The team's statistical leaders included quarterbackBryce Underwood (2,428 passing yards and 17 total touchdowns), running backJordan Marshall (932 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns), wide receiverAndrew Marsh (651 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns), linebackerJimmy Rolder (73 total tackles), and defensive endDerrick Moore (10 sacks).[1] In the final week, Michigan lost toOhio State for the first time since 2019. The game had 18.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched 2025 regular season matchup.[2]
On December 10, the university announced that Sherrone Moore had been fired for cause, disclosing that he had an "inappropriate relationship with a staff member."[3] Associate head coachBiff Poggi was named the Wolverines' interim head coach for theCitrus Bowl against theTexas Longhorns, which Michigan lost, 41–27.[4] On December 26, formerUtah Utes head coachKyle Whittingham was hired as Michigan's new head coach for the 2026 season.[5]
On August 30, Michigan opened its season with a 34–17 victory overNew Mexico before a crowd of 110,648 atMichigan Stadium. Michigan scored 14 points in the first quarter on two rushing touchdowns byJustice Haynes, from 56 yards, and five yards, respectively. Michigan extended its lead in the second quarter on a 21-yard field goal byDominic Zvada. New Mexico scored ten points in the quarter on a nine-yard touchdown pass from DJ McKinney to Dorian Thomas and a 44-yard field goal by Luke Drzewiecki. Michigan scored the final points of the half on a 15-yard touchdown pass fromBryce Underwood toMarlin Klein. Michigan led, 24–10, at halftime. Michigan opened the scoring in the third quarter on a 39-yard field goal by Zvada. New Mexico responded with a three-yard touchdown pass from Jack Layne to Thomas. Michigan scored the only points of the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Haynes.[22]
This was the first ever meeting between the two programs. Freshman quarterbackBryce Underwood made the first start of his career. Underwood became the first freshman quarterback to start a season opener for Michigan sinceTate Forcier in2009. Underwood completed 21 of 31 passes, and set a Michigan record for a freshman quarterback in their debut with 251 yards, surpassing the previous record of 179 yards set by Forcier in 2009. Running backJustice Haynes recorded 16 carries for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Haynes' 159 yards set a new program high (since 1970) for running backs making their Michigan debut.[23]
On September 6, Michigan, ranked No. 15, lost to No. 18Oklahoma, 24–13, before a crowd of 84,107 atMemorial Stadium inNorman, Oklahoma. On the opening possession of the game, Oklahoma drove 75 yards, including passes byJohn Mateer toJaren Kanak for 31 yards, toDeion Burks for 21 yards, and for nine yards and a touchdown to Burks. At the end of the first quarter, Michigan'sTJ Metcalf intercepted a Mateer pass, but Michigan was held to a three-and-out after the turnover. Halfway through the second quarter, Michigan drove 72 yards to the Oklahoma 14-yard line, from which pointDominic Zvada missed a 32-yard field goal attempt. After the missed field goal, Oklahoma drove 80 yards, scoring on a two-yard touchdown run by Mateer. Oklahoma led, 14–0, at halftime.[24][25][26]
On the first play from scrimmage after halftime,Justice Haynes broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run -- Michigan's longest offensive play sinceDonovan Edwards' 85-yard rushing touchdown againstOhio State in2022.[27] After an exchange of punts, Oklahoma drove 51 yards on five plays, scoring on a ten-yard touchdown run by Mateer, extending their lead to 21–7. Midway in the third quarter, Oklahoma'sIsaiah Sategna III fumbled a punt, andCole Sullivan recovered the loose ball for Michigan at the Oklahoma 31-yard line. Michigan advanced the ball to the 24-yard line, settling for a 42-yard field goal by Zvada. Late in the third quarter, Michigan drove 60 yards, fueled by a 44-yard pass fromBryce Underwood toDonaven McCulley, but Michigan again settled for a 35-yard Zvada field goal, reducing Oklahoma's lead to 21–13. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Oklahoma drove 51 yards to the Michigan 24-yard line, butTate Sandell's field goal attempt failed. After a Michigan punt, Oklahoma sealed its victory with 78-yard drive that consumed eight-and-a-half minutes, ending with a 21-yard Sandell field goal with 1:44 remaining in the game.[24][25][26]
