Here are three things to watch as No. 19 Michigan football prepares for its final nonconference game against UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 19, after beating Oklahoma 17-10 in Week 2 at Michigan Stadium.
Bryce Underwood's legs provide dimension
Michigan kept the training wheels on Bryce Underwood in 2025. While offensive coordinator Jason Beck is still being conservative with Underwood through the air, he unleashed him on the ground Saturday. Underwood ran a career-high 18 times for 87 yards, which included the longest rushing touchdown of his career to start the scoring. U-M's sophomore ran a speed option right before he faked the pitch, knifed up the field and juked to his left before he scampered up the left side line for a 38-yard touchdown.
In total, he ran for a career-high four first
downs, which was more than the rest of the team combined and forced a career-high eight missed tackles. For an offense that's largely been struggling, it's an added weapon that Beck needs at his disposal until the running backs find their footing and the passing game finds something that's more reliable than what's been on display through two weeks.
"Absolutely part of the game plan. Should have been a few more," Whittingham said of using Underwood's legs. "We had some reads that were poor reads, but the young running back is clamping down on the ball, so Bryce couldn't get it out of there. But it was part of the plan.
"We're not sitting here patting ourselves on the back saying we have all the answers. But we were certainly more efficient than last week."
[ MUST LISTEN: Reacting to Michigan's upset over Oklahoma. Make "Hail Yes!" your go-to Wolverines podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live on YouTube. ]
Michigan defense can carry the day
Michigan's defense looked good against Western Michigan. It looked fantastic against Oklahoma. U-M became the first team in since 2021 (Kansas) to shut the Sooners out at the half and never relented. The Wolverines held OU quarterback John Mateer to just 234 total yards of offense, more than 100 fewer yards than he had in the 2025 matchup.
Jay Hill's unit held Oklahoma to just 100 rushing yards and had eight tackles for loss, three sacks and forced a pair of turnovers. All three levels worked together in concert, with the front recording all the sacks and the back end forcing both turnovers.
First, Chris Bracy punched out a ball to force a fumble with Oklahoma in scoring range, then Jyaire Hill made the play of the day, intercepting a pass in Oklahoma territory and returning it 24 yards to set up the offense inside the 10, which led to the game-winning touchdown.
U-M has two touchdowns this season that didn't come on a Hail Mary or when the defense set the attack up in a goal-to-go situation. Still, the Wolverines are 2-0, largely because the defense has been borderline 2023-level to start the year.
“They’re committed to the run, and they’ve got good cover people and guys that can rush the passer,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables told reporters after the game. “Their unit is a really good unit because of all three levels. They’ve got really good players, and then they’re really well coached. They’re in a good scheme. Their coordinator, one of the best coordinators in the country.”
Putting the special in special teams
The defense was aided by frequently starting in fantastic position. The Sooners had 11 drives started inside their 15 on six occasions and beyond their own 25 just once. That was courtesy of U-M punter Cam Brown, who pinned Oklahoma inside its 20 on six of his seven punts, inside the 15 five times, and at the 1 on two occasions.
He should get legitimate consideration as Big Ten special teams player of the week for the effort. It wasn't just where the ball landed, but the hang time on his attempts which allowed the coverage team to get into position to stymie Isaiah Sategna, who only mustered three returns for 17 yards.
Kicker Trey Butkowski also did his job, making both extra points as well as the first field goal of his career, a 40-yarder that gave Michigan a two-score lead in the first half.
"Cam has proven to be a great weapon for us these first two weeks," Whittingham said on his postgame radio show. "The punt game is the most important phase in special teams, and right now, we're hitting on all cylinders in the punt game."
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bryce Underwood's legs have unlocked new level of Michigan offense
