The Wolverines took care of business against the Chippewas on Saturday, 63-3. In blowouts like this, it’s nice to get the younger, inexperiences players some game time on the field. Ten true freshmen made their collegiate debuts this weekend for the Wolverines, and 19 total first-year players were on the field on Saturday.
Here are the freshmen who have seen playing time this season. An asterisk (*) indicates they played in the game against Central Michigan.
- QB Bryce Underwood* (3 games)
- RB Jasper Parker* (2 games)
- WR Andrew Marsh* (3 games)
- WR Jacob Washington* (1 game)
- WR Jamar Browder* (1 game)
- TE Eli Owens* (1 game)
- OL Avery Gach* (1 game)
- OL Kaden Strayhorn* (1 game)
- OL Ty Haywood* (1 game)
- Edge Nate Marshall* (3 games)
- DL Benny Patterson* (2 games)
- DL Travis Moten* (1 game)
- DL Bobby Kanka* (1 game)
- LB Chase Taylor* (2 games)
- DB Elijah Dotson* (2 games)
- DB Jordan Young* (2 games)
- DB Jayden Sanders* (3 games)
- DB Shamari Earls* (1 game)
- DB Kainoa Winston* (1 game)
In less than three quarters of play, Underwood
accounted for 235 passing yards and one touchdown, and 114 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. His talent is matched by his preparedness — the moment doesn’t seem too big for him as a player. Despite throwing an interception in this game, he didn’t let that get to him and he played an otherwise flawless game.
Marsh is continuing to show us why he’s getting minutes early in his career. While he’s been on the field mostly on special teams, he finally picked up a touchdown against Central Michigan. In addition to his 23-yard rushing score, he also had a 30-yard catch. Not a bad outing.
Parker accounted for 45 yards and his first college touchdown. Bringing in Tony Alford to coach the running backs was clearly a good move because Parker’s vision looks good already.
Every freshman defensive back played in this one — Jayden Sanders, Jordan Young and Kainoa Winston all chipped in with two tackles each, Shamari Earls returned from injury and played late in the game, and Elijah Dotson came up big with an interception in the third quarter.
Other defensive players had an impact in this gae as well. Linebacker Chase Taylor and defensive lineman Bobby Kanka had tackles, defensive lineman Benny Patterson took a few snaps at edge, and edge rusher Nate Marshall also saw playing time again before leaving early due to an injury.
The coaching staff also managed to play true freshmen offensive linemen Ty Haywood, Avery Gach and Kayden Strayhorn for the first time. Wide receivers Jamar Browder and Jacob Washington also made their Michigan debuts. These are areas where the coaches are still trying to figure out the kind of depth they have to work with, so it’s nice they were able to get them some experience in the event they’re needed down the line.
Next week, the Wolverines travel to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Bryce Underwood and the Wolverines will have a chance to redeem themselves on the road with a win. They’ll be missing head coach Sherrone Moore again, but his team seemed to have a good plan established for this game. Let’s hope that success continues on the road.
