ANN ARBOR, Mich. — No. 14 Michigan is 1-0 on the new year following a 34-17 win over New Mexico in the season opener on Saturday night.
In his highly anticipated debut, Bryce Underwood threw for 251 yards and a touchdown while completing 21-of-31 pass attempts. Meanwhile, Alabama transfer tailback Justice Haynes was also stellar in his debut, rushing for 159 yards on 16 carries with three touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, Michigan’s defense had several highs and lows throughout the night. The Wolverines had three interceptions on the night, but surrendered 267 yards of offense to the Lobos. Michigan’s back-seven allowed New Mexico QB Jack Layne to complete 60% of his throws for 208 yards. There will be plenty for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to clean up on that side of the ball.
Check out all of the highlights and updates from throughout tonight’s game:
LB Cole Sullivan records Michigan’s third interception vs. New Mexico: Wolverines 34, Lobos 17
Michigan linebacker Cole Sullivan made it a hat trick for the Wolverine defense, recording the third interception of the night for the Maize and Blue. The turnover ended a promising New Mexico drive at U-M’s 3-yard line.
Justice Haynes scores his third rushing TD: Michigan 34, New Mexico 17
With an air of uneasiness settling over Michigan Stadium, the Wolverines rejuvenated the home crowd when tailback Justice Haynes broke free for a 59-yard scamper, setting up a one-yard touchdown run one play later. It was Haynes’ third rushing touchdown of the game, as the Alabama transfer is up to 159 rushing yards in his Michigan debut.
Since 1970, Haynes’ 159 yards are the most by a player in his first game playing for the Wolverines, surpassing Chris Evans’ 112 yards against Hawaii in 2016.
Brandyn Hillman intercepts New Mexico QB Jack Layne on 4th down: Michigan 27, New Mexico 17
Michigan safety Brandyn Hillman intercepted New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne on a 4th-and-9 play to begin the fourth quarter. It was the second interception of the night for the Maize and Blue, though Hillman’s decision to catch the ball cost the Wolverines about 22 yards of field position.
End of 3Q: Michigan 27, New Mexico 17
The Wolverines have controlled the action for much of the evening, but the Lobos are hanging around here in Ann Arbor. Despite a 358-180 edge in total yards, Michigan leads by just 10 points entering the fourth quarter, and New Mexico has the ball at their own 38-yard line.
Bryce Underwood has completed 17-of-26 pass attempts for 223 yards and a touchdown. After a big, 56-yard touchdown run on Michigan’s opening possession, the Wolverines’ rushing attack has been bottled up a bit by the Lobos. Alabama transfer running back Justice Haynes has 97 yards on 12 carries, but just six yards in the second half.
New Mexico QB Jack Layne finds TE Dorian Thomas for a touchdown: Michigan 27, New Mexico 17
After a targeting penalty against Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham extended the drive, New Mexico marched 75 yards on 15 plays to score a touchdown, capped by quarterback Jack Layne’s pass to tight end Dorian Thomas from three yards out. The Wolverines’ lead is cut to 27-17 with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter.
LB Jaishawn Barham called for targeting, will be ineligible for first half of Michigan’s Week 2 game at Oklahoma
Michigan starting linebacker Jaishawn Barham sacked New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne midway through the third quarter, but was wcalled for a targeting penalty upon review of the play. The penalty wiped out a scoop-and-score touchdown for Barham as well, though replay showed Layne would have likely been ruled down by contact before the penalty.
Unfortunately for Barham and Michigan, this will mean the linebacker will have to sit out of the first half of the Wolverines’ high-profile Week 2 game at Oklahoma, unless Michigan is able to win an appeal of the targeting call this week.
Dominic Zvada connects on 39-yard FG: Michigan, 27, New Mexico 10
Michigan’s first possession of the second half goes for 73 yards on nine plays and results in a 39-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada. Bryce Underwood continued to showcase the abilities that made him the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 class, hitting wide receiver Kendrick Bell for a 30-yard strike to set up the score.
Halftime: Michigan 24, New Mexico 10
Michigan outgained New Mexico, 273-110, in the first half. The Wolverines have been balanced offensively, with 144 passing yards and 129 rushing yards through 30 minutes. Michigan is 6-of-9 on third down conversions, while New Mexico went 0-of-5 on third down.
Individual Halftime stats:
Bryce Underwood finds Marlin Klein for 15-yard TD: Michigan 24, New Mexico 10
In his first two-minute situation of his college career, quarterback Bryce Underwood led Michigan on a 8-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped with a 15-yard pass to tight end Marlin Klein to rebuild the Wolverines’ lead to 24-10. It was the first career touchdown pass for Underwood, and Klein’s first receiving touchdown.
