Brady Quinn is “anything for” a double back set of Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings

In Michigan's 30-10 win over Fresno State in the season opener, Kalel Mullings led the Wolverines in runs (15) and yardage (92), while Donovan Edwards trailed him with 11 carries for just 27 yards. Michigan's running game will need to pick up the pace as the competition will only get stronger from here on out with teams like Texas, USC, Washington, Oregon and Ohio State on the schedule this season.

Maize n Brew caught up with Fox Sports analyst Brady Quinn, who is in Ann Arbor on Saturday to watch the Michigan vs. Texas game, to get his thoughts on Michigan's backfield and what they can do to improve the performance of Mullings and Edwards.

“Give Donovan Edwards space, let him use his game-winning speed,” Quinn told Maize n Brew. “He's always done well in big games, and this is a big game.”

Edwards has shown up in big games, such as running for two touchdowns in last season's National Championship Game and rushing for 216 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State in 2021. Edwards has also proven to be a top-notch pass receiver. In 2021 against Maryland, Edwards caught 10 passes for 170 yards, the most pass receptions by a Michigan running back in program history. However, Mullings is developing into a Hassan Haskins-type running back – he's a bruiser and deserves more playing time, too. Quinn has a solution: put Edwards and Mullings on the field at the same time more often.

“I'm not going to tell Sherrone Moore or Kirk Campbell how to do their job. They're around those guys every day, so they know what they have. I just think that if Donovan Edwards and Mullings are two of the best offensive players, you should put them on the field at the same time. Because you've got two different weapons and two different ways to use them,” Quinn explained. “Plus, the defense has to deal with that. How are they going to handle that personnel group? So that's a problem and it puts pressure on them. I'm always for having two top players in the backfield while you maybe wait for something to happen out there at receiver.”

Perhaps Quinn's thoughts will bear fruit in the Wolverines' upcoming games. Edwards and Mullings are two of Michigan's best offensive players, and they also have different strengths that could complement each other and confuse defenses in the process. Quinn is onto something there, and more Edwards/Mullings sets could be dynamic, explosive and productive.