How can Michigan involve Alex Orji more in QB run game? Wolverines' OC Kirk Campbell weighs in on Orji's role
Not much needs to be said about the struggles of Michigan's offense this season. The offense has been disjointed (at best) in every game this season, they are on their second quarterback, and only one player has had more than 50 receiving yards in any game this year (Colston Loveland). Now the staff is behind […]
Not much needs to be said about the struggles of Michigan's offense this season. The offense has been disjointed (at best) in every game this season, they are on their second quarterback, and only one player has had more than 50 receiving yards in any game this year (Colston Loveland).
Now the staff is behind the ball on installing a lot of the quarterback run game with Alex Orji, and it shows on offense as the plays have looked disjointed. Orji has 33 carries for 113 yards and no touchdowns this season, averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. He has 22 rushes for 55 yards (2.5 ypc) in his two starts.
Speaking on the issues with the quarterback run game, Michigan Wolverines offensive coordinator called it a catch-22 with involving Orji.
"I think that’s a catch-22. If Alex is really involved in the run game, you’re taking the ball out of Kalel’s hands a lot. But some opportunities perceived maybe that might not be to the public that he is reading an extra defender and now we’re using them in conflict and Kalel’s getting the run. We are doing more of that than you’d probably think. But yeah, Alex is a huge part of it. Obviously USC, he picked up a bunch of third downs for us with his legs. Last week he did one in the pass game. I called a pass and he ran it. But yeah, he’s important. He’s got to be used in the run game. We tried to use it twice on third down. Neither one netted any success. So it’s not as simple as just saying yeah, you’re going to run them. We’ve got to go execute the call as well. He’s done a good job. He’s got to do a better job."
That is a pretty odd answer, as the Wolverines have the ability to involve Orji AND Mullings in the game. Everyone knows that the passing game just isn't going to click, so it seems like a pretty weak excuse to say they aren't leaning into it to support their normal run game.
However, the execution of plays has been pretty poor, and the team is making frequent mistakes on both sides of the ball. That does, again, point right back at the coaching staff, but the staff also cannot make the blocks or stay in phase with a receiver.
It is odd how the quarterback run game was seemingly never installed despite everyone figuring Orji was going to play some sort of key role for the offense this season.
The Wolverines go on the road for the first time this week when they take on the Washington Huskies. Hopefully, the staff has figured out how to keep Orji involved moving forward, as the schedule gets tougher and tougher from here.
