Bryce Underwood can run after all.
Michigan football fans were imploring the coaching staff to run the talented 5-star quarterback. Somebody listened. More likely, the coaches just realized they had to unleash Bryce Underwood for the Wolverines' offense to finally take off.
And in a game with designed runs, QB scrambles, and everything else, Underwood became the first Michigan football quarterback since Devin Gardner to rush for over 100 yards. He scored two touchdowns on the ground, plus had three runs of 20 yards or more.
Underwood was sharp as a passer, too. He connected with Semaj Morgan on a touchdown in the first quarter that made it 14-0. He finished 16 of 25 for 235 as a passer. There was one interception, but Underwood accounted for 349 total yards (114 on the ground).
Michigan football had 49 points on the board when he left the game. U-M had 520 yards of total offense and after a conversative game plan a week ago, the offense was opened up.
Hopefully, we see more of that against Nebraska. It was clear that Michigan wasn't going to win running the ball up the middle. It. needed to get creative, and with Underwood, it's easy to do. The defense dominated, too.
Biff Poggi said that Michigan's performance was a "love letter" to head coach Sherrone Moore. They will have another to write next week, and looking back on a dominant win over Central Michigan, here are the gut reactions.
Gut reactions from Michigan football win vs. Central Michigan
- Bryce Underwood is a superstar. It's obvious. Just let him cook.
- Chip Lindsey deserves his flowers. Remember, Sherrone Moore was involved with the game plan, though. This didn't happen because he was suspended.
- The offensive adjustment was needed. This offensive line isn't a battering ram.
- Michigan bounced back like it needed, too. The offense needed this.
- Jaishawn Barham playing at EDGE is the right move. He can move between that and linebacker but his pass-rush skills are too good to be wasted, especially since the pass rush has been mediocre.
- The O-line wasn't perfect. Bryce helped it out a lot with his feet -- another reason he should be trusted.
- Michigan threw to set up the run. That's how you get people out of the box.
- The "wide-open" offense still achieved over 300 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
- It was a lunch pail day for the defense, but it forced multiple sacks and takeaways. It looked like the Michigan defense.
- This was a positive step. Next week is a must-win.