The Bryce Underwood era is officially underway with his first collegiate football game as Michigan’s Quarterback in the books. And what a way to start by beating the New Mexico Lobos 34-17 in Ann Arbor in front of 110,000 fans. The No. 14 ranked Michigan Wolverines won the game but despite the score, New Mexico didn’t make it easy after they seemed to relax from their combined nervousness, anxiety, and excitement of playing in The Big House for the first time ever.
From the start of the game, and even before, all eyes were on the true Freshman and No. 1 ranked recruit Underwood. After last season which saw multiple quarterbacks start and play without one really securing the QB1 title, Underwood, and his $14 Million+ NIL deal, was expected to be the answer for the future.
Michigan received the ball first in the game and Underwood galloped onto the field with more energy than a charged electron. The first play of the game for Underwood as the signal caller, an 11-yard completion for a first down to Semaj Morgan. A few plays later on the same drive, he handed the ball off to transfer Running Back Justice Haynes who broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run. Just like that, less than two minutes into the game, it was Michigan up 7-0.
Michigan’s defense, which was expected to be solid again this year, then forced New Mexico to a quick three and out and the Wolverines were back on offense. The second series for Michigan, more completed passes by Underwood mixed in with some physical running by Haynes and second year Running Back Jordan Marshall and again, another touchdown. It was 14-0 after Haynes ran the ball in from 5 yards out to score his second touchdown of the game and complete the 73 yard Wolverine drive.
An impressive first quarter indeed, as Michigan’s offense moved the ball easily and the defense held New Mexico scoreless to end the quarter with a 14-0 lead.
It looked as if the game was headed toward being a blowout but the Lobos settled down and found some success in throwing quick passes in the second quarter. With about two minutes left in the first half, and after a Michigan field goal in the quarter to increase the lead to 17 points, New Mexico finally answered with a drive that resulted in a 4th and one trick play touchdown pass from Running Back D.J. McKinney to Tight End Dorian Thomas from 9 yards out.
The touchdown cut the Michigan lead to ten points and the Lobos would find some good luck on the ensuing kickoff as Freshman Kick Returner Andrew Marsh for Michigan fumbled the ball at the Michigan 29 yard line. The fumbled, recovered by Charles Steinkamp of the Lobos, gave UNM another opportunity to tie or cut into the lead just before halftime. Michigan’s defense would however stand tall and New Mexico would have to settle for a field goal to make it 17-10 with just under two minutes left in the half.
Unfortunately for the Lobos, that’s all the time Underwood needed to show why he was the No.1 ranked recruit in the nation. He completed not one, two, or three passes but five in total on the last drive of the half and led the Wolverines downfield to add another seven points to the scoreboard. Underwood’s first passing touchdown of his career was in the books, a 15 yard strike to Marlin Klein on another impressive drive by Michigan. New Mexico would take a knee on their next possession to end the half down 24-10.
The second half of the game played out a bit differently as Michigan’s offense slowed down and New Mexico adjusted. The Lobos started the second half with the ball but unfortunately, their opening drive of the half could not get much momentum as they ended up punting the ball back to Michigan after just four plays.
The Wolverines’ started their first drive of the second half deep in their own territory but Underwood continued where he left off, coming out completing his first pass of the half to Marlin Klein for 27 yards. He followed that up with a 30 yard pass completion to Kendrick Bell a couple plays later and Michigan was in New Mexico territory looking to add to their lead. The drive ended with more points on the scoreboard, but not the seven points most in attendance wanted as the Wolverines settled for a 39 yard field goal by Zvada to make the score 27-10 Michigan.
The Lobos’ next series would start with a highlight for the Wolverines that was then changed to a controversial penalty call. As New Mexico Quarterback Layne stepped back to throw the ball, Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham ran into the backfield for a sack that caused the ball to pop out. Barham picked up the fumble and ran the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. However after review of the play, and most of the fans thinking it would be overturned because Layne was down by contact, a penalty of targeting was called instead and Barham ejected for the rest of the game and the first half of Michigan’s next contest as well.
Was it targeting? Barham’s helmet did indeed make contact with Layne’s helmet but what many questioned was if he led with the crown of his helmet in making the contact. Head Coach Sherrone Moore did comment in the post game press conference that Michigan would appeal the penalty and punishment.
After the 15 yard penalty was added, the Lobos were at midfield and took advantage, driving downfield scoring their second touchdown of the game on a three yard reception by Thomas again in the end zone, this time from Layne and making the score 27-17 Wolverines.
Entering the fourth quarter, the ten point Michigan lead was still not enough for the crowd in Maize and Blue to be comfortable. That sense of comfort increased a little more as Brandyn Hillman intercepted a Layne pass on a fourth and nine play ending a possible scoring drive by the Lobos. Michigan’s offense took over at their own 20 yard line and five plays later, the Wolverines were threatening to score after Haynes broke free for a big 59 yard gain where he was caught by a defender at the 1 yard line. The very next play was for the touchdown by Haynes and pushed the score to 34-17 with approximately ten minutes left in the game.
New Mexico would find success again in the quick throws and move the ball against the Michigan defense, finding themselves in the Michigan red zone, looking to answer and keep the game within two scores. That plan was spoiled though by the Wolverines’ Cole Sullivan who would end up with Michigan’s third interception of the game at the Michigan three yard line. Sullivan would come up big again in the final quarter, later sacking Layne on fourth and four to create another turnover on downs for the Wolverines.
After forcing a Michigan turnover on downs less than two minutes later, New Mexico took that momentum and moved the ball down to the Michigan five yard line where it looked as if they would add one last touchdown before the end of the game. Of course it was only fitting that Michigan’s defense would step up again to finish the game with a sack by Troy Bowles resulting in the clock running out with the final score 34-17.
Coming into the game, Michigan’s defensive unit was expected to be good and rest assured, despite giving up 217 passing yards, they held New Mexico to only 50 rushing yards total in the game. The defense also had three interceptions and came up with some big stops throughout.
On the offense, Underwood answered a lot of questions and gave some confidence that he can add the effective quarterback play that seemed to be missing last year. Underwood finished completing 21 of 31 for 251 yards (93 of those yards to Klein) with one touchdown and no interceptions. The offense also showed the strength of the running game with Haynes gaining 159 rushing yards and Marshall adding 29 yards on the ground.
No. 14 Michigan (1-0) will travel to Norman, OK next week for a top 25 showdown against No. 18 ranked Oklahoma (1-0). New Mexico (0-1) will play their next game at home against Idaho State (0-2).
Final Score: Michigan 34 – New Mexico 17
