On August 30, Michigan opened its season with a 34–17 victory over New Mexico before a crowd of 110,648 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan scored 14 points in the first quarter on two rushing touchdowns by Justice Haynes, from 56 yards, and five yards, respectively. Michigan extended its lead in the second quarter on a 21-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada. New Mexico scored ten points in the quarter on a nine-yard touchdown pass from DJ McKinney to Dorian Thomas and a 44-yard field goal by Luke Drzewiecki. Michigan scored the final points of the half on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Marlin Klein. Michigan led, 24–10, at halftime. Michigan opened the scoring in the third quarter on a 39-yard field goal by Zvada. New Mexico responded with a three-yard touchdown pass from Jack Layne to Thomas. Michigan scored the only points of the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Haynes.[14]
This was the first ever meeting between the two programs. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood made the first start of his career. Underwood became the first freshman quarterback to start a season opener for Michigan since Tate Forcier in 2009. Underwood completed 21 of 31 passes, and set a Michigan record for a freshman quarterback in their debut with 251 yards, surpassing the previous record of 179 yards set by Forcier in 2009. Running back Justice Haynes recorded 16 carries for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Haynes' 159 yards set a new program high (since 1970) for running backs making their Michigan debut.[15]
On September 6, Michigan, ranked No. 15, lost to No. 18 Oklahoma, 24–13, before a crowd of 84,107 at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. On the opening possession of the game, Oklahoma drove 75 yards, including passes by John Mateer to Jaren Kanak for 31 yards, to Deion Burks for 21 yards, and for nine yards and a touchdown to Burks. At the end of the first quarter, Michigan's TJ Metcalf intercepted a Mateer pass, but Michigan was held to a three-and-out after the turnover. Halfway through the second quarter, Michigan drove 72 yards to the Oklahoma 14-yard line, from which point Dominic Zvada missed a 32-yard field goal attempt. After the missed field goal, Oklahoma drove 80 yards, scoring on a two-yard touchdown run by Mateer. Oklahoma led, 14–0, at halftime.[16][17][18]
On the first play from scrimmage after halftime, Justice Haynes broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run -- Michigan's longest offensive play since Donovan Edwards' 85-yard rushing touchdown against Ohio State in 2022.[19] After an exchange of punts, Oklahoma drove 51 yards on five plays, scoring on a ten-yard touchdown run by Mateer, extending their lead to 21–7. Midway in the third quarter, Oklahoma's Isaiah Sategna III fumbled a punt, and Cole Sullivan recovered the loose ball for Michigan at the Oklahoma 31-yard line. Michigan advanced the ball to the 24-yard line, settling for a 42-yard field goal by Zvada. Late in the third quarter, Michigan drove 60 yards, fueled by a 44-yard pass from Bryce Underwood to Donaven McCulley, but Michigan again settled for a 35-yard Zvada field goal, reducing Oklahoma's lead to 21–13. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Oklahoma drove 51 yards to the Michigan 24-yard line, but Tate Sandell's field goal attempt failed. After a Michigan punt, Oklahoma sealed its victory with 78-yard drive that consumed eight-and-a-half minutes, ending with a 21-yard Sandell field goal with 1:44 remaining in the game.[16][17][18]
In his first road game, Underwood completed nine of 24 passes (37.5%) for 142 yards. Excluding Haynes' 75-yard touchdown run, Michigan tallied only 71 rushing yards on 31 carries for an average of 2.3 yards per carry.[20] McCulley led Michigan's receivers with three catches for 91 yards. For Oklahoma, Mateer completed 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards; Mateer also led the Sooners in rushing with 19 carries for 74 yards. Burks had seven receptions for 101 yards for the Sooners.[21] Burks grew up in Inkster, Michigan, dreaming of playing for Michigan, but was never recruited by the Wolverines.[22]
On September 13, the Wolverines defeated Central Michigan 63–3, before a crowd of 110,740 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan scored 14 points in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown run by Justice Haynes and a 32-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Semaj Morgan. Michigan scored 21 points in the second quarter via a 20-yard touchdown run by Underwood, a 23-yard touchdown run by Andrew Marsh and a one-yard touchdown run by Jordan Marshall. Central Michigan finally got on the board via a 22-yard field goal by Cade Graham. Michigan led 35–3, at halftime. Michigan added 14 points in the third quarter via a four-yard touchdown run by Marshall and an 18-yard touchdown run by Underwood. Michigan extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run by Bryson Kuzdzal and a one-yard touchdown run by Jasper Parker. None of Central Michigan's first five drives netted more than ten yards or lasted more than six plays. The Wolverines' defense held the Chippewas to 80 total first-half yards, their fewest allowed since limiting UNLV to 60 yards in 2023.[23][24] Associate head coach Biff Poggi served as interim head coach during the game, as head coach Sherrone Moore was serving the first of a two-game self-imposed suspension for the University of Michigan football sign-stealing scandal.[25]
