Michigan got its fifth consecutive win on Saturday afternoon, defeating Maryland on the road by a 45-20 final score to advance to 9-2 overall and set up a massive game against Ohio State.
Plenty of players stood out in the win, but here are the select few that made the biggest impact and will take home a game ball for their efforts.
WR Andrew Marsh
How about picking right back up where you left off? It wasn’t quite the 189 yards he had at Northwestern last week, but freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh continued his
run of great play with five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown against the Terps.
Perhaps most notably, he helped Michigan’s passing offense find pay dirt for the first time since Oct. 18 with his first-quarter touchdown grab on a well-covered fade route. And just for the heck of it, he had a 39-yard kick return as well.
If it wasn’t obvious by now, Marsh is the best option the Wolverines have in the passing game, and Bryce Underwood is looking Marsh’s way early and often. Donaven McCulley and Channing Goodwin had solid games of their own today as well, and with Marsh continuing his breakout, the Wolverines are starting to look like they have a passing attack that should be much more of a factor against Ohio State next week.
Edge Jaishawn Barham
The last time Michigan and Maryland played was in 2023, with Michigan winning a nail-biter to keep its perfect season alive. However, then-sophomore Jaishawn Barham made his mark in the game with an interception of J.J. McCarthy near the end of the first half. Now playing for the Wolverines, Barham impressed in his homecoming and was an important piece in another solid outing for the Michigan defense.
With Ernest Hausmann out, there was perhaps a bit more on Barham’s plate, but he was unfazed finishing with four tackles, including two for a loss and a sack. It was another day where he showed to be a valuable chess piece in Wink Martindale’s defense, as he was chasing quarterback Malik Washington around and making plays against the run as well. He was the best defender on the field on Saturday, and Michigan will be looking for him to repeat his effort next week.
RB Bryson Kuzdzal and Offensive Line
No Justice Haynes, no Jordan Marshall, no problem for the running game. Bryson Kuzdzal filled in as the lead back, picking right back up where he finished against Northwestern. Kuzdzal ran the ball 20 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps what’s most impressive about Kuzdzal is his burst, and he showcased it more than a handful of times to take advantage of the holes the offensive line opened up for him.
Speaking of the offensive line, this is a group that has come into its own over the past several weeks. Things weren’t looking so hot for Michigan’s front through the first few games of the year, especially at Oklahoma. However, with three underclassmen in the lineup in Blake Frazier, Andrew Sprague and Jake Guarnera, Michigan’s offensive line is starting to look like a strength.
QB Bryce Underwood
Last but not least, how about Underwood bouncing back from his two interceptions last week and throwing a pair of touchdowns? Even though it wasn’t overly-flashy, he turned in exactly the type of performance that he needed by completing 16-of-23 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. He also chipped in with 20 rushing yards to help keep the chains moving on more than one occasion.
Over the last two games, Underwood has played about six quarters of clean and efficient football and is looking to hit his stride again at just the right time. He’s been solid over the last two games, but does he have one more in him?
