ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- While there has been consternation surrounding Michigan football quarterback Bryce Underwood entering 2026 and into the season, the Week 4 contest against Iowa didn't have a Bryce Underwood problem.
Underwood had perhaps his best game as a Wolverine, even if it wasn't his best from a statistical perspective. He went 17-for-28 for 276 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, and 14 carries for 36 yards, against a stout Iowa defense that many thought would be challenging for him to face. However, he looked down the barrel of Phil Parker's quarters coverage and dissected it piece by piece.
It was nearly enough to win the game. It should have been enough to win the game.
But why did Underwood feel like he was able to take
his game to the next level?
"This week, we emphasized trusting each other more, so that's what we did," Underwood said. "And we made plays every time the ball was in the air, or every opportunity that we could."
Ultimately, Michigan dominated the box score but not the scoreboard. Underwood did have an interception, but it was the untimely penalties that did the Wolverines in on one hand, and too conservative playcalling (like having Underwood under center for a fourth-and-1 or handing the ball off on a third-and-5 that could have ended the game).
Underwood says he's going to do everything he can to ensure that the offense won't be in this position going forward, and he's looking to see what he can improve upon.
"For me, it's going back to the drawing board and seeing things we gotta fix," Underwood said. "And not let those mistakes happen again so we can move forward and not lose."
Save for the two missed opportunities in the red zone (the fourth down and the turnover), Michigan got what it wanted against the Hawkeyes, Underwood says. Though it didn't work in Week 4 doesn't mean that the team cannot find ways to improve and be better.
After all, the new team motto this year is 'do more.'
"Our goal was to hold the ball and take control of the clock and everything, so that's what we did," Underwood said. "Coulda done better. Just gotta go back to the drawing board and figure out what we gotta do next to move forward."
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Bryce Underwood explains breakthrough performance despite Iowa loss