Quarterback Bryce Underwood completed 16 of 25 passes for 235 yards, and rushed for 114 yards on nine carries, accounting for 339 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. His 114 rushing yards were the most by a Michigan quarterback since Devin Gardner ran for 121 yards against Penn State in 2013. Michigan recorded 616 total yards of offense, their most in a game since recording 660 total yards against Maryland in 2016. Their 63 points was their highest total since scoring the same number against Northern Illinois in 2021.[26]
After the opening kickoff, Nebraska drove 70 yards to Michigan's five-yard line, but Michigan's defense held on fourth-and-two. After a three-and-out by the Michigan offense, Michigan's Hudson Hollenbeck punted for 24 yards, giving Nebraska possession at Michigan's 37-yard line; Kyle Cunanan missed a 44-yard field goal attempt for the Cornhuskers. On Michigan's second possession, the Wolverines drove 46 yards, ending in a 46-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada. With 1:23 remaining in the first quarter, Jyaire Hill tipped a Dylan Raiola pass which was intercepted by Cole Sullivan at Nebraska's 37-yard line. On the next play, Bryce Underwood ran 37 yards for a touchdown, and Michigan led, 10–0, at the end of the first quarter.[27][28]
Early in the second quarter, Underwood was stripped of the ball after an eight-yard run, and Nebraska's DeShon Singleton recovered the loose ball at the Nebraska 48-yard line. The Cornhuskers drove to the Michigan 21-yard line, and Cunanan kicked a 39-yard field goal. After a Michigan three-and-out, Nebraska drove 63 yards, ending with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Raiola to Jacory Barney Jr. to tie the game. On the next play from scrimmage, Justice Haynes ran 75 yards for a touchdown with 1:51 remaining in the half. In the final two minutes, Nebraska drove to midfield, and Railoa completed a 52-yard Hail Mary pass to Jacory Jr., tying the game as time expired in the half.[27][28]
On its second possession of the third quarter, Michigan drove 22 yards to Nebraska's 38-yard line, and Zvada kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal. After holding Nebraska to a three-and-out, Jordan Marshall led a two-play, 62-yard drive, with runs of eight and 54 yards, the latter for a touchdown.[27][28]
Late in the third quarter, Michigan's defense held on a third-and 14 play, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Brandyn Hillman for taunting the Nebraska bench gave the Cornhuskers a first down. Nebraska then drove to the Michigan 20-yard line, and Cunanan kicked a 38-yard field on the first play of the fourth quarter. After an exchange of punts, the Wolverines drained the clock with a 16-play, 8:46 drive culminating with a 21-yard field goal by Zvada. Nebraska regained possession with 3:54 remaining and trailing by 10 points. Raiola led a 75-yard touchdown drive, ending with a short touchdown pass to Heinrich Haarberg. Nebraska attempted an onside kick, recovered for Michigan by Kendrick Bell.[27][28]
Michigan tallied 290 rushing yards in the game: Haynes - 149 yards on 17 carries (8.8-yard average); Marshall - 80 yards on six carries (13.3 yards per carry); and Underwood 61 yards on eight carries (7.6 yards per carry).[29] Haynes became the first Michigan player to rush for over 100 yards in each of his first four games for the program.[30] Underwood also completed 12 of 22 passes for 105 yards. On defense, Michigan gave up 308 passing yards by Raiola, but registered seven sacks and held the Cornhuskers to only 31 rushing yards (1.4 yards per carry).[29]
(2:43) WIS – Nathanial Vakos 39-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 53 yards, 6:41; Michigan 24–10)
On October 4, Michigan defeated Wisconsin, 24–10, before a crowd of 111,070 at Michigan Stadium. After the opening kickoff, Wisconsin drove 75 yards on 12 plays, including a 17-yard pass from Hunter Simmons to Vinny Anthony II and a five-yard touchdown run up the middle by Dilin Jones. On the next drive, Michigan also drove 75 yards, featuring a 43-yard run by Justice Haynes and a one-yard touchdown run by Haynes to tie the game. After opening the game with two scoring drives, the teams traded punts on the next five possessions. Late in the second quarter, Michigan drove 44 yards, including a 32-yard pass from Bryce Underwood to Andrew Marsh and ending with a 40-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada. Michigan led, 10–7, at halftime.[31][32][33]
On the opening drive of the second half, Michigan drove 66 yards, including a 26-yard pass from Underwood to Marsh, but Zvada missed a 27-yard field goal at the end of the drive. Later in the third quarter, the Wolverines drove 67 yards, including pass completions of 33 and 29 yards from Underwood to Donaven McCulley, the latter good for a touchdown. On the drive following the touchdown, Rod Moore intercepted a Hunter Simmons pass at Michigan's 17-yard line. The Wolverines then drove 52 yards to the Wisconsin 28-yard line where the Badgers' defense stopped the Wolverines on fourth down. On its next possesion, Michigan drove 61 yards, including a 25-yard pass from Underwood to McCulley and concluding with a one-yard touchdown run by Haynes with 9:24 remaining in the game. The Badgers responded with a 53-yard, 13-play drive that consumed 6:41, but they were forced to settle for a 39-yard field goal by Nathanial Vakos.[31][32][33]
On offense, Underwood completed 19 of 28 passes for a season-high 270 yards, and McCulley had six receptions for 112 yards – the first 100-yard game by a Michigan receiver since the 2023 season. Wisconsin came into the game ranked first nationally in run defense, having allowed only 50 rushing yards per game. The Wolverines tallied 175 rushing yards, led by Haynes with 117 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Haynes became the first Michigan player to tally over 100 yards in his first five games with the team.[34]
