Photos and Story by Aaron J. Thornton
After a disappointing loss last week in Oklahoma, the Michigan Wolverines returned home to Michigan Stadium and thrashed the Central Michigan Chippewas by 60 points in front of 110,000 this past weekend and they did it without their Head Coach Sherrone Moore. Associate Head Coach Biff Poggi was given the call to replace Moore, who was serving the first of a three-game suspension resulting from the sign stealing investigation.
All the talk this season has been around Michigan Quarterback Bryce Underwood, who’s gained national attention as the No. 1 ranked recruit starting for the Wolverines. Underwood has received praise, but maybe more criticism over the first games of his career. After a mediocre first game against New Mexico, he struggled against a much tougher SEC opponent in Oklahoma in week two. Against the Chippewas however, we saw different play calling under Poggi, essentially many more plays that showcased the talent of the young Michigan Quarterback.
Underwood took advantage and delivered, looking almost like he was back in high school dominating Central Michigan’s defense as he shredded defenses when he was playing at nearby Belleville High. Poggi even called Underwood “Batman” in describing his superhero-like ability and performance after the game.
Behind Underwood, Michigan scored on each of its first two possessions to take an early lead and be up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. During those two scoring drives, not only did we see Underwood throw downfield more often than in previous games, but also his ability to run the ball as he had 16 yard and a 9-yard gains on the ground.
In the second quarter, it was more of the same. In fact, the Wolverines didn’t punt the ball at all in the first half of the game. On Michigan’s first possession of the second quarter, Underwood would have two more downfield completions finding freshman Andrew Marsh for 30 yards and Hogan Hansen for 26 yards. Then on first down from the 20 yard line, the fans in maize and blue were treated to something special. A designed quarterback run for Underwood who would successfully make it into the end zone for his first career rushing touchdown. Michigan’s lead grew to 21-0 on that four-play drive.
Not more than seventy seconds later, Michigan’s offense received the ball back after the defense forced CMU to turn the ball over on downs at the Central Michigan 34 yard line. With a short field, the Wolverines only needed two plays to score again on a freshman-to-freshman connection from Underwood to Marsh for seven more points to make the score 28-0.
After another three and out (Central’s fourth of the half), the Chippewas finally got something to go their way as Brenden Deasfernandes picked off Underwood midway through the second quarter. With the momentum from that interception, Central Michigan was able to move the ball downfield and into Michigan territory. Behind the arm and legs of backup Quarterback Angel Flores, the CMU offense at last was able to put points up on the board, but only three points from a 22-yard field goal made by Cade Graham. With less than two minutes left in the half, it appeared Central would go into the locker room down 28-3. Unfortunately for CMU, Michigan used a successful two-minute drill to go 79 yards and add another seven points to their lead to make the score 35-3 at half time.
The second half wasn’t very different as the Wolverines kept their foot on the gas pedal and continued to be in complete control. Right from the beginning of the third quarter, the Michigan defense forced Central into another three and out and then the offense moved the ball with ease again, scoring on their first series after the break when Jordan Marshall ran the ball in for a touchdown (his second on the day). And on the next series, Underwood scrambled and picked up his second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from 18 yards away.
With Michigan up 49-3, it was time for the reserves to get playing time and opportunities. Junior Running Back Bryson Kuzdzal saw the field and scored his first Michigan career touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Later in the final quarter, another Wolverines Running Back, freshman Jasper Parker, took the hand off scoring for Michigan. At the end of the game, it was Michigan scoring nine total touchdowns and racking up 616 total yards of offense.
Underwood accounted for three of the nine scores (two on the ground) and led the team in rushing with 114 yards. He also completed 16 of 25 passes in the game for 235 yards in the air with only one interception. Michigan had two players with over 100 yards rushing in the game as Junior Running Back Justice Haynes ran for 104 yards as well.
The highlights didn’t just come on offense for the Wolverines as the Michigan defense also played exceptionally well. Let’s start with the team holding the Chippewas to negative total yards in the first quarter and zero touchdowns in the game. Overall, CMU had only 139 yards and converted just eight first downs against a very stingy, quick and physical defense led by Jaishawn Barham who had two of the team’s three sacks (the other by Jyaire Hill). And we certainly cannot forget about freshman Elijah Dotson who wasn’t going to let Underwood, his former high school teammate and friend from Belleville, have all the highlights. Dotson had one of his own getting his first career interception in the third quarter.
Next week, Michigan (2-1) will open up Big Ten play on the road at Nebraska (3-0). Central Michigan (1-2) will look to rebound from the loss as they host Wagner (0-3).
Final Score: Michigan 63 – Central Michigan 3
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