Things began eerily reminiscent of how the Western Michigan game unfolded two weeks ago. Then a Bryce Underwood turnover stalled the opening drive, and the Miners took advantage.
Another giveaway by Savion Hiter set the Miners up for paydirt one play later. Fortunately, it only lasted for the first half of play. Michigan football regrouped and dominated the second half by gaining more first downs than UTEP had points.
Thoughts on Michigan's assertive win
Michigan's defensive line lived in UTEP's backfield
Anytime UTEP lined up to run it in the second half, Michigan's defenders were in the backfield to create havoc. They erupted for 11 tackles for loss, and UTEP's starting quarterback rushed 12 times for -20 yards. It was the third time in his career that happened. Savion Hiter and Jordan Marshall out-rushed the Miners by a few yards, respectively.
Tariq Boney and Benny Patterson headed the charge with their energy and tackles for loss in the trenches. Jonah Lea' ea got a gift from EJ Colson, who threw it right to him as the third-quarter clock evaporated, and he waltzed into the end zone. UTEP did not even have 50 yards of total offense after exiting the locker room for halftime.
In Michigan's next 4 games they face 3 ranked teams plus Minnesota on the road. They finish with away games vs. Oregon and OSU, and MSU mixed in, an unpredictable rivalry game. Aside from possibly Rutgers, UM might just have had its last easy win of the year.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) September 20, 2026
Take away UTEP's two touchdowns and they didn't even eclipse 100 yards of offense
UTEP's longest drive of the day was 73 yards. They barely managed to move the ball 70 yards for the rest of the afternoon.
Jay Hill rotated his defenders wisely and played the backups late, including Max Alford, who made an impact in garbage time.
On their third scoring drive, UTEP was aided by the refs because of a questionable roughing-the-passer call that will be debated on film. In comparison to the Oklahoma defeat, UTEP gained more yards against the Sooners, but couldn't find the end zone as it did against Michigan.
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