On defense, Michigan held Wisconsin to 75 rushing yards, including just seven yards in the second half. In the nine drives following Wisconsin's touchdown, the Wolverines held the Badgers to eight punts and an interception. Hunter Simmons tallied 177 passing yards, and Vinny Anthony II had nine receptions for 97 yards.[34][35]
(9:17) MICH - Andrew Marsh 69-yard pass from Bryce Underwood (pass failed) (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:44; USC 24-13)
(4:21) USC - Bryan Jackson 29-yard run (Ryon Sayeri kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:56; USC 31-13)
On October 11, Michigan lost to USC, 31–13, before a crowd of 75,500 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, in Michigan's first visit to the Coliseum since 1957. This marked the Wolverine's first Big Ten Conference loss of the season. USC opened the scoring in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Maiava to Ja'Kobi Lane. Michigan finally got on the board in the second quarter via an eight-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Donaven McCulley to tie the game. USC responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Maiava to Makai Lemon with 14 seconds remaining in the half. USC led, 14–7, at halftime. USC extended their lead in the third quarter via a 15-yard touchdown run by King Miller. USC intercepted Underwood in the final minute of the third quarter to close a 10-play, 67-yard drive. The Trojans took advantage of the turnover and extending their lead with a 54-yard field goal by Ryon Sayeri. Michigan responded with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Underwood to Andrew Marsh, and a failed two-point conversion. USC scored the final points of the game via a 29-yard touchdown run by Bryan Jackson.[36][37]
Wide receiver Andrew Marsh's 69-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was Michigan's longest pass play this season and the team's longest since a 75-yard touchdown from J. J. McCarthy to Cornelius Johnson against Ohio State in 2022.[38]
On October 18, Michigan defeated Washington, 24–7, before a crowd of 110,701 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 22-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Andrew Marsh. Washington scored the only points of the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run by Jonah Coleman with 40 seconds remaining in the half to tie the game. Michigan regained the lead in the third quarter via a 14-yard touchdown run by Jordan Marshall. Michigan scored ten points in the fourth quarter via a ten-yard touchdown pass from Underwood to Zack Marshall and a 26-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada. Michigan scored 17 points off three Washington turnovers. Michigan's defense forced four punts, holding the Huskies to 54 yards in the second half. Entering the game, the Huskies were averaging 39.2 points per game, the fourth best in the Big Ten.[39][40]
On October 25, Michigan faced their in-state rivals, the Michigan State Spartans, in the annual battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Michigan defeated Michigan State 31–20, before a crowd of 75,085 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. On the game's first drive, Brandyn Hillman forced a fumble which was recovered by Jimmy Rolder at the Michigan State 34-yard line. This resulted in a 21-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada. Michigan extended their lead via a 13-yard touchdown run by Bryce Underwood. Michigan State scored the only points of the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run by Aidan Chiles, making the score 10-7 in favor of Michigan at halftime. Michigan scored 14 points in the third quarter via two rushing touchdowns by Justice Haynes, from five-yards, and 14-yards, respectively. Michigan State opened the scoring in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run by Brandon Tullis, and a failed two-point conversion. Michigan responded with a 56-yard touchdown run by Jordan Marshall. Michigan State scored the final points of the game via a 21-yard touchdown pass from Alessio Milivojevic to Michael Masunas with seven seconds remaining in the game. Defensively Michigan held Michigan State to five conversions on 16 third-down attempts.[41][42]
Michigan tallied 276 rushing yards in the game, led by Justice Haynes with 152 yards and two touchdowns and Jordan Marshall with 110 yards and one touchdown. This marked the first time in the rivalry series against Michign State that Michigan had two running backs rush for over 100 yards since 1994.[43]
(10:03) MICH - Jordan Marshall 9-yard run (Dominic Zvada kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:51; MICH 21-10)
(6:00) PUR - Malachi Thomas 5-yard pass from Ryan Browne (pass failed) (Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:56; Michigan 21-16)
On November 1, Michigan defeated Purdue, 21–16, before a crowd of 110,517 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 54-yard touchdown run by Jordan Marshall. Purdue finally got on the board in the second quarter via a two-yard touchdown run by Antonio Harris to tie the game. Michigan responded with a three-yard touchdown run by Marshall with 17 seconds remaining in the half, which made the score 14-7 in favor of Michigan at halftime. Purdue scored the only points of the third quarter via a 50-yard field goal by Spencer Porath. Michigan extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a nine-yard touchdown run by Marshall. Purdue responded with a five-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Browne to Malachi Thomas, and a failed two-point conversion attempt.[44][45]
Running back Jordan Marshall rushed for a career-high 185 yards on 25 carries, and recorded three touchdowns. His 185 yards are the most by a Wolverine player since Donovan Edwards rushed for 216 yards against Ohio State in 2022.[46]
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