09/12/26 04:27:00
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09/12 16:26 CDT Michigan shows its resilience in 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma
after getting lucky break in opener
Michigan shows its resilience in 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma after getting
lucky break in opener
By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) --- Michigan earned a signature win in Week 2 of the Kyle
Whittingham era.
And it was right on time.
The Wolverines showed their resilience in a 17-10 victory over No. 11 Oklahoma
on Saturday, a week after getting a lucky break in a controversial win against
Western Michigan that the NCAA said it couldn't overturn.
"What a great bounce back," Whittingham said.
Bryce Underwood led the way.
He became the team's primary ball carrier --- highlighted by a 38-yard
touchdown run --- and didn't lose a turnover after Whittingham said earlier in
the week that the sophomore had to improve to keep his job when asked how
firmly he was the team's starting quarterback.
"I don't agree that I opened that can of worms," Whittingham said, adding he
was simply answering a question. "Bryce is our quarterback."
Underwood also is being used like a running back.
He carried the ball 18 times --- often by design --- for 87 yards to approach
the total of 22 carries that three running backs had combined against the
Sooners.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes for us to win," Underwood said.
The Sooners knew what was coming from the 6-foot-4, 230-pound player but still
couldn't keep him contained on the ground.
"He's exactly who we thought he was," Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said.
"Really talented guy. Big. He's strong. He's hard to get down."
The Wolverines had 152 yards rushing after being held to 106 yards by the
Broncos of the Mid-American Conference.
"We should be able to move the ball on Western Michigan and we didn't,"
offensive tackle Blake Frazier said.
Even though Michigan allowed the Broncos to score only one touchdown, its
defense couldn't get off the field on a 20-play drive that took nearly a
quarter off the clock in the second half last week.
The Wolverines were much better on that side of the ball on Saturday, holding
the Sooners scoreless in the first half, allowing just 100 yards rushing and
holding them to 3 to 13 on third down.
Just like in the opener, however, penalties were a problem.
The Wolverines were flagged 11 times for 90 yards, including 15 yards when
Jyaire Hill was called for unnecessary roughness when Oklahoma was backed up to
its 2 in the third quarter.
"I messed up a little bit," Hill said.
He made up for it in a big way.
The senior cornerback stepped in front of John Mateer's pass at the Sooners 30
and returned it 24 yards to set up Jordan Marshall's go-ahead touchdown midway
through the fourth quarter.
"The whole team has a next-play mentality," Hill said.
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