No. 19 Michigan needed a wake-up call early, then delivered a knockout.
After a shaky start that had UTEP ahead twice and Michigan coughing up two touchdowns off turnovers, the Wolverines took control with a burst of 38 unanswered points and rolled to a 52-17 win Saturday in Ann Arbor.
Bryce Underwood helped steady things with two touchdown passes, Savion Hiter powered in for two rushing scores, and Michigan turned what had the feel of another uneasy afternoon into a comfortable blowout. The win moved the Wolverines to 3-0.
“We went into halftime - kind of like the same thing that we were thinking against Western Michigan - that we weren't giving it our all,” Hiter said. “So, we went out in the second half and finished the job.”
UTEP, now 1-2, made the most of Michigan’s early mistakes. The Miners recovered two first-half fumbles and cashed them in with touchdown throws from E.J. Colston - a 45-yarder to Carver Cheeks and an 18-yard strike to Lamar Sperling.
Michigan finally broke through in the closing moments of the half. Underwood hit JJ Buchanan on a 21-yard touchdown pass, then Trey Butkowski added a 49-yard field goal in the final 1:31 to give the Wolverines their first lead.
From there, the game tilted hard in Michigan’s favor. Underwood connected with Andrew Marsh on a 34-yard touchdown pass, and Jonah Lea'ea followed with an interception return for a score in the final 1:18 of the third quarter to push the margin to 45-14.
Underwood finished 19 of 25 for 223 yards with two touchdowns and one lost fumble. Marsh was the biggest target in the passing game, piling up 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Tommy Carr also got his first action in a Michigan uniform and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Salesi Moa. Carr’s family ties run deep: his grandfathers are former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and Tom Curtis, an All-America defensive back for the Wolverines, and his brother is Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.
Michigan also got a strong early run from Jordan Marshall, who rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the third quarter after his right leg got tangled up on a tackle. Whittingham said Marshall aggravated a nagging injury.
“We hope to have him ready to roll next week,” Whittingham said.
The Wolverines were also without starting offensive tackle Andrew Sprague and defensive back Zeke Berry, both held out because of injuries. Whittingham said he is hopeful both will be available next week at home against No. 18 Iowa.
The turnovers remain a real issue. Michigan has fumbled six times in three games and lost four of them. Underwood’s fumble against UTEP was his second of the season, and Hiter also put one on the ground.
“Big concern,” Whittingham said. “Hopefully that can slow down because six in three games is way too many.”
For UTEP, the loss extended a rough run against ranked teams. The Miners fell to 4-63 against AP Top 25 opponents, and their only road win over a ranked team came in 1974 against No. 14 Arizona State.
Michigan now turns to a home matchup with the Hawkeyes next Saturday in a battle of AP Top 25 teams. Marsh said the Wolverines are getting there, but the challenge changes quickly.
“We’ve gotten better each week and we’re just now starting to play our ball, to our level,” Marsh said. “But it’s real now and every game is a big game.”
In Other News...
Michigan Fans May Need To Rethink Pregame Plans For UTEP
Michigan fans headed to Saturdays game against UTEP may want to keep one eye on the forecast and another on Michigan Athletics social feeds. University and public safety officials are monitoring weather conditions that could affect the normal pregame routine, including when gates open and how easily fans can get into parking areas around the stadium.
With the No. 19 Wolverines already 2-0, the on-field focus remains on staying sharp in a nonconference tuneup. But for everyone planning to make a day of it, the bigger question is whether the usual arrival plan will hold up, and the school is urging fans to stay put in safe locations if openings are delayed and to keep checking official updates before heading over. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Underwood Is Giving Michigan Fans Real Hope And One Big Debate
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The bigger question now is how much of that promise can hold up when the spotlight stays on and the schedule gets less forgiving. Analyst Josh Pate said the Oklahoma win still left him unsure about Michigans consistency, which is the kind of follow-up debate a good September victory always seems to create. For the Wolverines, the appeal is obvious: Underwood looks like the kind of quarterback who can elevate everything around him, but the real test is whether the team can keep matching that standard week after week. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Is Building Real Momentum For An In-State Five-Star Flip
Michigan keeps pressing for one of the top in-state targets on its board, and five-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant is very much in the middle of that effort. The Oregon commit recently made it back to campus to watch a game, and he came away with a positive impression of the offense, another encouraging sign for a staff that has stayed engaged throughout his recruitment.
Position coach Micah Simon has remained in regular contact with Guerrant as Michigan works to keep its foot on the gas. For now, the receiver is still locked in on his high school season, but the Wolverines clearly have built enough traction to make this one worth watching as the next stretch of recruiting develops. [Read more 🡒]