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Tommy Carr willed Michigan to a 21-18 win over Penn State for first Big Ten win

Tommy Carr just proved why he is the better choice for Michigan going forward.
ByEricka Brockish
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Oct 17, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) runs the ball passed Penn State Nittany Lions defensive back Marcus Neal (31) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Oct 17, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) runs the ball passed Penn State Nittany Lions defensive back Marcus Neal (31) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kyle Whittingham has his first official win in the Big Ten, and it came on the back of quarterback Tommy Carr. Michigan went into halftime down 3-0 to Penn State, and it felt like a change was imminent with Bryce Underwood throwing two first-half interceptions. When Carr jogged onto the field for the second half, something changed in this Michigan team.

Michigan's 21-18 win over Penn State for its first Big Ten win of the season moved the Wolverines to 4-2, but the game ball better be in the hands of Carr in the locker room. The morale for the Wolverines was at an all-time low going into halftime, but seeing Carr make some plays on his first drive, even though it ended with a punt, gave this team life.

"That was the idea at halftime was to try and create a spark, and Tommy did just that," Whittingham said on the field postgame.

The Michigan defense didn't give its best performance at times in the first half, but woke up in the second half with three turnovers, two interceptions, and a fumble that helped Carr tremendously on offense. Suddenly Michigan's run game exploded, and Carr made some great plays with his arm. It wasn't always pretty, but for a freshman coming in mid-game, Carr performed well.

Bryce Underwood has no buisiness being the Michigan starter going forward

If there is anything this game showed us, it's that Underwood should not be the starter going forward, and honestly Michigan fans figured that out a week ago. It isn't a coincidence that this team started playing better when Underwood was benched, and if Whittingham tries to go back to him next game, he might be fighting off a riot from fans.

Not only did Carr facilitate two drives that ended with rushing touchdowns, but he also added one of his own on a third-and-long that had his grandfather and Michigan legend, Lloyd Carr, smiling from his family box.

Offensive coordinator Jason Beck is going to have to step up the play calling if Carr is going to be the starter going forward. At times, it looked like Beck didn't trust that Carr could handle the offense, calling a lot of run plays when the pass would have been better.

Beck is going to have to open up the playbook with Carr in the game, who can throw and run the ball very well. Carr finished the game 5-for-7, the same number of completions as Underwood, for 47 yards, 36 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown. It isn't the flashiest stat line, but it was enough to help Michigan score 21 second-half points and get the win.

Now, if Carr is named the starter going forward, it's going to get harder from here on out, especially with film on him for other coaches to see. Carr could face an Indiana defense that just suffered its first loss since the 2024 season on Saturday, when the Hoosiers come to Ann Arbor for a Noon kickoff.

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