Ann Arbor, Mich. – Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham emphasized on Monday that sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood remains the Wolverines’ starter, even though his performance in the season‑opening win over Western Michigan left questions.
Underwood’s first‑game struggles
Underwood completed 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. He also led the team with 47 rushing yards, including a one‑yard run that capped the opening drive. The Wolverines eked out a 13‑12 victory thanks to a 47‑yard Hail Mary touchdown to JJ Buchanan as time expired, a play that came after replay officials added a single second to the clock.
Michigan’s offense sputtered early, recording four three‑and‑outs, punting six times and turning the ball over twice before the dramatic finish. Whittingham noted that the win was the team’s first points after a sluggish start.
Coach’s outlook on the quarterback position
“He’s our QB right now,” Whittingham said, underscoring that Underwood’s role is not guaranteed indefinitely. “It’s not something that’s infinite. At some point we’ve got to turn a corner and see improvement, and that applies to the coaches as well as Bryce.” The coach stressed that the responsibility for progress rests on the entire staff, not solely on the quarterback.
Whittingham expressed disappointment in Underwood’s lack of sharpness, describing the performance as “unfortunate” and “disappointing.” He added that the quarterback had been “very sharp all through fall camp,” and the staff hopes to see noticeable improvement between the first and second games.
Looking ahead to Oklahoma
Michigan prepares to host No. 10 Oklahoma (1‑0) this Saturday at the Big House. The upcoming contest will be a crucial test for Underwood and the offense as a whole. Whittingham believes the team’s desire to excel is strongest in Underwood, noting, “There’s nobody who wants to be great more so than Bryce.”
Underwood’s background and depth chart
As a freshman in 2025, Underwood posted a 60.3% completion rate, amassing 2,428 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions over 13 games, while also rushing for 392 yards and six scores. Freshman Tommy Carr serves as the backup; Carr is the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and the younger brother of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.
The Wolverines will look to build on the narrow win and address the offensive inconsistencies that surfaced against Western Michigan. With the season just beginning, Whittingham’s message is clear: the quarterback position remains open to competition, but Underwood retains the starting nod for now as the team seeks to improve its execution and results.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
