The Michigan Wolverines’ 30-10 victory over Fresno State on Saturday was marked by a significant moment for Davis Warren, who made his first career start as quarterback.
The decision to start Warren over Alex Orji took many by surprise, sparking excitement among fans and placing the spotlight on the young quarterback who has overcome so much.
Warren, who joined Michigan as a walk-on in 2021, has faced a number of challenges on his journey to the starting role.
His high school career was marred by a cancer diagnosis and the cancellation of his senior season due to COVID-19, making his rise to this position all the more remarkable.
Despite the hurdles, Warren remained committed to the Wolverines and expressed his dedication after the game.
“I never wavered,” Warren said in his post-game press conference. “I never had any interest in leaving or going anywhere else. I wanted to be here. And obviously, there have been some ups and downs along the way, but it felt really good tonight. I’ve thought about this day for a long time and envisioned it a lot.”
Warren’s start came as Michigan enters a period of transition.
Still considered a legitimate playoff contender, the Wolverines will have to overcome a ton of hurdles if they’re to even come close to replicating the historic success they had a year ago.
While some fans were disappointed by the decision to go with Warren under center, new head coach Sherrone Moore defended his quarterback.
“Ultimately, he won the job last week, really,” Moore said. “He was just consistent, took care of the football, and made plays against that defense you saw out there. The team played hard for both [quarterbacks], but he ultimately took the job and won it. That made the decision easier for us.”
Warren’s inexperience was evident at times during the game.
He entered the contest with just 14 career pass attempts, having appeared in only three games last season. Michigan’s offense faced challenges, particularly on third downs, converting just four of 11 opportunities and reaching the red zone only twice.
To his credit, Warren acknowledged the need for improvement.
“We can’t leave ourselves in third-and-long,” he admitted. “We’ve got to keep the chains moving. That falls on all of us. But I’m just so proud of the way the guys battled. That last [touchdown] drive, that’s Michigan football right there. That’s the momentum we needed.”
Despite some inconsistency, Warren played a significant role in the victory, though Orji also made an impact, throwing a touchdown pass on his first drive.
Orji, known more for his running ability, shared the field with Warren, but Warren saw the majority of the snaps.
“It’s football,” Moore said, reflecting on the team’s performance. “It’s not always going to be perfect; it’s going to be up and down. I thought the playcallers did a great job, and we’ve got to execute their play calls, whether it’s offense or defense.”
It may not have been pretty, but a win is a win.
Having said that, Michigan fans can’t be too confident with the Texas Longhorns coming to town next Saturday. While it certainly helps that the game is in The Big House, Warren and company will have their work cut out for them.
Thankfully, even if the Wolverines fall to Texas, they will remain more than alive in the hunt for the playoffs thanks to the new expanded field.
However, in the big picture, just how concerned should Michigan be?
Was the decision to go with Warren the right call? … Will he develop into a quarterback who can truly be counted on to win big games???