Michigan seems to have a quarterback issue.
Kalel Mullings rushed for a career-high 153 yards and scored two touchdowns, helping the 17th-ranked Wolverines win 28-18 against Arkansas State on Saturday, despite Davis Warren throwing three interceptions.
The Wolverines (2-1) struggled to distance themselves from a Sun Belt Conference team they were expected to beat comfortably, largely because Warren threw an interception in each of the first three quarters.
“Put the ball in harm’s way too many times and we made a change,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said.
Alex Orji took over for Warren and threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Hogan Hansen, giving Michigan a 28-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.
“He played well,” Moore said. Warren completed 11 of 14 passes for 122 yards, mostly with short throws or interceptions.
“Not great stuff to put on film,” Moore said.
Running the ball was more successful for the defending national champions. Michigan scored three times on the ground, having not scored a rushing touchdown in their previous two games, including last week’s loss to then-No. 3 Texas, which ended their 28-game regular-season winning streak and a 23-game home winning streak.
“They controlled the football,” Arkansas State coach Butch Jones said. “It took us 10 possessions to force a three-and-out.”
The Red Wolves (2-1) scored two late touchdowns but missed chances earlier in the game to close the gap.
“We did a great job of taking the ball away defensively, but we had zero to show for it offensively,” Jones said.
Arkansas State was only four points behind for most of the second quarter after Clune Van Andel made a 27-yard field goal, but he missed two other attempts in the first half. Jaylen Raynor had a chance to reduce Michigan’s 18-point lead, but his pass into the end zone was intercepted by Makari Paige late in the third quarter.
