Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood got benched to start the second half against Penn State on Saturday, a shocking move coach Kyle Whittingham finally made after what sounds like season-long pressure to do it. After an absolutely brutal first two quarters where the Wolverines couldn’t put a single point on the board, Whittingham pulled the trigger and sent the former five-star recruit to the sideline.
A Scoreless First Half Spells Disaster
You gotta be kidding me, right? Zero points in the first half of a big game? Michigan’s offense was a complete mess. We’re talking countless empty possessions thanks to faulty execution, two crushing interceptions, and Underwood throwing a bunch of short-armed passes that just weren’t getting the job done. This dude was the former No. 1 QB recruit, a sophomore with all the hype, but Saturday was not his day. Just earlier this week, offensive coordinator Jason Beck talked about the expectations on Underwood, saying he “cares, and he works hard” and handles “outside noise” well. But caring and working hard don’t put points on the board when you’re turning it over and missing throws. Something had to give.
Freshman Tommy Carr Steps Up
So, with Underwood on the bench, who did Michigan turn to? Freshman Tommy Carr. This kid, a former four-star signee himself, is no stranger to football lineage, being the grandson of former Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr. Before Saturday, he’d only seen action in one game this season, completing both passes he threw against UTEP. But guess what? It didn’t take long for Carr to make something happen. The Wolverines finally scored their first points of the game on Carr’s second possession! Bryson Kuzdzal broke loose for a 43-yard touchdown run after Penn State totally lost containment on the outside. That’s a huge shift in momentum, and it makes you wonder what’s really going on with Michigan’s QB room. Oh, and Carr’s older brother is Heisman Trophy candidate CJ Carr, the Notre Dame quarterback. Talk about a family of QBs.
What does this mean for Michigan? It means the starting quarterback job is officially up in the air, and the Wolverines have some serious questions to answer heading into whatever’s next. Does Carr get the start? Does Underwood get another shot? We’re all watching to see what happens next with this team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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