Michigan spent the first half flirting with trouble, then spent the rest of the afternoon reminding UTEP what a gap looks like when a team wakes up.
The Wolverines were down 14-7 late in the second quarter after two self-inflicted turnovers brought back some of the tension from Week 1 against Western Michigan. But Bryce Underwood hit JJ Buchanan for a touchdown, Michigan added a field goal before halftime, and that was the last time the game felt remotely competitive. From there, the Wolverines rolled to a 52-17 win and moved to 3-0 heading into Iowa next week.
The final score says blowout. The first half said something else.
Michigan’s offense put itself in a bind again, and the reason was the same one that has already shown up too often: turnovers. Underwood fumbled on the opening possession.
Savion Hiter fumbled in Michigan territory, and UTEP turned that into the lead. Jordan Marshall also put the ball on the ground, though his body touched the ground before it came loose.
That left Michigan staring at a familiar problem. Underwood had five fumbles in the first nine quarters this season, and that’s the kind of issue that can flip a game if it keeps hanging around.
Still, once the Wolverines settled in, the difference in talent and execution took over. Michigan controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides and never let UTEP keep pace once the second half started. The defense did have a shaky moment on the Miners’ first touchdown, when an assignment got blown, but overall it held up and kept doing its job.
The pass rush, in particular, looks absurdly deep. John Henry Daley and Dom Nichols continue to play like stars, and Michigan doesn’t seem to lose much when it rotates.
Cameron Brandt also showed his value by sliding inside and taking some snaps at tackle against UTEP. Then there’s the next wave: Nate Marshall, Benny Patterson, Carter Meadows and Tariq Boney all came in and made noise.
Boney stands out in that group. The three-star prospect keeps flashing, and it’s getting harder to imagine Michigan keeping him off the field much longer. He keeps making plays, and that’s the simplest way to earn more of them.
Underwood’s day was a step forward, even with the ball-security issues still hanging over him. He looked sharper than he did in Week 1 and even better than in Week 2.
The opponent mattered, sure, but he still needed a clean, productive game before Big Ten play began. He wasn’t as much of a threat as a runner, but he was efficient as a passer, and that mattered.
He showed touch, worked through progressions, and threw with accuracy. In three quarters, he finished with 223 passing yards and two touchdowns. For Michigan, that was the kind of outing that helps steady a young quarterback heading into a tougher stretch.
Andrew Marsh also got the kind of usage Michigan clearly wanted. He entered the game with five catches for 28 yards, and Kyle Whittingham said earlier in the week that the Wolverines wanted to get him involved early and often. Jason Beck did exactly that, calling short passes to Marsh on the first two plays of the game.
The plan worked. Marsh finished with 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, and JJ Buchanan also delivered a big performance.
With Big Ten play arriving next week, Michigan needed Marsh to leave this game with confidence, and he did exactly that. He looked like the version of himself that had been Underwood’s top target last season, and that connection showed signs of coming right back.
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 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 🡒]
Michigan's Big Win Couldn't Hide One Worry Before Iowa
Michigans 52-17 win over UTEP looked decisive once the Wolverines settled in, but the start offered a reminder that cleaner play still matters. After falling behind early because of turnovers, Michigan answered with 38 straight points, with Bryce Underwood throwing two touchdown passes and Savion Hiter adding two rushing scores to turn the afternoon into a runaway.
Jordan Marshalls leg injury lingered over the rest of the game and now gives the Wolverines something to monitor as they turn toward Iowa. Add in the fumble problems coach Kyle Whittingham pointed to after the game, and Michigans latest blowout came with at least one uncomfortable subplot beneath the final score. [Read more 🡒]