Wolverines start shaky before turning back UTEP
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ANN ARBOR -- No. 19 Michigan sputtered early against Texas-El Paso, trailing twice after giving up two touchdowns off turnovers.
For nearly a half, it looked like college football’s winningest program might be in trouble again against a Group of Six program in coach Kyle Whittingham’s first month as charge.
The Wolverines flipped the script.
Bryce Underwood threw two touchdown passes and Savion Hiter had two rushing scores to help Michigan pull away and beat UTEP 52-17 on Saturday.
The Wolverines (3-0) scored 38 straight points to turn a potential scare into a rout, just two weeks after their controversial win over Western Michigan.
“We went into halftime -- kind of like the same thing that we were thinking against Western Michigan -- that we weren’t giving it our all,” Hiter said. “So, we went out in the second half and finished the job.”
The Miners (1-2) recovered two fumbles in the first half and took advantage with two touchdown passes by E.J. Colston: 45 yards to Carver Cheeks and 18 yards to Lamar Sperling.
Underwood’s 21-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan and Trey Butkowski’s 49-yard field goal over the last 1:31 of the first half put Michigan ahead for the first time.
The sophomore quarterback threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Marsh and Jonah Lea’ea returned an interception for a score over the last 1:18 of the third quarter, giving the Wolverines a 45-14 lead.
Underwood was 19 of 25 for 223 yards with two touchdowns and a lost fumble. Marsh had 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Carr family legacy
Tommy Carr made his Michigan debut and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Salesi Moa. His grandfathers are former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and Tom Curtis, an All-America defensive back for the Wolverines, and his brother is Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.
Lloyd Carr played quarterback during an undefeated season for Northern Michigan University in the 1960s.
Injury report
Michigan’s starting running back, Jordan Marshall, ran for 59 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game in the third quarter after his right leg got tangled up as he was tackled.
Whittingham said Marshall aggravated a nagging injury.
“We hope to have him ready to roll next week,” Whittingham said.
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Michigan defensive tackle Deyvid Palepale, left, and defensive end Carter Meadows, right, attempt to block a field goal attempted by UTEP kicker Carlos Arreola, bottom left, during the second half on Saturday in Ann Arbor. (AP photo)