In his first road game, Underwood completed nine of 24 passes (37.5%) for 142 yards. Excluding Haynes' 75-yard touchdown run, Michigan tallied only 71 rushing yards on 31 carries for an average of 2.3 yards per carry.[28] McCulley led Michigan's receivers with three catches for 91 yards. For Oklahoma, Mateer completed 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards; Mateer also led the Sooners in rushing with 19 carries for 74 yards. Burks had seven receptions for 101 yards for the Sooners.[29] Burks grew up inInkster, Michigan, dreaming of playing for Michigan, but was never recruited by the Wolverines.[30]
On September 13, the Wolverines defeatedCentral Michigan 63–3, before a crowd of 110,740 atMichigan Stadium. Michigan scored 14 points in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown run byJustice Haynes and a 32-yard touchdown pass fromBryce Underwood toSemaj Morgan. Michigan scored 21 points in the second quarter via a 20-yard touchdown run by Underwood, a 23-yard touchdown run byAndrew Marsh and a one-yard touchdown run byJordan Marshall. Central Michigan finally got on the board via a 22-yard field goal by Cade Graham. Michigan led 35–3, at halftime. Michigan added 14 points in the third quarter via a four-yard touchdown run by Marshall and an 18-yard touchdown run by Underwood. Michigan extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run byBryson Kuzdzal and a one-yard touchdown run by Jasper Parker. None of Central Michigan's first five drives netted more than ten yards or lasted more than six plays. The Wolverines' defense held the Chippewas to 80 total first-half yards, their fewest allowed since limitingUNLV to 60 yards in2023.[31][32] Associate head coachBiff Poggi served as interim head coach during the game, as head coachSherrone Moore was serving the first of a two-game self-imposed suspension for theUniversity of Michigan football sign-stealing scandal.[33]
QuarterbackBryce Underwood completed 16 of 25 passes for 235 yards, and rushed for 114 yards on nine carries, accounting for 339 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. His 114 rushing yards were the most by a Michigan quarterback sinceDevin Gardner ran for 121 yards againstPenn State in2013. Michigan recorded 616 total yards of offense, their most in a game since recording 660 total yards againstMaryland in2016. Their 63 points was their highest total since scoring the same number againstNorthern Illinois in2021.[34]
After the opening kickoff, Nebraska drove 70 yards to Michigan's five-yard line, but Michigan's defense held on fourth-and-two. After a three-and-out by the Michigan offense, Michigan's Hudson Hollenbeck punted for 24 yards, giving Nebraska possession at Michigan's 37-yard line; Kyle Cunanan missed a 44-yard field goal attempt for the Cornhuskers. On Michigan's second possession, the Wolverines drove 46 yards, ending in a 46-yard field goal byDominic Zvada. With 1:23 remaining in the first quarter,Jyaire Hill tipped aDylan Raiola pass which was intercepted by Cole Sullivan at Nebraska's 37-yard line. On the next play,Bryce Underwood ran 37 yards for a touchdown, and Michigan led, 10–0, at the end of the first quarter.[35][36]
Early in the second quarter, Underwood was stripped of the ball after an eight-yard run, and Nebraska'sDeShon Singleton recovered the loose ball at the Nebraska 48-yard line. The Cornhuskers drove to the Michigan 21-yard line, and Cunanan kicked a 39-yard field goal. After a Michigan three-and-out, Nebraska drove 63 yards, ending with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Raiola toJacory Barney Jr. to tie the game. On the next play from scrimmage,Justice Haynes ran 75 yards for a touchdown with 1:51 remaining in the half. In the final two minutes, Nebraska drove to midfield, and Railoa completed a 52-yardHail Mary pass to Jacory Jr., tying the game as time expired in the half.[35][36]
On its second possession of the third quarter, Michigan drove 22 yards to Nebraska's 38-yard line, and Zvada kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal. After holding Nebraska to a three-and-out,Jordan Marshall led a two-play, 62-yard drive, with runs of eight and 54 yards, the latter for a touchdown.[35][36]
