The Michigan offense desperately need a spark after struggling their way through five straight games of complete incompetence at the quarterback position. Unfortunately that spark did not come soon enough on Saturday as Michigan lost to Washington in a rematch of the National Championship Game this January, 27-17.
Alex Orji got the start once again, but failed to create anything on offense, leading Michigan to punt on three straight drives. Head coach Sherrone Moore had clearly seen enough, so as the Wolverines' fourth drive of the game against Washington kicked off, sixth year quarterback Jack Tuttle took the field.
Michigan scored on three straight drives generating some offensive momentum for the first time on the entire season. Yes, the two late-game turnovers from Tuttle inevitably killed Michigan's shot at victory, but as Sherrone Moore mentioned, he did give them the spark that the team's been looking for.
When star running back Donovan Edwards was asked about that spark, and what Tuttle brings with him as the potential starter moving forward he had to say this:
"Yeah, I mean he just brought us a spark. Especially the play that he threw the touchdown to Colston [Loveland]. You know, it was just a big morale lift. I loved the way that before he went in the game he told everybody, 'Listen to me! Look at me!' Everybody just gave all their eyes to him. He has great leadership abilities and capabilities so I'm grateful that he got to go out there and was able to show what he can do."
The touchdown throw to tight end Colston Loveland that Edwards alluded to was an absolute beauty from Jack Tuttle and it initially gave the Michigan Wolverines the lead, 17-14. Tuttle stepped up in the pocket, was pressured, flushed out to the right, and while still on the run tossed a perfect pass to Loveland for the score.
From that point on in the game Tuttle and Michigan's offense struggled again, but there had clearly been enough flashes to impress some of Michigan's offensive players. Edwards couldn't stop gushing over Tuttle's leadership and his work ethic, making it sound like he would be quite excited for Tuttle to be the permanent starting quarterback moving forward.
"When [Jack Tuttle] came in all he did was just work. And he just continued to learn. He didn't complain. All he did was just work. He was always encouraging guys. So just for him, the opportunity he had today was just everything that for the past two years that he's been here for, so that was great."
If Edwards' enthusiasm and trust are any indicator, it seems like the offense is actually legitimately excited to make the switch to Tuttle moving forward. And it sounds as though that's where Sherrone Moore is leaning too. Hopefully Tuttle continues to improve and fixes the offense fast. The SEC schedule is ramping up and waiting on no one. The time is now for Tuttle to prove himself.
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