Michigan Benches Underwood, Turns to Freshman Carr

Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham benched quarterback Bryce Underwood at halftime against Penn State after Underwood completed 5 of 11 passes for 43 yards and two interceptions, including one on a one-handed defensive catch. Michigan had 80 first-half yards and trailed 3-0. True freshman Tommy Carr entered; his first drive ended in a punt. Bryson Kuzdzal then ran 43 yards for a touchdown. Carr led consecutive scoring drives to a 14-3 lead with 1:34 left in the third quarter. A 22-yard Carr run was originally ruled a touchdown then half a foot short on replay. Under pressure he hit tight end Hogan Hansen for a 22-yard catch-and-run and later scored a game-sealing touchdown on a third-and-9 speed option from the Penn State 12. Final: Michigan 21, Penn State 18. Whittingham told CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell at halftime the offense had absolutely nothing going and was not running the ball well. Underwood, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, had a reported NIL deal worth at least $10 million over four years (On3 up to $12.5 million), funded by Larry Ellison, after flipping from an LSU offer of about $1.5 million annually. A wire summary cited six interceptions in six starts; Yahoo/Front Office Sports reported 59% completion, six touchdowns, and six turnovers (four interceptions, two fumbles) entering the game. Carr, grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, son of Jason Carr, brother of Notre Dame QB CJ Carr, and grandson of Tom Curtis, had appeared mainly in a blowout over UTEP. Free Press wrote it expects Carr to start next against Indiana.