Michigan needed a half to get going, but once the Wolverines found their footing, UTEP had no answer. What started as a sluggish afternoon turned into a 52-17 Michigan rout, powered by a huge third quarter and a clean, efficient day from Bryce Underwood.
The Wolverines fell behind 7-0 early, then worked their way into control before the break. Michigan put up 17 points in the second quarter to grab a 17-14 lead at halftime, then slammed the door with 28 points in the third quarter. That surge flipped the game from tense to one-sided in a hurry.
Underwood was the engine throughout. The sophomore went 19 of 25 for 223 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 22 yards on six carries.
He didn’t need to force anything. He just kept the offense on track, completed 76% of his throws and made the steady plays that let Michigan keep stacking drives.
His scoring passes went to Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan. Marsh was the top target in the passing game, finishing with 10 catches for 105 yards, while Buchanan added seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. Together, they accounted for most of Underwood’s production and gave him dependable answers all game long.
Michigan also got enough from its ground game to keep UTEP honest. Jordan Marshall was banged up and exited a little dinged up, which opened the door for freshman Savion Hiter.
No. 5 led the Wolverines with 62 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Marshall still chipped in 59 yards and a score on 12 attempts before leaving.
As a team, Michigan ran for 181 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
The defense tightened the screws once the game settled in. UTEP finished with only 150 total yards, including 93 through the air and 57 on the ground. The Miners also went just 2 of 12 on third down.
By the end, the numbers told the story clearly: Michigan piled up 431 total yards and 27 first downs, while UTEP managed just nine first downs all afternoon.
In Other News...
Michigan Fans May Need To Rethink Pregame Plans For UTEP
Michigan fans heading into the UTEP game may need a little more flexibility in their usual Saturday routine. Michigan Athletics and public safety officials are keeping an eye on weather conditions that could affect the schedule, including possible delays to gate openings and parking access, with the university directing fans to rely on official athletics channels for the latest updates.
For a No. 19 Michigan team that is 2-0, the on-field focus remains the same, but the pregame experience may look different depending on how the weather develops. If gates do not open on time, fans are being told to stay in safe locations and wait for further guidance, a reminder that the logistics around kickoff can shift quickly even when the game itself is still on track. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Still Has One Big Concern After Another Blowout Win
Michigan kept rolling in a 52-17 win over UTEP to move to 3-0, and the final score reflected how thoroughly the Wolverines took control after shaking off a sluggish start. Early turnovers could have made things interesting, but the offense settled in and the second half turned into another convincing display, with quarterback Bryce Underwood throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns in just three quarters.
Andrew Marsh was a bright spot again, finishing with 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, giving Michigan another reliable target as the passing game found a rhythm. The defense also settled in after a few early mistakes, but even in a blowout like this, the game did not fully erase the concern that has lingered around the Wolverines through the opening stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Finally Found Some Offense But A Bigger Worry Is Growing
Michigan finally got the kind of offensive afternoon it had been waiting for, rolling past UTEP 52-17 as Bryce Underwood looked more comfortable as a passer and the unit found more rhythm than it had shown earlier in the season. There was even a milestone for the freshman group, with Tommy Carr tossing his first career touchdown pass, a small but useful sign that Michigan was getting production from more than one spot on the field.
Still, the more immediate concern out of the win may be on the other side of the ledger, where the injury list keeps getting harder to ignore. Right tackle Andrew Sprague, running back Jordan Marshall and cornerback Zeke Berry all missed time or were limited, and for a team trying to build momentum, those absences could matter as much as any box score improvement. Michigan got the offense it needed Saturday, but the health of a few key players is becoming a bigger storyline by the week. [Read more 🡒]