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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The No. 19 Michigan Wolverines found themselves in an unfamiliar position early against UTEP on Saturday, trailing twice in the first half after turnovers led to two Miner touchdowns. For nearly 30 minutes, it appeared the winningest program in college football history might once again struggle against a Group of Six opponent in head coach Kyle Whittingham's first month at the helm.
Then the Wolverines flipped the script. Bryce Underwood tossed two touchdown passes and Savion Hiter added two rushing scores as Michigan pulled away for a 52-17 victory. The Wolverines (3-0) rattled off 38 consecutive points to transform what could have been an upset scare into a blowout, just two weeks after a controversial win over Western Michigan.
"We went into halftime kind of like the same thing that we were thinking against Western Michigan — that we weren't giving it our all," Hiter said. "So, we went out in the second half and finished the job."
The Miners (1-2) recovered two fumbles in the opening half and capitalized with two touchdown passes from E.J. Colston: a 45-yard strike to Carver Cheeks and an 18-yard connection with Lamar Sperling. But Michigan responded just before the break. Underwood found JJ Buchanan for a 21-yard score, and Trey Butkowski drilled a 49-yard field goal over the final 1:31 of the second quarter to give the Wolverines their first lead.
The momentum carried into the second half. Underwood connected with Andrew Marsh on a 34-yard touchdown, and Jonah Lea'ea returned an interception for a score over the last 1:18 of the third quarter, extending Michigan's advantage to 45-14. Underwood finished 19-of-25 for 223 yards with two touchdowns and a lost fumble. Marsh hauled in 10 receptions for 105 yards and a score.
Tommy Carr Adds to Family Legacy
Tommy Carr made his Michigan debut and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Salesi Moa. His grandfathers are former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and Tom Curtis, an All-America defensive back for the Wolverines, while his brother is Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.
Injury Report
Michigan's starting running back, Jordan Marshall, ran for 59 yards and a touchdown before exiting in the third quarter after his right leg got tangled up as he was tackled. Whittingham said Marshall aggravated a nagging injury. "We hope to have him ready to roll next week," Whittingham said. Starting offensive tackle Andrew Sprague and defensive back Zeke Berry were held out with injuries, but Whittingham is hopeful both will play next week at home against No. 18 Iowa.
The Takeaway
UTEP: After leading twice in the first half, the finish was familiar. The Miners fell to 4-63 against AP Top 25 teams, and their only road win against a ranked opponent came in 1974 against No. 14 Arizona State.
Michigan: The Wolverines have fumbled six times in three games, losing four. Underwood lost his second fumble this season, and Hiter also lost one against UTEP. "Big concern," Whittingham said. "Hopefully that can slow down because six in three games is way too many."
Up Next
UTEP: Hosts Oregon State next Saturday.
Michigan: Hosts the Hawkeyes next Saturday in a matchup of AP Top 25 teams.
"We've gotten better each week and we're just now starting to play our ball, to our level," Marsh said. "But it's real now and every game is a big game."
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Originally reported by wxyz.