ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It didn’t take long for Michigan football to remind the country why they’re still considered one of the premier programs in college football. One week removed from a disappointing loss at Oklahoma, the Wolverines returned to The Big House with a statement performance, dismantling Central Michigan 63–3 in front of a raucous home crowd.
From the opening kickoff, the message was clear: Michigan was not about to let another sluggish start define their season. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, coming off his first real adversity of the year in Norman, delivered a dynamic performance that had fans back on their feet and opponents back on notice.
“We’re a dominant team,” Underwood said after the game, visibly fired up. “That’s really what we are. There’s no other way to put it. We’re gonna dominate every way possible, whatever. With what we got thrown at us, we’re gonna give back what we need to.”
A Perfectly Balanced Attack
Underwood threw for 235 yards and a touchdown through the air, showing poise in the pocket and command of Michigan’s offense. But where he truly punished Central Michigan was on the ground. The dual-threat quarterback added 114 rushing yards and two more scores with his legs, forcing the Chippewas to guess all afternoon and usually guess wrong.
What was perhaps most impressive is that Michigan’s offense never stalled — literally. The Wolverines never punted once in the game, turning nearly every possession into points until head coach Sherrone Moore emptied the bench in the fourth quarter.
“The guys were focused all week,” Moore said in his postgame press conference. “We wanted to see a response after what happened in Oklahoma. Bryce took control, the offensive line gave him time, and our run game clicked. When we’re playing like that, we’re hard to stop.”
Flushing Out the Mistakes
Despite the lopsided final score, the day wasn’t completely without blemishes. Underwood threw the first interception of his young college career in the first quarter — an underthrown ball that was picked off in the red zone. But instead of rattling him, the turnover seemed to light a fire under the Wolverines’ offense.
“That pick, it was on me,” Underwood admitted. “But we just went right back out and kept playing. You can’t let one mistake define you. That’s what last week taught me — you’ve got to stay even, stay in attack mode.”
Following the interception, Michigan rattled off five consecutive touchdown drives, turning what was a modest 7–3 game into a 42–3 halftime blowout.
Defense Puts the Clamp Down
While Underwood and the offense grabbed the headlines, Michigan’s defense quietly turned in a near-perfect performance. Central Michigan managed just three points the entire game, all coming on their opening drive. After that, the Chippewas were completely smothered, tallying fewer than 150 total yards and failing to cross midfield for the entire second half.
Linebacker Junior Colson led the way with nine tackles and two sacks, flying all over the field and setting the tone for a defense that looked much more disciplined than it did a week ago. The secondary also came up with two interceptions, one by safety Rod Moore and another by freshman corner Jyaire Hill, both of which snuffed out CMU’s best scoring chances.
“We were embarrassed by how we played last week,” Colson said. “So we came out with something to prove. This is what Michigan defense is supposed to look like.”
Central Michigan Coach Tips His Hat
After the game, CMU head coach Matt Drinkall kept his comments short but respectful, praising both Michigan’s talent and Underwood’s growth.
“That’s a heck of a football team over there,” Drinkall said. “Bryce Underwood is the real deal. He can beat you with his arm and his legs. They’ve got playmakers at every level, and if they play like that every week, they’re going to be a tough out for anybody.”
The Bryce Underwood Factor
Underwood’s performance is particularly encouraging for Michigan fans who feared the freshman might be shaken after last week’s 34–14 loss to Oklahoma. That game saw him pressured constantly, resulting in sacks, rushed throws, and a lack of rhythm for the entire offense.
Saturday was the complete opposite. Underwood looked comfortable, patient, and in total control. His ability to extend plays with his legs created easy throwing lanes for receivers and kept the Chippewa defense off balance.
“He’s just getting started,” Moore said of his quarterback. “You saw today how dangerous he can be when he’s confident and in rhythm. He’s going to keep getting better.”
Looking Ahead
Michigan’s schedule doesn’t get easier from here. The Wolverines are set to face a tough Big Ten slate, starting with a primetime matchup against Wisconsin next weekend. The Badgers boast one of the league’s top defenses and will provide a much tougher test for Underwood and company.
But after Saturday’s performance, confidence is running high in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines showed that their stumble in Norman was an outlier, not a sign of things to come.
“We know who we are now,” Underwood said. “We’ve just got to keep playing our game. If we do that, it doesn’t matter who’s across from us.”
Fans Back on Board
Perhaps just as important as the win itself was the energy it restored to the Michigan fanbase. After a week of criticism and doubt, The Big House was rocking from start to finish. Chants of “Let’s Go Blue!” echoed through the stadium as Underwood scored his second rushing touchdown in the third quarter, a 35-yard dash that brought the crowd to its feet.
“That’s why you come to Michigan,” Underwood said, smiling. “To play in front of 100,000 fans and give them something to cheer about. Today was special.”
Final Thoughts
If this game was meant to be a measuring stick for where Michigan stands after its early-season adversity, the Wolverines passed with flying colors. The offense was balanced, explosive, and mistake-free after the opening turnover. The defense looked locked in and played with edge. And most importantly, their young quarterback responded to adversity with the best performance of his career.
Yes, the opponent was overmatched. Yes, the real tests are coming. But for one Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan football looked every bit like the contender its fans hoped it would be.
The message from Bryce Underwood and his teammates is clear: the Wolverines are back — and they plan to dominate every way possible.
