The orange was supposed to have said it all.

After backup quarterback Russell Bellomy, a redshirt sophomore, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in practice on March 29, the Michigan coaching staff wasn’t going to risk any more injuries before the 2013 season actually started.

Protection, then, became the top priority. At practices and at Saturday’s Spring Game, all the quarterbacks, from the starter (redshirt junior Devin Gardner) to the third stringer (redshirt sophomore Alex Swieca), wore orange jerseys in hopes that the team could stay healthy.

Turns out no one sent that message to freshman defensive end Taco Charlton.

When Swieca took the field for a few snaps on Saturday, he was met by Charlton’s 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame barreling toward him. Charlton, apparently, took no notice of the orange jersey, as he sacked the quarterback not once, but twice.

“Freshmen,” said Michigan coach Brady Hoke, shaking his head, when asked about Charlton’s tackles after the game.

And though he might have been disappointed about Charlton’s overeagerness during what was supposed to be just a light scrimmage, Hoke has some optimism about the future of the pass rush.

“I think we’ve got some young kids who have some ability,” Hoke said. “I think with (defensive coordinator) Greg (Mattison) and his passion and how he teaches it, rushing the passer, I think the work that’s being put in … and the guys are excited about it.”

Mattison said on April 4 that he wanted the pass rush to become a trademark of Michigan’s defense, and though there’s still a long way to go until the season starts, everyone from Hoke to the defensive line seemed pleased with the progression of the pass rush.

Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Quinton Washington said in the past, pass rushes relied more on blitzes and were more “team-ran” than anything else. But the Wolverines are trying to get away from that mentality.

“This year it’s one-on-one, it’s a mental thing,” Washington said. “The four people in front have to get home every time.”

Washington, redshirt junior tackle Jibreel Black, redshirt sophomore defensive end Keith Heitzman and junior defensive end Frank Clark composed the starting four of Saturday’s defensive line.

Sacks on Swieca aside, the defensive line held relatively steady on Saturday, or at least as much as can be expected for a scrimmage. The transition of the Wolverines’ offense to rely more on the air game has given the defensive line increased opportunities to practice the pass rush.

So, who does the defensive line have to thank for this confidence? The offensive line and fifth-year senior tackle Taylor Lewan, in particular. Clark joked that he looks at Lewan as a player from Ohio State to motivate himself during practice.

But if imagining his teammate as an enemy is what it takes for the defensive line to improve its pass rush and serve as an example to younger players, like Charlton, Clark will take it.

“If (Lewan) wouldn’t have stayed, I don’t know who I would be battling every day, what type of competition I’d be going after,” Clark said. “Who can make me better as a pass rusher and as a player?”