Michigan coach Sherrone Moore started at quarterback Alex Orji against Washington, but the Wolverines fell behind 14-0 and couldn’t move the ball with him. Moore needed a spark and turned to 7^e-year senior Jack Tuttlewho was finally healthy after a setback following offseason surgery.

It didn’t take long for him to make an impression. Tuttle quickly led a touchdown drive, and while most of it ended up on the ground, the threat of a pass opened up the field a bit. It was 14-10 at halftime after he led a field goal, and the Wolverines came all the way back to take a 17-14 lead to start the second half with a drive in which he had some critical throws.

But in the end, the turnovers did him as much good as they did Davis Warren in his first three starts. He lost a fumble and threw a pick, both on his own side of the field. Orji protected the ball, but he simply couldn’t move the team. That sets up a likely Tuttle start at Illinois in two weeks.

“I thought he came out and obviously gave us a spark early,” Moore said. “Three straight drives we had a touchdown, a field goal and a touchdown. I think the players fed off that.

“He has practiced well all week. He came back healthy, which was good for us. We’ll see, but it was positive. I think he gave us a spark. We’ll see if he’ll be the starter. It seems he gave us the best chance. Obviously we have to clean up the turnover at the end, but he certainly had an exciting start to the game.”

Only last week did doctors clear him, Moore confirmed. Tuttle played behind two new starters on the offensive line Greg Crippen And Jeff Persiwho filled in for center Dom Giudice and left tackle Myles Hinton respectively, escaped pressure and moved the offense well.

Tuttle finished 10-for-18 for 98 yards with a touchdown and a pick, Orji 3-for-7 for 15 yards. Moore was asked point-blank if Tuttle would be the starter going forward.

“I guess we’ll see when we watch the film, but I feel good about the way he played,” Moore said. “I feel good about what he did. So if we had to play tomorrow, I’d say Tuttle would be the starting quarterback…

“It’s (up to) us to be successful with him and be successful Donovan (Edwards), Kalel (Mullings), the rest of the boys. I think he gives us a great chance to win. We just clean up the turnover and go from there.