the 21-7 loss to the Fighting Illini. In less than seven full quarters of football, Tuttle is responsible for four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions) already this season, and had a fifth giveaway and third interception overturned by a penalty against Illinois.

Yet, the seventh-year senior remains the Wolverines' most experienced option, and flashed the highest potential we've seen out of any of Michigan's quarterbacks this season during the second and third quarters against Washington. Tuttle led the Wolverines on three consecutive scoring drives (touchdown, field goal, touchdown) on his first three possessions, but has since led just one scoring drive in U-M's next 15 possessions.

Michigan Wolverines football quarterback Jack Tuttle
Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jack Tuttle (13) reacts after a turnover against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Memorial Stadium. / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Redshirt junior Davis Warren began the year as Michigan's starting quarterback, but also struggled with protecting the football. In three starts, Warren threw six interceptions against Fresno State, Texas and Arkansas State. The fourth-year signal-caller has been the Wolverines' most accurate passer this year, completing 48-of-72 attempts for 444 yards and two touchdowns.

Warren was benched in favor of Alex Orji, who gave Michigan's run game an added threat and did the best job of any of the three at preventing turnovers, but his limitations as a downfield passer hamstrung the Wolverines' offense. This season, Orji has completed just 23-of-43 attempts for 148 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He's added 124 yards on 35 carries on the ground.

Since replacing Orji against Washington, Tuttle has completed 30-of-50 pass attempts for 306 yards, with one touchdown, two interceptions and two fumbles lost.

Michigan and Michigan State will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Big House in Ann Arbor, with Big Ten Network carrying the televised broadcast.

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Matt Lounsberry
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