Michigan Shocks No. 11 Oklahoma, Gets Huge Win After Disappointing Week 1
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A week after needing a last-second Hail Mary to escape Western Michigan, Michigan entered Saturday's matchup with No. 11 Oklahoma as a 4.5-point underdog.
The Wolverines didn't just survive this time. They beat the Sooners.
Michigan pulled off a 17-10 upset at home, giving head coach Kyle Whittingham and the Wolverines a much-need statement victory just one week after one of the most concerning performances imaginable .
The oddsmakers gave Michigan little credit coming in, with Oklahoma favored. Instead, Michigan's defense controlled the game for much of the afternoon and the offense did just enough to secure the win.
Bryce Underwood, after a week of intense scrutiny, wasn't spectacular through the air, completing just 9 of 17 passes for 111 yards, but he made some very important plays with his legs, including a 38-yard touchdown run. The sophomore carried the ball 18 times for 87 yards and that key score, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
More importanly, Michigan was able to establish the run just enough to keep Oklahoma at bay.
The Wolverines finished with 152 rushing yards on 41 attempts, with Jordan Marshall adding 32 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Michigan consistently leaned on its ground game to keep the Sooners' defense honest.
The passing game, however, remains a work in progress.
Michigan had only 111 yards through the air, and no receiver found the end zone. JJ Buchanan, once again, led the way with 48 yards on just two catches, while freshman running back Savion Hiter caught three passes for 41 yards.
On this day, Jay Hill's defense made the humble offensive numbers more than enough.
Oklahoma managed just 289 total yards, including 189 through the air and 100 on the ground. Quarterback John Mateer completed 17 of 33 passes for those 189 yards and a touchdown, but Michigan's defense consistently made life difficult for him.
The Wolverines recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers without committing one themselves.
That balance ultimately made the difference.
After giving up 10 points in the first half, Michigan pitched a shutout over the final two quarters. The Wolverines scored the only points of the fourth quarter, turning a 10-10 tie into a 17-10 win.
One week ago, Michigan needed a miracle against a MAC opponent. This week, it delivered one of the biggest wins of the young season over an SEC power.
There are still plenty of questions surrounding Underwood, Michigan's rushing attack and the team as a whole, but beating a ranked Oklahoma team provides something Michigan desperately needed after Week 1: proof that this team is capable of competing with anybody.
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