The Michigan Wolverines are 1-0 in the Bryce Underwood era, as the Maize and Blue took care of business on Saturday night at the Big House against the New Mexico Lobos.
Here’s how it all went down.
First Quarter
It didn’t take long for the Wolverines to get on the scoreboard. After a couple first-down conversions from Underwood to Semaj Morgan, Alabama transfer running back Justice Haynes scored the first Michigan touchdown of the season from 56 yards out. The drive took just three minutes and three seconds off the clock. Michigan 7, New Mexico 0
Next up: the Michigan defense, and it did not disappoint. Wink Martindale’s squad forced a very quick three-and-out. Morgan muffed the punt on the return, but was lucky to recover it.
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Underwood and the offense got right back to work, picking up a third-down conversion that was followed by an immediate strike to tight end Marlin Klein for 25 yards. The Wolverines continued to meticulously go down the field to get within the red zone. And on 3rd-and-2, Haynes — with an incredible block from Underwood — scored his second touchdown of the first quarter. Michigan 14, New Mexico 0
The defense, for a second consecutive drive, forced a three-and-out. However, this time around, the Michigan offense wasn’t able to score and was forced to punt after picking up just one first down. The Lobos ran one play before the end of the quarter.
End of Q1: Michigan 14, New Mexico 0
Second Quarter
New Mexico came out swinging to start the second quarter. However, after a few good gains through the air, the Wolverines clamped down and forced yet another punt. Michigan’s offense went three-and-out, but edge rusher TJ Guy made one hell of an interception to give the ball right back to the offense at the 17 yard line.
Michigan wasn’t able to get it into the end zone, but Dominic Zvada did convert his first field goal of the season to make it a three-score lead. Michigan 17, New Mexico 0
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Following the turnover, the Lobos went on their best offensive drive of the game. The end of the drive resulted in a nine-yard touchdown on 4th-and-1 via a trick play. Michigan 17, New Mexico 7
True freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh fumbled on the kick return and gave it right back to the Lobos. Thankfully, the Wolverines’ defense locked in and forced a 44-yard field goal. Michigan 17, New Mexico 10
Underwood’s first test in the two-minute drill was passed with flying colors. Michigan went 75 yards in just one minute and 35 seconds, with Underwood tossing his first collegiate touchdown pass on a 15-yard strike to Klein on third down. Michigan 24, New Mexico 10
HALFTIME: Michigan 24, New Mexico 10
Third Quarter
The Lobos were able to get one first down before having to punt the ball away. The Wolverines, with some more nice plays by Underwood, went 73 yards in nine plays to get another three on the board from Zvada. Michigan 27, New Mexico 10
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The next drive was infuriating for Michigan. First, linebacker Jaishawn Barham was called for targeting and was ejected from the game and will be forced to miss the first half of next week’s game at Oklahoma. Then, a horribly called catch — which was definitely a dropped ball — set up the Lobos inside the red zone. This eventually led to a touchdown on 3rd-and-3 from Jack Layne to Dorian Thomas. Michigan 27, New Mexico 17
End of Q3: Michigan 27, New Mexico 17
Fourth Quarter
After Michigan punted before the end of the third quarter, Layne threw a pick on fourth down to safety Brandyn Hillman, which would have actually been better as a pass breakup.
However, Haynes ripped off another long run — 59 yards — to get to the New Mexico one yard line. He punched it in on the next play to secure the hat trick. Michigan 34, New Mexico 17
Much like all night long, New Mexico wasn’t going down without a fight. The Lobos got within the red zone yet again, but true freshman Nate Marshall got to Layne and forced an errant throw. That resulted in linebacker Cole Sullivan coming down with the interception.
Michigan went three-and-out once again to set up the Lobos near midfield. However, the Wolverines’ defense stepped up — true freshman edge rusher Nate Marshall and Sullivan, specifically — to turn the ball over on downs. The Wolverines also turned the ball over on downs and gave the ball back once more before the end of the game, but the Lobos weren’t able to put any more points on the board before time ran out.
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Final Score: Michigan 34, New Mexico 17
Michigan Stat Leaders
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QB Bryce Underwood: 21-of-31 for 251 yards and 1 TD
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RB Justice Haynes: 16 carries for 159 yards and 3 TDs
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TE Marlin Klein: 6 catches for 93 yards and 1 TD
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LB Ernest Hausmann: 8 tackles, 1 QBH
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LB Cole Sullivan: 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack, 1 TFL
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S Brandyn Hillman: 5 tackles, 1 INT, 0.5 TFL
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DE TJ Guy: 1 tackle, 1 INT
New Mexico Stat Leaders
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QB Jack Layne: 31-of-47 for 208 yards, 1 TD and 3 INTs
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RB Scottre Humphrey: 10 carries for 33 yards
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WR Dorian Thomas: 10 catches for 71 yards and 2 TDs
Michigan will hit the road next weekend to take on the Oklahoma Sooners. That game is set for a 7:30 p.m. start time and can be viewed on ABC.
