Michigan football's 21-18 win over Penn State wasn't a thing of beauty. However, an ugly win is better than a pretty loss.
Saturday's game was the definition of ugly, at least until Tommy Carr started playing quarterback. In the first half, with Bryce Underwood at quarterback, Michigan managed just 80 yards. There were two turnovers and zero points scored.
Whether it was the quarterback, the play calling, or a combination of both, Kyle Whittingham was forced to make a change. It certainly provided a spark.
Carr wasn't spectacular. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 47 yards. He also ran four times for 36 yards and a touchdown, but the offense was much better with him in the game.
It's hard to see Michigan football going back to Underwood. It wasn't all his fault. Playing for Sherrone Moore certainly didn't help, and he probably needs a change of scenery.
For now, it feels like it's Tommy Carr's show. We will get more into that, but for now, here are three instant takeaways from the 21-18 win over Penn State.
Tommy Carr gave Michigan a spark
It was clear that Michigan needed a spark. Carr provided it. The Wolverines wouldn't have won the game without three turnovers forced by the defense. Rod Moore's interception changed the game. It just did.
The offense took advantage, though, with a 43-yard touchdown run from Bryson Kuzdal. Carr didn't do a ton passing the ball, but he converted a third-down completion. That opened things up for the first time this season; the threat of the pass was a real thing.
It just felt like everyone on the team wanted Carr to get a chance. Once he did, the offense looked better. It functioned better. We'll see what that looks like when teams get a chance to prepare for Carr, but he can run, too, and more than anything, he played mistake-free football.
If Michigan started Carr all season, the Wolverines might be 6-0. At the very least, he kept the season on life support Saturday.
Michigan's defense saved the day
Carr will be the story, but the defense saved the day. The Wolverines came up with three turnovers in the second half. That led to 14 points and helped seal the win.
Michigan was up just 14-11 when Chris Bracy forced his second turnover of the game. The junior safety came up with an interception in the third, then helped call game with a forced fumble.
The defense wasn't perfect. There were also some injuries at linebacker, and in the secondary, but with a competent offense, this defense is good enough to give this team a chance to win every game left on the schedule, including Ohio State.
Michigan might have found an identity
The Wolverines only had 36 rushing yards in the first half. In the second half, Michigan football had 175 yards. For the first time this season, a running back had a run of more than 20 yards.
The 43-yard touchdown by Kuzdal was the first explosive run of the season by a running back. Savion Hiter added 41 yards, giving the five-star freshman 78 yards on 11 carries. Jordan Marshall finished with 49 yards on 14 carries plus a touchdown. Carr added 36 on four carries, too.
That's four ball carriers with at least 36 rushing yards. That's the kind of running game Michigan needs to use in order to win. And on the three biggest run plays of the season, the Rhino was nowhere to be found.
Maybe Jason Beck finally learned a lesson, and now that defenses have to pay Carr more respect than Underwood, at least based on what we saw Saturday, this offense should be able to run the ball effectively. As long as that happens, Carr, armed with two NFL receivers should at least be able to function in the offense in a way that Underwood simply couldn't.
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