Michigan pulled off a miraculous — and extremely controversial — win over Western Michigan in Week 1 of the college-football season due to a Bryce Underwood Hail Mary. With one second left, Underwood uncorked a 47-yard go that fell into JJ Buchanan’s arms, giving Michigan a 13-12 victory.
It was a triumphant second in an in any other case tough recreation from Underwood, who turned the ball over twice and had simply 95 passing yards earlier than Michigan’s closing drive. Even the landing could not full salvage his efficiency. Underwood completed the competition 12 of twenty-two, with 170 yards and a landing. He threw an interception and misplaced a fumble through the recreation, permitting Western Michigan to hold round till the top.
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On Monday, Michigan coach Kyle Wittingham admitted Underwood’s grasp on the beginning function is “not infinite” after struggling the final thrice he took the sector.
Whereas that quote sounds excessive, Wittingham later appeared to again Underwood, saying everybody at Michigan wants to enhance proper now.
“Sooner or later, we have got to show a nook and we have got to see enchancment, as we have got to do with a bunch of stuff. We have to see enchancment out of the coaches. It is not simply on Bryce.”
Saturday’s recreation marked the third straight by which Underwood put up mediocre numbers. He closed out final season on a down notice, finishing simply 44 % of his passes in a 27-9 blowout loss to Ohio State and throwing three interceptions in a 41-27 loss to Texas within the Citrus Bowl.
Large issues had been anticipated from Underwood when he joined Michigan in 2025. Because the top-ranked participant in his class, Underwood was anticipated to develop right into a star-caliber participant. Whereas he had moments of excellence as a freshman, it was clear he nonetheless wanted to develop as a participant. Underwood completed his first season with 11 passing touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 13 video games.
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However Underwood acquired rave critiques for his efficiency within the offseason, with Wittingham confirming Monday that Underwood was “very sharp” throughout fall camp. Wittingham mentioned the workforce must see that very same degree of efficiency in dwell motion, and added that he hopes to see enchancment from Underwood in Week 2.
After Saturday’s efficiency, Michigan will want Underwood to place up numbers if the workforce hopes to defeat Oklahoma. The Sooners enter that matchup because the higher-rated squad and held UTEP to zero factors in a Week 1 win.
That ought to current fairly the problem to Underwood, who’s already going through questions on his job after a disappointing first recreation.