The Wolverines’ head to the locker room with a two-touchdown halftime lead over the Lobos.
New Mexico field goal cuts into Michigan’s lead following a U-M fumble: Michigan 17, New Mexico 10
Following a fumble by Michigan freshman kick returner Andrew Marsh, New Mexico cut further into the Wolverines’ lead with a 44-yard field goal to make it 17-10 with just under two minutes left until halftime.
After scoring on its opening two possession of the season, the Wolverines’ offense has been since stymied by the Lobos, with their only points coming off an interception inside New Mexico’s 20-yard line.
Lobos’ score on trick-play touchdown: Michigan 17, New Mexico 7
After being stifled for much of the first half, New Mexico put together an impressive 12-play, 82-yard drive to score a touchdown and cut Michigan’s lead to 17-7. The drive was capped with a trick-play, with New Mexico snapping the ball between the legs of QB Jack Layne to running back D.J. McKinney, who threw to a wide-open receiver in tight end Dorian Thomas for six.
On the subsequent kickoff, freshman returner Andrew Marsh fumbled, giving the ball back to the Lobos in plus-territory.
TJ Guy picks off New Mexico QB Jack Layne; Wolverines add field goal: Michigan 17, New Mexico 0
After stalling on a pair of possessions, Michigan’s offense was set up with great field position after edge rusher TJ Guy came up with an athletic, one-handed interception off a deflected pass attempt from New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne.
Starting from the Lobos’ 17-yard line, the Wolverines picked up one first down before being stopped in a goal-to-go situation inside New Mexico’s 5-yard line. U-M kicker Dominic Zvada converted his first field goal attempt of the season from 21 yards to increase the Wolverines’ lead, 17-0.
End of 1Q: Michigan 14, New Mexico 0
Michigan leads 14-0 over New Mexico after a dominant first quarter in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines outgained the Lobos 176-15 in total yards, including 100-11 in rushing yards and 76-4 in passing yards.
Bryce Underwood went 7-for-9 passing in the opening frame, with one incompletion coming on a drop from wide receiver Fred Moore.
RB Justice Haynes scores on 5-yard run: Michigan 14, New Mexico 0
Michigan is 2-for-2 scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions of the 2025 season. Tailback Justice Haynes reached the endzone for the second time with 4:26 remaining in the first quarter, capping a 13-play, 73-yard drive to stretch the Wolverines lead to 14-0.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood is 5-for-6 passing for 55 yards yards so far, and threw a nasty block to help spring Haynes on the touchdown run. Michigan has outgained New Mexico, 151-3, in total yardage.
Wolverines strike first; RB Justice Haynes runs for a 56-yard TD: Michigan 7, New Mexico 0
So far, so good for Michigan’s new-look offense under first-year coordinator Chip Lindsey, as Alabama transfer running back Justice Haynes scores on a 56-yard rushing touchdown to give the Wolverines an early lead. QB Bryce Underwood goes 2-of-3 for 18 yards on his first possession leading the Maize and Blue.
Another Wolverines ruled “OUT” vs. New Mexico
According to the Detroit Free Press’ Tony Garcia, Michigan tight end Hogan Hansen has been ruled “Out” for this evening’s game against New Mexico. Hansen was not listed on the mandatory pregame availability report three hours before kickoff, but did not participate in warmups for the Wolverines as kickoff approached.
Bryce Underwood, Wolverines on the field for warmups
True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, the former five-star and No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, went through on-field warmups with a handful of his teammates ahead of his first career start as Michigan’s quarterback. Underwood’s debut has been highly anticipated ever since signing day, with the freshman beating out sophomore Jadyn Davis and transfers Mikey Keene and Jake Garcia for the starting role.
Injury Report
Michigan listed 11 players “out” for today’s game against New Mexico, most notably safety Rod Moore who continues to work his way back from an ACL injury that held him out of the 2024 season entirely. Defensive tackle Ike Iwunnah, who came on as rotational piece last season, is also out. Other notable players who will not play include offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, who is out for the season, and linebacker Jaydon Hood.
Listed as “questionable” for the Wolverines are defensive backs Jaden Mangham and Tevis Metcalf, tight end Jalen Hoffman and Fresno State transfer quarterback Mikey Keene.
What channel is Michigan vs. New Mexico on today?
Michigan vs New Mexico will be broadcast nationally on NBC in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season. Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge will call the game from the booth at Michigan Stadium, with Kathryn Tappen reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Peacock, NBC’s subscription streaming service, and FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Michigan vs. New Mexico time today
The Michigan vs New Mexico game starts at 7:36 p.m. EDT from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Michigan vs New Mexico predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, August 28
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Bryce Underwood, Michigan flash potential in 34-17 win over New Mexico: Highlights
Reporting by Matthew Lounsberry, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
