Michigan to Keep Bryce Underwood as Starting Quarterback Despite Opening Loss
Coach Kyle Whittingham said Michigan will continue to start Bryce Underwood at quarterback, acknowledging the need for improvement after a narrow win over Western Michigan.
Michigan will retain Bryce Underwood as its starting quarterback for the upcoming game, coach Kyle Whittingham said on Monday, while noting that the team must improve its performance. Underwood, the former No. 1 overall recruit, completed 12 of 20 passes in a 13-12 victory over Western Michigan, highlighted by a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown to JJ Buchanan on the final play.
Whittingham emphasized that Underwood is the quarterback "right now" but added that the program cannot remain stagnant. > "At some point, we've got to turn a corner and we have to see improvement, not just from Bryce but from the coaches as well," he said.
The quarterback posted 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a true freshman in 2025, and was a priority for Whittingham after the coach was hired in December. Despite positive evaluations during training camp, Underwood's performance in the season opener fell short of expectations.
Michigan's next opponent is No. 10 Oklahoma, a team that limited Underwood to 9-of-24 passing for 142 yards in a 24-13 loss last season. Freshman Tommy Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, has been listed as the backup and has taken a few practice reps with the starting offense.