The No. 14 Michigan Wolverines defeated the New Mexico Lobos 34-17 on Saturday night at Michigan Stadium in their season opener.
Here are key takeaways from the game.
In his first career start, true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was often impressive. Underwood was 21-of-31 for 251 yards with one passing touchdown. Underwood’s completion percentage would have been even better if not for drops by Fredrick Moore and Andrew Marsh. Underwood, who turned 18 just a couple of weeks ago, showed comfort in Michigan’s scheme and often got rid of the ball quickly and with authority. It’s clear Underwood has a cannon for an arm and is a beast of an athlete at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. While it was against an inferior team such as New Mexico, it was a nice first step to what could be a very fruitful career for Underwood. Underwood didn’t look like just a serviceable quarterback; he looked like someone who could develop into an elite college football QB.
Justice Haynes looks like a great addition
Alabama transfer running back Justice Haynes had a great first showing for his new team, rushing for 159 yards and three rushing scores on 16 carries. Michigan has depth at the position this year, and Jordan Marshall will have better days ahead after rushing for just 29 yards on 11 carries, but Haynes looks like he can be a difference maker and may be a legitimate RB1. Haynes has breakaway speed, shiftiness, quick-cutting abilities, as well as power. There’s a lot to like about Haynes.
Have you a day Marlin Klein
Tight end Marlin Klein is no longer playing second fiddle to Colston Loveland and is now a TE1 and a captain for Michigan. Klein had the best game of his career against New Mexico, hauling in six receptions for 93 yards and the first receiving touchdown of his career. Klein looked like a favorite target of Underwood and had some excellent route running throughout the game, as well as explosiveness. Michigan’s been fortunate to have a steady stream of talented tight ends, and Klein looks like the next man up to succeed at the position for the Wolverines.
A decent defensive effort
It wasn’t a perfect game for Michigan’s defense, as they allowed 17 points and 10 receptions and two touchdowns to receiver Dorian Thomas. However, for major parts of the game, Michigan’s defense was in control. Michigan allowed just 267 yards and only 61 rushing yards. Michigan held New Mexico to just 5-of-14 on third down, and the Lobos averaged just 3.5 yards per play. Cole Sullivan, Brandyn Hillman, and T.J. Guy had interceptions, Michigan had three sacks, and the defense had nine tackles for loss. All in all, it was a good first showing for Michigan’s defense in the second year under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
There’s hope, but a big test awaits at Oklahoma
Michigan’s offense looks much better than last season, the defense is likely to be at least in the top 10-15 in the nation, but how high their ceiling is as a team this year will greatly hinge on how they play next week at Oklahoma. The Sooners looked good in Week 1 in a 35-3 win over Illinois State. Washington transfer quarterback John Mateer will be a handful for Michigan, and it being a night game in Norman, Oklahoma, will test Bryce Underwood’s mettle and poise in his second career start. In the era of the expanded playoffs, a regular loss is no longer fatal, but a loss can also indicate the trajectory of a team. While there are plenty more positives than negatives for Michigan after beating New Mexico, we’ll start to find out next week who the 2025 Michigan Wolverines truly are.
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