Late in the third quarter, Michigan's defense held on a third-and 14 play, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Brandyn Hillman for taunting the Nebraska bench gave the Cornhuskers a first down. Nebraska then drove to the Michigan 20-yard line, and Cunanan kicked a 38-yard field on the first play of the fourth quarter. After an exchange of punts, the Wolverines drained the clock with a 16-play, 8:46 drive culminating with a 21-yard field goal by Zvada. Nebraska regained possession with 3:54 remaining and trailing by 10 points. Raiola led a 75-yard touchdown drive, ending with a short touchdown pass toHeinrich Haarberg. Nebraska attempted an onside kick, recovered for Michigan by Kendrick Bell.[35][36]
Michigan tallied 290 rushing yards in the game: Haynes - 149 yards on 17 carries (8.8-yard average); Marshall - 80 yards on six carries (13.3 yards per carry); and Underwood 61 yards on eight carries (7.6 yards per carry).[37] Haynes became the first Michigan player to rush for over 100 yards in each of his first four games for the program.[38] Underwood also completed 12 of 22 passes for 105 yards. On defense, Michigan gave up 308 passing yards by Raiola, but registered seven sacks and held the Cornhuskers to only 31 rushing yards (1.4 yards per carry).[37]
(2:43) WIS – Nathanial Vakos 39-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 53 yards, 6:41;Michigan 24–10)
On October 4, Michigan defeatedWisconsin, 24–10, before a crowd of 111,070 atMichigan Stadium. After the opening kickoff, Wisconsin drove 75 yards on 12 plays, including a 17-yard pass from Hunter Simmons to Vinny Anthony II and a five-yard touchdown run up the middle byDilin Jones. On the next drive, Michigan also drove 75 yards, featuring a 43-yard run byJustice Haynes and a one-yard touchdown run by Haynes to tie the game. After opening the game with two scoring drives, the teams traded punts on the next five possessions. Late in the second quarter, Michigan drove 44 yards, including a 32-yard pass fromBryce Underwood toAndrew Marsh and ending with a 40-yard field goal byDominic Zvada. Michigan led, 10–7, at halftime.[39][40][41]
On the opening drive of the second half, Michigan drove 66 yards, including a 26-yard pass from Underwood to Marsh, but Zvada missed a 27-yard field goal at the end of the drive. Later in the third quarter, the Wolverines drove 67 yards, including pass completions of 33 and 29 yards from Underwood toDonaven McCulley, the latter good for a touchdown. On the drive following the touchdown,Rod Moore intercepted a Hunter Simmons pass at Michigan's 17-yard line. The Wolverines then drove 52 yards to the Wisconsin 28-yard line where the Badgers' defense stopped the Wolverines on fourth down. On its next possession, Michigan drove 61 yards, including a 25-yard pass from Underwood to McCulley and concluding with a one-yard touchdown run by Haynes with 9:24 remaining in the game. The Badgers responded with a 53-yard, 13-play drive that consumed 6:41, but they were forced to settle for a 39-yard field goal by Nathanial Vakos.[39][40][41]
On offense, Underwood completed 19 of 28 passes for a season-high 270 yards, and McCulley had six receptions for 112 yards – the first 100-yard game by a Michigan receiver since the 2023 season. Wisconsin came into the game ranked first nationally in run defense, having allowed only 50 rushing yards per game. The Wolverines tallied 175 rushing yards, led by Haynes with 117 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Haynes became the first Michigan player to tally over 100 yards in his first five games with the team.[42]
On defense, Michigan held Wisconsin to 75 rushing yards, including just seven yards in the second half. In the nine drives following Wisconsin's touchdown, the Wolverines held the Badgers to eight punts and an interception. Hunter Simmons tallied 177 passing yards, and Vinny Anthony II had nine receptions for 97 yards.[42][43]
(4:21) USC – Bryan Jackson 29-yard run (Ryon Sayeri kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:56; USC 31–13)
