NORMAN, Okla. — There was a lot of confidence in the Michigan football program that Bryce Underwood, despite being a true freshman, wouldn’t look the part as he entered the Wolverines’ tough first test of the season: a road game at Oklahoma. However, with so much going against the maize and blue, Underwood wasn’t as advertised compared to his showing against New Mexico in Week 1.
Underwood had a paltry stat line of 9-for-24 for 142 yards. He didn’t have a touchdown, but he also didn’t throw any interceptions. He had negative-1 rushing yards thanks to a tackle for loss and one sack.
Even as the former five-star was outdueled, his competition basically said after the game, keep your head up, young man.
“He played a really good defense today,” Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer said. “That defense makes our practice really, really difficult, because I never know what’s going on, so I can’t imagine being a young quarterback trying to play that defense.
“He’s super talented. He was rolling out, making throws way better than I was as a freshman. That’s why he was rated the way he is. You can tell he’s a confident kid. He put up a good fight, and that’s not the end of his career, and he’s going to be a very, very good football player.”
It was tough sledding for the former Belleville star on Saturday. His offensive line was banged up, and it struggled to protect him and give him time to find receivers downfield. Underwood had numerous rushed throws, and his receiving corps did him few favors. What’s more, his top target in Week 1, tight end Marlin Klein, did not play against the Sooners on Saturday.
Underwood will have another chance to get back into form on Saturday afternoon when the Wolverines return home to face instate directional foe, Central Michigan.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Oklahoma QB John Mateer praises Bryce Underwood’s poise after Michigan’s loss in Norman
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
