News - Michigan's Future Bright with Whittingham and Underwood

In a closely contested Cheez-It Citrus Bowl matchup, the Michigan Wolverines, led by interim head coach Biff Poggi, put up a valiant fight against the Texas Longhorns but ultimately fell short in a 41-27 loss. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood showcased both promise and areas for growth, concluding the game with 199 passing yards, gaining attention with three touchdowns and three interceptions, alongside 86 rushing yards over 12 attempts. In the midst of this bittersweet finale to his freshman season, Underwood garnered significant praise from Michigan's newly appointed head coach, Kyle Whittingham, who made his public debut in an ESPN booth interview. Whittingham, known for his remarkable tenure at Utah, where he achieved a 177-88 record, spoke glowingly about Underwood's capabilities and character. He emphasized the young quarterback's poise and leadership qualities, describing him as the right man to steer the Wolverines' future. Despite persistent rumors about Underwood entering the transfer portal, Whittingham's warm endorsement, combined with a meeting with Underwood’s family, seems to have strengthened the player's commitment to Michigan. A potentially storied chapter awaits the Wolverines with Whittingham steering the program and Underwood at the helm on the field. As Whittingham takes over in Ann Arbor, Underwood's freshman statistics reveal an area of focus for Michigan’s offense, particularly the need to improve their vertical passing game. Underwood closed the season with a 61.1% completion rate, throwing for 2,229 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions, alongside an additional 323 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. The Wolverines' faithful are optimistic that with Whittingham's strategic acumen and Underwood's evolving skill set, the team can overcome recent offensive struggles and chart a course toward success in the coming seasons.