On October 11, Michigan lost toUSC, 31–13, before a crowd of 75,500 atLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum inLos Angeles, California, in Michigan's first visit to the Coliseum since1957. This marked the Wolverine's first Big Ten Conference loss of the season. USC opened the scoring in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown pass fromJayden Maiava toJa'Kobi Lane. Michigan finally got on the board in the second quarter via an eight-yard touchdown pass fromBryce Underwood toDonaven McCulley to tie the game. USC responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Maiava toMakai Lemon with 14 seconds remaining in the half. USC led, 14–7, at halftime. USC extended their lead in the third quarter via a 15-yard touchdown run by King Miller. USC intercepted Underwood in the final minute of the third quarter to close a 10-play, 67-yard drive. The Trojans took advantage of the turnover and extending their lead with a 54-yard field goal by Ryon Sayeri. Michigan responded with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Underwood toAndrew Marsh, and a failed two-point conversion. USC scored the final points of the game via a 29-yard touchdown run by Bryan Jackson.[44][45]
On October 18, Michigan defeatedWashington, 24–7, before a crowd of 110,701 atMichigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 22-yard touchdown pass fromBryce Underwood toAndrew Marsh. Washington scored the only points of the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run byJonah Coleman with 40 seconds remaining in the half to tie the game. Michigan regained the lead in the third quarter via a 14-yard touchdown run byJordan Marshall. Michigan scored ten points in the fourth quarter via a ten-yard touchdown pass from Underwood to Zack Marshall and a 26-yard field goal byDominic Zvada. Michigan scored 17 points off three Washington turnovers. Michigan's defense forced four punts, holding the Huskies to 54 yards in the second half. Entering the game, the Huskies were averaging 39.2 points per game, the fourth best in the Big Ten.[47][48]
On October 25, Michigan faced their in-state rivals, theMichigan State Spartans, in the annual battle for thePaul Bunyan Trophy. Michigan defeated Michigan State 31–20, before a crowd of 75,085 atSpartan Stadium inEast Lansing, Michigan. On the game's first drive, Brandyn Hillman forced a fumble which was recovered byJimmy Rolder at the Michigan State 34-yard line. This resulted in a 21-yard field goal byDominic Zvada. Michigan extended their lead via a 13-yard touchdown run byBryce Underwood. Michigan State scored the only points of the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run byAidan Chiles, making the score 10-7 in favor of Michigan at halftime. Michigan scored 14 points in the third quarter via two rushing touchdowns byJustice Haynes, from five-yards, and 14-yards, respectively. Michigan State opened the scoring in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run by Brandon Tullis, and a failed two-point conversion. Michigan responded with a 56-yard touchdown run byJordan Marshall. Michigan State scored the final points of the game via a 21-yard touchdown pass fromAlessio Milivojevic to Michael Masunas with seven seconds remaining in the game. Defensively Michigan held Michigan State to five conversions on 16 third-down attempts.[49][50]
Michigan tallied 276 rushing yards in the game, led byJustice Haynes with 152 yards and two touchdowns andJordan Marshall with 110 yards and one touchdown. This marked the first time in the rivalry series against Michign State that Michigan had tworunning backs rush for over 100 yards since1994.[51]
On November 1, Michigan defeatedPurdue, 21–16, before a crowd of 110,517 atMichigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 54-yard touchdown run byJordan Marshall. Purdue finally got on the board in the second quarter via a two-yard touchdown run by Antonio Harris to tie the game. Michigan responded with a three-yard touchdown run by Marshall with 17 seconds remaining in the half, which made the score 14-7 in favor of Michigan at halftime. Purdue scored the only points of the third quarter via a 50-yard field goal by Spencer Porath. Michigan extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a nine-yard touchdown run by Marshall. Purdue responded with a five-yard touchdown pass fromRyan Browne to Malachi Thomas, and a failed two-point conversion attempt.[52][53]
