The first drive for Michigan may not have been the prettiest towards the end, but it was everything a Michigan fan could have asked for. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck proved he is ready to show off Bryce Underwood simply by motioning the running back out of the backfield on the first play and calling for a pass for the Michigan gunslinger.
It was pass after pass after pass for Underwood, and then he got to use his legs a bit, something Sherrone Moore rarely let him do last season. Underwood even showcased great decision-making with a strong throw to JJ Buchanan with a SportsCenter Top 10 highlight catch.
Now, it was just the first drive, and the offense since has shown a few cracks, but let's focus on the good, as these fans did on social media.
Michigan fans are loving what they saw from Bryce Underwood on Michigan's opening drive
Excellent first drive for Michigan. Bryce Underwood looked dynamic and much more decisive. A good start.
— Evan Glotzer (@evanglotzer) September 5, 2026
Along with being more decisive, Underwood showed off the improved footwork and took care of the ball. The throw to JJ Buchanan was a little nerve-racking, but Underwood saw his man and got it to him.
I’ve seen enough Bryce underwood for heisman pic.twitter.com/7afmI04B5x
— GridironLeo (@RealGridironLeo) September 5, 2026
Alright, it is the first drive of the first game, let's maybe temper expectations just a bit, but it definitely was a good start to the game, and a great start for Underwood.
Excellent opening drive by Michigan!
— Troy the Panda (MEECHIGAN IS BACK!) (@JusABear04) September 5, 2026
This is the Bryce Underwood we wanted to see!
Let's see if he can do it all game!
#16 Michigan 7 Western Michigan 0#GoBlue 〽️🏈🐼💙💛
Underwood can't be judged on his true freshman season, when he didn't have a quarterbacks coach and lacked many quality weapons around him. This offense is stacked, and Underwood is already delivering on some of that offseason hype.
Bryce Underwood looks so much better, amazing what an actual QB coach gets you 😍
— jake (@jakenbake89) September 5, 2026
Not only does Underwood have a better offensive coordinator in Jason Beck, but a quarterback coach as well in Koy Detmer Jr., something he didn't last season. Beck knows how to coach quarterbacks, and it is showing with Underwood on that first drive. He showcased the improvement made in the offseason,
Seems pretty clear to me…Jason Beck is really damn confident in Bryce Underwood.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) September 5, 2026
He just threw a ton on him in that first drive. It wasn’t perfect. But good start.
That first drive was simply a Bryce Underwood show, showing off his arm and a couple of quarterback-designed runs as well. Beck wanted to quell any worries that Underwood wasn't legit, and he made a convincing argument with that first drive.
It was not a perfect first drive, especially with play-calling in the red zone, but it ended in an Underwood touchdown, and that is always something to celebrate.
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