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U-M coach gives Underwood tepid backing as QB1
Confirmed
In Short: Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham provided lukewarm support for starting quarterback Bryce Underwood following a close 13-12 victory over Western Michigan.
Bryce Underwood, the starting quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines, threw a game-winning touchdown pass with one second remaining in the fourth quarter against Western Michigan, securing a narrow 13-12 victory. However, his performance was far from impressive, completing only 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards and finishing with a QBR of 52.9. Underwood also threw an interception and was sacked once, drawing criticism for not leading his team to a more convincing win.
Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham addressed the situation, stating, "I don't have a great explanation on that other than I hope we see improvement Week 1 to Week 2," according to CBS Sports. The Wolverines are breaking in a new offensive scheme this season under former Utah play-caller Jason Beck, who tabbed Underwood as his starter over Tommy Carr in fall camp. Underwood is a former No. 1 recruit from the 2025 recruiting class and signed a contract that pays him around $3.2 million this season as a sophomore.
Despite the narrow win, Underwood's performance revealed "ugly warts offensively for the Wolverines," according to CBS Sports. The team's head coach left room for someone else to take over should Underwood continue to underperform. Oklahoma defeated Michigan last season, 24-13, with Underwood completing 9 of 14 passes for 142 yards and no touchdowns. If Underwood and the offensive line struggle again, CBS Sports suggests that Carr, a former four-star signee, could come into the game to try and spark production early this fall.
Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor issued a strong statement after the game, though the exact quote is not provided. The Wolverines' head coach Kyle Whittingham stopped short of saying the job belonged to Underwood for the rest of the season, but he did express hope for improvement. Underwood's performance in the spring game was chalked up to a vanilla plan and two-high coverages, but his recent showing against Western Michigan did not meet expectations.
The new offensive scheme under Jason Beck is still in its early stages, and Underwood's performance will be crucial in determining his future as the starting quarterback. Michigan's next game will be a critical test for Underwood and the new offensive system, as the team faces a more formidable opponent.
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- U-M coach gives Underwood tepid backing as QB1 | ESPN La Crosse 105.5 You are using an outdated browser.
- Wolverines QB Bryce Underwood threw a Hail Mary that sailed incomplete as the clock hit zero, and Western Michigan players started celebrating what would have been a historic win.
- Underwood then launched another Hail Mary, and JJ Buchanan hauled it in for a 47-yard touchdown, giving Michigan the win.