The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546678
OCTOBER 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 33 up the scoreboard in a 17-10 victory against the then-No. 11 Sooners, need- ing an interception from Jyaire Hill to the OU 5-yard line to set up their last score, and were limited to 263 yards of total offense. But the plan was to play to the defense, use a heavy dose of quar- terback run (87 yards from Underwood), and survive. Outstanding defense and special teams allowed them to pick up a key early-season win. The dam finally broke a week later. After a slow start in which they fumbled twice on their first four possessions and fell behind 14-7, the Wolverines got the offense going and put up 45 of the team's 52 points in a 52-17 drubbing of UTEP. Underwood completed 19 of 25 passes for 223 yards, and sophomore receiver Andrew Marsh finally got in- volved with 10 receptions for 105 yards in the win, complemented by 92 receiv- ing yards from Buchanan. "We definitely had our most produc- tion in the last game, over 400 yards," Whittingham noted. "I thought Bryce obviously played his best game of the season, and the running game was more of what we want it to be. We're still not getting as much on the perimeter as we'd like, but it was good to see [fresh- man] Savion [Hiter] and Jordan Mar- shall get on track a little bit. I think they both went over 60 yards. "Big days from Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan … that was good to see An- drew break out and to have the type of game that he's very capable of having, a bunch of catches for over 100 yards." But the first-year Michigan coach was well aware the big tests were about to start a week later with the Big Ten opener looming against Iowa. "We have to continue on the path we're on," Whittingham said. "We made a bunch of first downs, scored a bunch of points. We realize obviously the de- gree of difficulty gets much higher this week, but I think it was a step forward for our offense when all was said and done." ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT That starts with the offensive line, which needed an overhaul when right tackle Andrew Sprague was a late scratch for the UTEP game. Whitting- ham reported Sept. 21 they weren't sure when they'd get him back but were "surprised" that he couldn't go. As a result, U-M moved Evan Link from left guard to left tackle and Blake Frazier from left tackle to right. Seniors Nathan Efobi and Brady Norton were the guards, and they'll continue to bat- tle and rotate depending on Sprague's availability. "I think they definitely played their best game this past week," Whitting- ham said. "They graded out pretty darn good, especially when you think that we didn't have one day of work with that configuration. "They've been coming along week by week, and I expect they're going to continue to get better as we continue to work with Coach [Jiim] Harding and get more familiar and comfortable with the offense." Though it has been better in pass pro- tection through three games, allowing 4 sacks and looking much better than a year ago, the offensive line still wasn't getting the push up front they were looking for. That was something Whit- tingham said needed to improve head- ing into Big Ten play. The running backs, meanwhile, got a boost from freshman Hiter, who ran for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 carries in the win over UTEP. Marshall has been slowed by a "nagging injury," Whittingham said, but he added 59 and had managed 135 on 34 carries through three contests. "If we can keep those two running backs healthy and at an upward tra- jectory, then I think we can have a run game that we can lean on very heav- ily," Whittingham said. "… And I think this O-line will continue to get better each week. If they do, then our offense is going to continue to ascend, as well, because it all starts up front." The biggest area of improvement, though, came in the passing game. The more they can stretch the defense, the more it loosens up the box and creates opportunity in the pass game, Whit- tingham noted. Though they needed more from the tight ends — 2 catches for 22 yards total from the group in three games won't cut it, though getting in- jured junior Hogan Hansen back should help — Underwood and the receivers will be the key here. "But you know, you've got to play to your strengths as well," Whittingham said. "Jason's tailoring the throw game to the strengths of Andrew and JJ, so we'll just continue to see how things evolve." The hope is to achieve a balance be- tween the passing game and the run game that they need to compete in a loaded Big Ten. ❑ Early Offensive Accolades STRONGEST POSITION GROUP: Wide receivers — Sophomore JJ Buchanan would be the team's offensive MVP through three games with 15 catches for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 47-yard Hail Mary game-winner against Western Michigan. They finally got soph- omore Andrew Marsh involved against UTEP. His 10 catches for 105 yards and a score were good to see. MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: Bryce Un- derwood — This team will go as Under- wood goes, and it's tough to figure out just what he's going to be. They used him as a runner in a victory over Oklahoma — they needed every one of his 87 yards on the ground — and while he got the pass- ing game going with 223 yards against UTEP, it's tough to know how much of that was a result of playing a bad team. M O ST I M P ROV E D P L AY E R : J a ke Guarnera — Tough one here, given there's room for improvement every- where. But head coach Kyle Whittingham singled the junior center out as one who had played extremely well in the first three games, calling him one of the Big Ten's best at his position. The others on the line need to follow his lead. IMPACT NEWCOMER: JJ Buchanan — The Utah transfer has been everything advertised and more, essentially saving the season with his Hail Mary grab set up by another big catch to midfield against Western Michigan. We expect freshman running back Savion Hiter to push him for this honor as the season progresses. POSITION THAT NEEDS THE MOST IM- PROVEMENT: Tight ends — This group managed only 2 catches for 22 yards through three games, both by former walk-on Jalen Hoffman. They love fresh- man Mason Bonner and hope veteran Hogan Hansen's return from injury can spark them, but there's been next to no production here. The blocking hasn't been all that great, either.