Well, well, well. The Michigan Wolverines just wrapped up their season opener, and let me tell you something – watching freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood take his first snaps in the Big House was like watching your kid ride a bike for the first time. You’re nervous, excited, and secretly wondering if someone’s going to end up face-first in the dirt.
Spoiler alert: nobody ate turf, and the Michigan Wolverines walked away with a solid 34-17 victory over New Mexico. But this wasn’t just any win – this was the dawn of a new era in Ann Arbor.
The Underwood Era Begins With Authority
Listen, I’ve seen plenty of freshman quarterbacks make their debuts, and most of them look like they’re trying to solve calculus while being chased by angry bears. Not Underwood. This kid stepped into Michigan Stadium like he owned the place, completing 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown.
Sure, those aren’t Heisman Trophy numbers, but for a freshman making his first start? That’s the kind of performance that makes you lean forward in your seat and think, “Okay, maybe we’ve got something here.”
The Michigan Wolverines haven’t had a freshman start at quarterback since Tate Forcier back in 2009, and before him, you’d have to go back to Chad Henne in 2004. So yeah, this was kind of a big deal. No pressure, kid.
Justice Haynes: The Transfer Portal Jackpot
While everyone was watching Underwood, Justice Haynes decided to steal the show with a performance that had Alabama fans probably wondering what they let walk out the door. The transfer running back torched New Mexico for 159 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries.
His first touchdown came on a 56-yard house call that took all of three minutes to set up. Then he punched in a 5-yard score later in the first quarter. But the real beauty was his 59-yard run in the fourth quarter that set up his hat trick touchdown from one yard out.
Defense Shows Promise Despite Some Growing Pains
The Michigan Wolverines defense had moments that made you want to stand up and cheer, and moments that made you want to hide behind your couch cushions. They forced multiple three-and-outs early, and linebacker Cole Sullivan had himself a night with an interception, a sack, and five tackles.
But let’s be real here – losing linebacker Jaishawn Barham to a targeting call that’ll keep him out of the first half against Oklahoma? That stings. And some of those New Mexico drives in the second half had Michigan fans reaching for their antacids.
The Road Ahead for Michigan Wolverines
Here’s where things get interesting. Next week, the Michigan Wolverines head to Norman to face Oklahoma. That’s not exactly a gentle step up from New Mexico – that’s more like going from riding a tricycle to driving in the Indianapolis 500.
But here’s what I saw Saturday night that gives me hope: Underwood didn’t try to do too much. He made smart throws, avoided the big mistake, and looked comfortable in the pocket. That’s exactly what you want from a freshman quarterback who’s about to face his first real test on the road.
The Michigan Wolverines are 1-0, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was promising. Sometimes that’s all you can ask for in a season opener. Now let’s see what this team is really made of when the lights get brighter and the stakes get higher.
