Special teams have not been a quiet corner for Michigan this fall. Instead, they’ve become one of the few places where the Wolverines’ issues have been easy to spot, even for fans who usually only notice the third phase when something breaks down.
The biggest problem has shown up on punt return. Sophomore wide receiver Andrew Marsh has already dropped two punts, one against Minnesota and another against Western Michigan, and both mistakes cost Michigan dearly by wiping out a possession and handing the opponent strong field position.
Neither play was forced into chaos, either. Marsh was trying to fair catch both punts, so there wasn’t even a return chance on the table.
That led to a change for Michigan’s game against Penn State, with freshman wide receiver Salesi Moa taking over as the punt returner. Marsh has been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury, but the two muffed punts were the main reason for the switch.
“I thought he did some good things,” Whittingham said Monday of Moa. “One time we had a fair catch where he had some room. We would like to see a return there, but for a first-year guy who hadn’t done it all season - you’ve done it in practice obviously - I thought he did a nice job and he’ll continue to be the guy.”
Even when Michigan secures the ball, the return game still hasn’t produced much. The Wolverines are outside the top 100 nationally in punt return yards, which is partly tied to aggressive punt-block looks that naturally reduce protection. That’s a tough formula for any team, but especially one with an offense that is already among the worst in the country.
The punting itself has been uneven, too. Sophomore Cam Brown came in with a strong reputation after starring at UNLV last season, but he is still sitting outside the top 25 in NET punting. Brown has had a few punts pin opponents deep, but he knows there’s more work to do.
“I was really disappointed last game in having two touchbacks,” Brown said Oct. 13 of the game against the Golden Gophers. “I don’t want another touchback the rest of the year.
Obviously, the defense is really good so when I put them within the 10-yard line, we’re getting the ball straight back. … Fair catches, no return yards, that’s what I really want.”
He backed that up against the Nittany Lions on Saturday, punting twice and forcing two fair catches. But Brown’s growth is only part of the equation. Michigan’s outside gunners also have to be better, especially after several chances to down quality punts slipped away and gave opponents more breathing room than the Wolverines’ defense usually allows.
Still, there is one reason to believe the special teams can improve: the talent is there. Some programs avoid using their best players in the kicking game because of injury risk and fatigue, but Michigan is comfortable putting starters on punt units.
“I honestly don’t, (hear pushback) certainly not here and they’re eager to do it,” Coombs said of the starters playing special teams. “… There’s no untouchables, and coach Whittingham would tell you that. They don’t back away from that at all.”
In Other News...
Bryce Underwood Just Put Michigans Quarterback Future On Edge
Bryce Underwoods status has suddenly become one of the biggest talking points around Michigan, after the Wolverines made the move to bench him in favor of Tommy Carr for the upcoming game. Underwood arrived with enormous expectations and an NIL package reportedly worth more than $10 million, so any shift in his role carries immediate weight for the programs short- and long-term plans.
Underwood has not been confirmed as a portal entrant, but the possibility is enough to send the speculation machine into overdrive given how heavily Michigan invested in him. If he does decide to move on, familiar recruiting ties and roster needs would make places like LSU, Miami, Texas Tech, Georgia, and Kentucky worth watching closely, which is exactly why this situation feels so sensitive for a Wolverines team trying to protect its quarterback future. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Offense Just Took A Turn Fans Need To Watch
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Jeremiah Earby, the former Boise State cornerback, is now officially on the Michigan roster and eligible to play right away, adding another experienced piece to the secondary. The future also got a little brighter when three-star receiver Yuto Kawamura-Johnson flipped his commitment from Toledo to Michigan for the 2027 class, a reminder that the staff is still working to build depth even as the focus shifts to the present. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Fans Just Got A Tough New Bryce Underwood Reality
The quarterback conversation around Michigan has taken another turn, and it comes with a familiar name weighing in. Urban Meyer said on Outkick that Tommy Carr has positioned himself to be the starting quarterback over Bryce Underwood, pointing to Carrs performance and the way his game fits a similar offensive style. It is the kind of evaluation that keeps the focus on fit as much as talent, especially with a player like Underwood already drawing attention.
Meyer also made it clear this is not a knock on Underwoods ability. He described the young quarterback as talented and engaged, while noting that his role in the offense still has to be sorted out. Meyer added that he stays in regular contact with Kyle Whittingham, a detail that only adds to the sense that this is a developing situation rather than a settled one. [Read more 🡒]