10
Loading video...
By Bryan Colbert Jr.
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Michigan reopened its quarterback competition after another disappointing offensive performance.
Tommy Carr is now expected to keep the starting job against Oregon, according to On3’s Pete Nakos, but Bryce Underwood is expected to get another opportunity, too.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Tuesday that both quarterbacks are expected to play at Oregon, with Carr getting the start. That would keep Underwood involved as Michigan searches for answers following a week of changes on its offensive staff.
Read More on NFL
Michigan fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck on Sunday and promoted offensive line coach Jim Harding to handle the role for the remainder of the season. Harding now faces the task of improving the offense while preparing two quarterbacks to contribute.
Coach Kyle Whittingham had left the position open Monday, a week after saying Carr would start for the “foreseeable future.” His latest reassessment followed a 15-6 loss to Michigan State in which Carr completed 14 of 26 passes for 138 yards and threw two interceptions.
Michigan fell to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten play.
The Wolverines finished with 192 total yards against the Spartans and converted two of their 10 third-down opportunities. Their only touchdown came with 1:35 remaining, when freshman running back Savion Hiter scored from a yard out.
Carr’s performance was a sharp departure from his previous outing.
Against Rutgers on Oct. 31, he completed 22 of 27 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He also rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns, helping Michigan escape with a 28-21 victory.
His 320 combined passing and rushing yards accounted for most of the Wolverines’ 427-yard afternoon.
That game offered a reason to believe Michigan had found some stability. The Michigan State loss put that progress back in question, bringing Bryce Underwood into the discussion again.
Underwood started Michigan’s first six games before Carr took over. He has completed 58.1% of his passes for 924 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
Unfortunately for the Wolverines, neither quarterback has provided a lasting solution for an offense that continues to struggle to sustain production.
...
Harding now inherits that problem with little time to make sweeping adjustments.
“You can't do major changes at this juncture, and so it will be collaborative,” Whittingham said Monday.
Michigan remains one victory short of bowl eligibility heading to Oregon. Carr is expected to get the first opportunity to move the Wolverines closer, and Underwood is expected to get his chance after that. The pressing question is whether either can give Michigan a reason to stop revisiting the position.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines