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Think Bryce Underwood dazzled in his first start? The true freshman quarterback doesn’t see it that way.
In Michigan’s 34-17 win over New Mexico on Saturday, Underwood etched his name into the record books with the most passing yards by a debuting freshman in program history. The performance had fans buzzing, but when the cameras turned on him after the game, Underwood wasn’t handing out gold stars.
Underwood’s Harsh Self-Assessment
When asked to grade his performance, the 18-year-old calmly gave himself a “C-plus.”
“There’s a lot of things I need to work on, and also us as a team as well,” Underwood said as quoted by MLive. “We’re going to go back to the drawing board and come back better next week.”
That honesty came as Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore sat next to him, almost shaking his head in disbelief.
“I thought he played really well,” Moore said. “He’s going to be very critical of himself when he watches film. He has a high standard for himself, and we have a high standard for us as an offense. But it’s not just him; it’s everyone on offense, together, pulling in one string.”
Poise Beyond His Years
Underwood showed off more than just arm strength in his first start, he showed composure. The prized recruit didn’t turn the ball over, a major point of emphasis after last season’s struggles at the position. Even his one near-mistake, a cross-body throw into a tight window, showcased both his confidence and accuracy.
“Whenever you have a quarterback that’s the quarterback at Michigan, you’re going to be critical of yourself,” Moore explained. “It’s our job to (allow) him to do that, but we’ve also got to bring him back, (urge him) to play to your capabilities, play to your strengths and us help him as a coaching staff, too.”
Living Out a Childhood Dream
For Underwood, the moment wasn’t just about stats, it was about finally living out a dream he’s had since he was a kid.
“That was a surreal feeling being in the Big House,” he said. “I’ve been coming to the games since I was 8-9 years old. It’s just a surreal feeling having the block ‘M’ on my chest and to score a touchdown.”
What’s Next
Now the Wolverines hit the road for a primetime showdown at Oklahoma. The stage only gets bigger, but if there’s one thing Underwood proved in Week 1, it’s that he’s not fazed.
Maybe “C-plus” was his grade. But for Michigan fans, the future under center looks like an A+.
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Don Drysdale
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