Michigan has benched starting quarterback Bryce Underwood at halftime of their home game against Penn State, replacing him with true freshman Tommy Carr, grandson of former Wolverines head coach Lloyd Carr. The decision by head coach Kyle Whittingham came after Michigan’s offence struggled significantly in the first half, trailing 3-0.
Underwood’s Struggles Lead to Mid-Game Change
In the first half against Penn State, Underwood completed just 5 of 11 passes for 43 yards and threw two interceptions, according to Bleacher Report. Michigan’s five drives resulted in three punts and two picks, accumulating only 80 total yards.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham, in his first season at Michigan after two decades with Utah, expressed frustration at halftime. Speaking to CBS Sports’ Jenny Dell, Whittingham stated, “First of all we’ve gotta get something going on offense, we’ve got absolutely nothin’ going, not runnin’ the ball well… But, two turnovers, I don’t have an answer for ya right now, we’ve gotta talk about it at halftime (and) we’ve gotta get somethin’ goin’,” as reported by Yahoo Sports.
The Wolverines’ offence had been struggling before this game, ranking 102nd out of 138 Division I-FBS teams in points per game (23.0) entering Saturday. Underwood’s season statistics prior to the Penn State match included 59.3% completion for 881 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Tommy Carr Steps In, Family Legacy on the Field
True freshman Tommy Carr, a four-star prospect from Saline, Michigan, took over at quarterback. His appearance sparked a change for the Wolverines, who scored two third-quarter touchdowns largely thanks to their running attack. Bryson Kuzdzal scored a 43-yard touchdown, and Jordan Marshall added a one-yard score.
Carr also contributed directly, completing a 22-yard pass to tight end Hogan Hansen and later making a 22-yard run that was called just short of the goal line. He subsequently added a 12-yard touchdown run, increasing Michigan’s lead to 21-11 after the extra point. His grandfather, Lloyd Carr, was present to witness the play.
Tommy Carr’s connection to Michigan football runs deep; both his grandfathers have significant ties to the programme. Lloyd Carr is one of the most successful Michigan head coaches, leading the Wolverines to an undefeated 12-0 season and a Rose Bowl title in 1997, finishing as the top-ranked team in the AP Top 25. His other grandfather, Tom Curtis, was an All-American safety for the Wolverines, holding the Michigan record for most interceptions with 25 during his career, and also won Super Bowl 5 with the Baltimore Colts, according to The Big Lead.
The 19-year-old quarterback originally committed to Miami (OH) RedHawks before flipping his decision to Michigan in November 2025. He entered the Big Ten school as a four-star recruit. His older brother, CJ Carr, is also a highly-rated signal caller currently playing for Notre Dame, which holds a 6-0 record.
Readers interested in the broader context of American college football can find more information in our College Football: The Ultimate Guide to Tradition, Rivalries, and Championships.