Wolverines answer critics with win over No. 11 Sooners
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ANN ARBOR -- Michigan earned a signature win in Week 2 of the Kyle Whittingham era.
And it was right on time.
The Wolverines showed their resilience in a 17-10 victory over No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon, a week after getting a lucky break in a controversial win against Western Michigan that the NCAA said it couldn’t overturn.
“What a great bounce back,” Whittingham said.
Bryce Underwood led the way.
He became the team’s primary ball carrier -- highlighted by a 38-yard touchdown run -- and didn’t lose a turnover after Whittingham said earlier in the week that the sophomore had to improve to keep his job when asked how firmly he was the team’s starting quarterback.
“I don’t agree that I opened that can of worms,” Whittingham said, adding he was simply answering a question. “Bryce is our quarterback.”
Underwood also is being used like a running back.
He carried the ball 18 times -- often by design -- for 87 yards to approach the total of 22 carries that three running backs had combined against the Sooners.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes for us to win,” Underwood said.
The Sooners knew what was coming from the 6-foot-4, 230-pound player but still couldn’t keep him contained on the ground.
“He’s exactly who we thought he was,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “Really talented guy. Big. He’s strong. He’s hard to get down.”
The Wolverines had 152 yards rushing after being held to 106 yards by the Broncos of the Mid-American Conference.
“We should be able to move the ball on Western Michigan and we didn’t,” offensive tackle Blake Frazier said.
Even though Michigan allowed the Broncos to score only one touchdown, its defense couldn’t get off the field on a 20-play drive that took nearly a quarter off the clock in the second half last week.
The Wolverines were much better on that side of the ball on Saturday, holding the Sooners scoreless in the first half, allowing just 100 yards rushing and holding them to 3 to 13 on third down.
Just like in the opener, however, penalties were a problem.
The Wolverines were flagged 11 times for 90 yards, including 15 yards when Jyaire Hill was called for unnecessary roughness when Oklahoma was backed up to its 2 in the third quarter.
Michigan running back Jordan Marshall, front right, scores a one-yard touchdown as Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke defends in the second half on Saturday in Ann Arbor. (AP photo)