After nearly losing to Western Michigan in Week 1, Michigan needed a convincing win over UTEP, their only other non-Power 4 opponent this season. The Wolverines had to follow up an impressive upset win over No. 11 Oklahoma, and while it took longer than it should have, the Wolverines delivered.
It was another slow start for the Wolverines that has everyone feeling some deja vu of Week 1. While penalties have been a problem in the first two weeks, it was turnovers against UTEP, with Bryce Underwood and Savion Hiter both losing fumbles. Even though UTEP scored first, Michigan answered with Hiter's first career touchdown as a Wolverine.
This game, though, was truly a tale of two halves, as Michigan looked like a completely different team in the second half than they did when only leading 17-14 after two quarters. The defensive play was stellar as always, but it was the offense that finally showed passion and enthusiasm, something Whittingham asked of his team during halftime.
"I told them in the first half we lacked passion and energy, and we didn't take care of the football," Whittingham said. "So if we take care of the football and play a little more excited, then we would be fine, and that's exactly what they did."
It seems simple, but clearly it worked for the Wolverines because they outscored the Miners 35-3 in the second half and got the blowout win they needed in non-conference play, it just took a little longer than fans probably would have liked.
Everyone got involved in Michigan's 52-17 blow out win over UTEP
This Michigan win doesn't belong to just one or two players; this was truly a team win for the Wolverines. When things looked bleak for the offense in the first half, the defense held it down, as it has all season, but in the second half, Underwood and Co. started to pull their weight.
It also wasn't just the run game offensively; the pass game finally showed up for the Wolverines. Speaking of showing up, Andrew Marsh finally clocked in this season, leading receivers with 10 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. JJ Buchanan wasn't too far behind with seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown as well.
Michigan was able to build enough of a lead to finally put some backups in, which included Michigan legacy Tommy Carr, who replaced Underwood midway through the fourth quarter. Not only did Carr get his first bit of action this season, but he also threw his first career touchdown with his family in the stands, bringing tears and cheers to their box.
What a moment 🤗
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 19, 2026
Come for @UMichFootball QB Tommy Carr tossing his first career TD, and stay for the Carr family celebrating.
Watch on BTN pic.twitter.com/J7QbNxeNyD
Carr wasn't the only freshman to have his first career touchdown, with Salesi Moa catching his pass for his first touchdown as a Wolverine. Hiter also found the end zone, not just once, but twice, finally finding his rhythm this season.
Whittingham's squad finally put together the performance it needed before conference play begins. It could have gone without the turnovers and struggles in the first half, but this team has proven to be resilient, and with Iowa up next, the Wolverines need to hunker down and get ready for some tougher games ahead of them.
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