It took just two minutes into the new Michigan football season for Justice Haynes to find a gaping hole and hit the turbo boost for the first points of the new year. The burst went for 56 yards and was not the only 50 yard jaunt that he had on the night. He nearly took it the distance later in the fourth, for 59 yards, which propelled Haynes to his third score of the evening.
Haynes completely outran the New Mexico offense by more then 100 yards by himself. He managed to find the endzone seven times as a member of the Crimson Tide and almost had half as many scores in his Michigan debut. Haynes averaged a whopping 10 yards per carry thanks to his ability to find the creases against the outmatched New Mexico defense.
Credit to New Mexico. First year coach in a complete rebuild without much returning talent. They came ready to play tonight. Will take my L on Michigan. Wrong side.
— Adam Trigger (@AdamTriggerWT) August 31, 2025
Bryce Underwood accounted for the other touchdown through the air with his leading receiver Marlin Klein. Right before halftime Underwood took the offense down the field in a minute and a half with some precise throws. He zipped it to Channing Goodwin over the middle, in a tight window, for the longest play of the drive at 39 yards. He capped it off by freezing the defender in coverage to place it in the bucket for his tight end to waltz right in to the endzone.
Underwood finished with more passing yards than any Michigan quarterback had in 2024 and any freshman quarterback in Michigan history for a debut. He also didn't have any freshman-type moments. You really couldn't ask for a much better performance, even though he graded himself with a C-plus effort. His block to spring Haynes for a score will be discussed internally, even though it was justified.
Here are three takeaways from Saturday's win over the Lobos.