Photos by: Aaron J. Thornton
Michigan quarterback Tommy Carr delivered a pretty efficient performance Saturday, leading the Wolverines to a hard-fought 28-21 road victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Halloween. Carr accounted for three touchdowns and 320 yards of total offense, helping Michigan secure its fifth win of the 2026 season while continuing to establish himself as the team’s starting quarterback.
The victory marked the 11th all-time meeting between the two Big Ten programs and gave Michigan another important win as the Wolverines look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Wearing their all-white uniforms, the Wolverines entered the matchup with Carr making his second consecutive start at quarterback after taking over the QB1 position from Bryce Underwood. Carr was looking to earn his first road victory as a starter, while Rutgers turned to AJ Surace to lead its offense.
Michigan’s defense got off to a shaky start, committing a personal foul on the opening play of the game when Smith Snowden was flagged for a hit on the quarterback. However, the Wolverines eventually forced Rutgers to punt, giving Michigan possession at its own 8-yard line for its first offensive series.
Despite starting deep in its own territory, Michigan wasted little time moving the football. Carr connected with Moa for a 44-yard reception, setting up the Wolverines inside the Rutgers 10-yard line with an opportunity to strike first. Carr eventually found JJ Buchanan for a 6-yard touchdown reception, capping the opening drive and giving Michigan a 7-0 lead. The touchdown also marked Carr’s first career passing touchdown in Big Ten play.
Rutgers responded on its second possession with a field goal, cutting the deficit to 7-3. Carr continued to look comfortable in the pocket, completing six of his first seven passes by the end of the opening quarter.
The Wolverines extended their advantage early in the second quarter after another productive offensive series. Buchanan came through with another big reception to help move Michigan downfield before running back Jordan Marshall finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Michigan had now scored touchdowns on each of its first two possessions, building a 14-3 lead.
But Rutgers wasn’t going away. Facing a third-and-15 situation, the Scarlet Knights delivered one of their biggest plays of the afternoon. A defensive breakdown left Rutgers receiver Jourdin Houston open after Snowden lost his footing, allowing Houston to break free for an 80-yard touchdown. The explosive play quickly shifted the momentum and brought Rutgers within four points and then the Scarlet Knights added another field goal to make it a 14-13 game heading before halftime.
The Wolverines had an opportunity to extend their lead before the break, but two costly offensive penalties derailed their final possession. What could have been a manageable drive turned into a difficult second-and-19 and eventually third-and-15 situation, forcing Michigan to punt the football back to Rutgers.
Despite scoring on its first two offensive possessions, Michigan went into the locker room with only a one-point advantage.
The Wolverines opened the second half much like they started the game, putting together another scoring drive. This time, Carr used his legs to finish the possession, running the football into the end zone for a touchdown that extended Michigan’s lead to 21-13.
Michigan’s defense also came out with renewed energy. The Wolverines forced a three-and-out on Rutgers’ opening possession of the second half and continued to make life difficult for the Scarlet Knights throughout the third quarter, forcing three-and-outs on both of Rutgers’ possessions in the period.
The Michigan team had an opportunity to create additional separation on its second possession of the half, but a missed 34-yard field goal kept the score at 21-13. The missed opportunity gave Rutgers some much-needed life and left the Scarlet Knights within striking distance.
Although the Wolverines controlled much of the third quarter defensively, Rutgers came up with another big play to make things interesting in the fourth. A 54-yard rushing play put the Scarlet Knights in position to score, and they eventually punched the ball into the end zone. Rutgers followed with a successful two-point conversion, tying the game at 21.
With the game hanging in the balance, Carr once again showed why the coaching staff has entrusted him with the starting quarterback position. With less than five minutes remaining, he took matters into his own hands, scrambling and breaking through the Rutgers defense for a 9-yard rushing touchdown. The score restored Michigan’s lead at 28-21 and ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.
One of the afternoon’s most memorable moments came immediately after Carr crossed the goal line. Underwood, who had previously held the starting quarterback position, was among the first teammates to come over and celebrate with him. It was a visible show of support from the Michigan captain and a reminder that, despite the change at quarterback, the team’s focus remains on winning together.
Rutgers still had an opportunity to respond, but Carr helped put the game away with another critical play. With less than two minutes remaining and the Scarlet Knights out of timeouts, he picked up a crucial first down, allowing Michigan to continue running the clock and eliminate Rutgers’ opportunity for another possession.
Carr emerged as the difference-maker, finishing the afternoon completing 22 of 27 passes for 266 passing yards while adding 54 yards on the ground. He accounted for 320 total yards and three touchdowns, including one passing touchdown and two rushing scores. Perhaps most importantly, he protected the football throughout the afternoon, finishing without a turnover.
While Michigan will certainly welcome its fifth victory of the season, the performance wasn’t without its concerns. The Wolverines showed flashes of offensive efficiency, particularly during their opening two drives, but struggled to consistently put Rutgers away.
Big plays allowed by the defense, including the 80-yard touchdown reception and the 54-yard rushing score, kept the Scarlet Knights in a game that Michigan had opportunities to control. Offensive penalties stalled important possessions, while defensive penalties also kept Scarlet Knights’ drives alive. And two missed field goals prevented the Wolverines from creating a more comfortable cushion.
The encouraging takeaway for Michigan is the continued development of Carr. After taking over the starting role from Underwood, Carr has now demonstrated an ability to move the offense through both the air and on the ground. His accuracy, mobility, decision-making and, most importantly, ability to protect the football were critical to Saturday’s victory.
Michigan (5-3) leaves New Jersey with a 28-21 Halloween victory, its fifth win of the season, and another opportunity to build confidence heading into the remaining games on its schedule. They return to Ann Arbor and will host their in-state rivals, the Michigan State Spartans (2-6), next week. Rutgers will travel to Chicago next week and take on the Northwestern Wildcats (6-1).