Michigan backup quarterback job up for grabs

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has selected the starting quarterback in Wilton Speight, but the race behind him will continue.

During the 63-3 blowout of Hawaii, Speight, John O’Korn, Shane Morris and Alex Malzone got reps behind center.

O’Korn and Morris threw the ball very well, while Malzone handed the ball off a few times and took a knee to end the game.

“We’re just going to keep going,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a very good positive. ... Some of those clichés you hear, if you have three good quarterbacks, you don’t have any good quarterbacks? That’s never resonated with me either. Just continue to keep going, keep going at it. They’ve all commented how good it’s been, how beneficial it’s been that there’s so many people in the mix. There’s people pushing Wilton; there’s people pushing John; there’s people pushing Shane. ... They’re just pushing each other higher. They’ve all commented on how good that’s been and I think that showed today.”

O’Korn led a touchdown drive after going 3-for-3 with 16 yards through the air in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Morris took over for O’Korn and led a touchdown drive of his own. Morris went 4-for-4 with his arm, tossed for 45 yards and ran for 14 yards. His most impressive pass was a bullet to freshman receiver Kekoa Crawford.

The drive by O’Korn ended in a four-yard rushing touchdown by Khalid Hill, while Karan Higdon finished off Morris’ drive with a five-yard carry into the end zone.

All in all, there is a battle for the backup quarterback position between O’Korn and Morris. Harbaugh should make a call on the official backup in the next few weeks.