Lincoln Riley isn’t too concerned about Michigan changing quarterbacks

Lincoln Riley is not the type of coach to give away more information than absolutely necessary. Especially not if that information could give a future opponent even the slightest hint about USC’s plans or personnel. Details are frequently evaded. Injury investigations are harshly dismissed.

Sherrone Moore, his coaching colleague at Michigan, seemed to share similar sentiments about protecting state secrets. Until Moore decided to share with the world this week, three games into his tenure at Michigan, that he was making a change at quarterback.

Moore made it official at a press conference Monday that Michigan would replace Davis Warren, a former walk-on who struggled in three starts, with Alex Orji, a running threat with limited experience as a passer. Why Moore decided to do so publicly, sacrificing the element of surprise with Riley and his defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, remains to be seen.

That information was certainly welcomed with open arms by USC and its coaching staff. But Riley said he understood Moore’s reasoning behind announcing the move, even if he wouldn’t speculate on why he was announcing it five days before Saturday’s big Big Ten opener in Ann Arbor.

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“I understand where they’re coming from,” Riley said. “There’s two schools of thought. They’re both relevant. But I’m not going to sit here and guess why they did that or why they made that choice. That’s their decision. We’ve got to be ready for whoever they have. Very versatile offense. Very good on the offensive line. The backs are good. The tight ends are elite. A lot of really gifted coaches there. So, a big challenge, no matter who’s under center.”

Still, it’s incredibly valuable information for USC’s defense, which used its week off to prepare for Michigan with Warren as the starter. Now it has the rest of the week to change those plans for a quarterback who didn’t attempt a single pass last season.

Orji has caught six passes this year, three of which have been completed for 15 yards and two touchdowns. But while Moore has assured us he has improved as a passer, it is still unknown what Michigan’s offense will look like with him at the helm.

His rushing ability was always going to be part of Michigan’s game plan, but it’s unclear how much time the Trojans spent factoring him in last week. And Riley wasn’t about to share that information.

“I don’t think I would say sorry,” Riley said.

He wouldn’t even say who USC would actually use as Orji.

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“There’s an old quarterback from Muleshoe, Texas, coming out of retirement,” Riley said, jokingly referring to himself. “So, we’re going to see if his legs are still there. We’ve got a couple guys we’re trying to use a little bit. But (Orji) is a really good athlete.”

Whether he can pass the ball downfield effectively is another question. However, Riley said USC still planned to address that part of Michigan’s offense.

“You don’t play quarterback at this level without being able to throw the ball a little bit,” Riley said. “If you sit there and think if he plays the whole game, they’re going to run him 70 times and throw him one time or whatever, I don’t think that’s going to happen. So you definitely have to take that into consideration because he’s certainly a good enough pitcher to make you pay.”

Last season, Michigan ran the ball 45 or more times in three games. Against Penn State, it ran the ball on 46 plays and passed just eight times.

A similar game plan could be in the offing Saturday, though Moore declined to sell his new quarterback’s arm this week.

“I think they’re going to find out pretty quickly that he can throw the ball,” Moore said. “People have their opinions on him, but he can definitely throw. He’s going to make some big throws this game.”

Etc.

Linebackers Mason Cobb and Eric Gentry, who both dealt with injuries during the bye week, were fully fit in practice Tuesday and should be ready to play against Michigan. … Cornerback Jaylin Smith is also expected to play after missing USC’s Week 2 win over Utah State. … Michigan is hoping to have star tight end Colston Loveland available Saturday after Loveland was injured in the win over Arkansas State. “It wasn’t as bad as we thought,” Moore said.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.