Running backJordan Marshall rushed for a career-high 185 yards on 25 carries, and recorded three touchdowns. His 185 yards are the most by a Wolverine player sinceDonovan Edwards rushed for 216 yards againstOhio State in2022.[54]
On November 15, Michigan defeatedNorthwestern, 24–22, atWrigley Field in Chicago. After a scoreless first quarter, Michigan opened the scoring in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run byJordan Marshall. Northwestern responded with two field goals by Jack Olsen from 34-yards. and 26-yards, respectively. Michigan led, 7–6, at halftime. Michigan scored 14 points in the third quarter via a nine-yard touchdown run byBryce Underwood and a one-yard touchdown run by Marshall. Northwestern responded with a 35-yard field goal by Olsen. The Wolverines held the Wildcats to three touchdowns in the first three quarters, but gave up two touchdowns within a one-minute span in the fourth quarter. Northwestern scored 13 points in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run byPreston Stone and a six-yard touchdown run by Caleb Komolafe to take their first lead of the game. Despite turning the ball over five times and missing two field goals,Dominic Zvada kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired to win the game.[55] Michigan's defense held Northwestern to 61 rushing yards and 2.3 yards per carry, both season lows for the Wildcats. They also held Northwestern to two of 12 on third down conversions.[56]
QuarterbackBryce Underwood completed 21 of 32 passes for a career-high 280 yards, but also threw two interceptions and was responsible for a fumble on a botched handoff in the fourth quarter. Running backJordan Marshall tallied 142 yards on 19 carries before leaving the game with a shoulder injury. Freshman wide receiverAndrew Marsh caught 12 passes for 189 yards, both single-game Michigan freshmen records. Marsh eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the second time this season, and became the first Michigan freshman wide receiver to record multiple 100-yard performances sinceRoy Roundtree in2009. His 189 yards is tied for the sixth-most receiving yards in a game in program history and the most sinceJehu Chesson recorded 207 yards in2015.[57]
On November 22, Michigan defeatedMaryland, 45–20, before a crowd of 46,185 atSECU Stadium inCollege Park, Maryland. Maryland opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass fromMalik Washington to Dorian Fleming. Michigan responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass fromBryce Underwood toAndrew Marsh to tie the game. Michigan scored 14 points in the second quarter via a two-yard touchdown run byBryson Kuzdzal and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Underwood toDonaven McCulley. Maryland scored the final points of the half via a 34-yard field goal by Sean O'Haire. Michigan led, 21–10, at halftime. Michigan scored 14 points in the third quarter via two touchdown runs by Kuzdzal, from 19-yards, and one-yard, respectively. Maryland responded with a 29-yard field goal by O'Haire. Michigan scored ten points in the fourth quarter via a six-yard touchdown run by Jasper Parker and a 46-yard field goal byDominic Zvada. Maryland scored the final points of the game via a touchdown pass from Khristian Martin to Jalil Farooq. Michigan's defense held Maryland to 71 rushing yards and five-of-14 on third-down conversion opportunities.[58][59] FullbackMax Bredeson left the game in the third quarter with an injury.[60]
Quarterback Bryce Underwood completed 16 of 23 passes for a 215 yards and two touchdowns, his seventh 200-plus yard passing game this season, tyingChad Henne for the most by a first-year starting quarterback at Michigan. Underwood passedTate Forcier (2,050 yards in 2009) for the second-most yards by a first-year starting quarterback (2,166). Running backBryson Kuzdzal made his first career start, replacing the injuredJordan Marshall, and tallied 100 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. He became the third Wolverine running back this season to record a three-touchdown game, joiningJustice Haynes and Marshall. He also became the fourth different Wolverine to reach 100 rushing yards this season. The last time Michigan had four different players each record at least one 100-plus yard rushing game was in1998.[61]
(4:33) OSU –Jayden Fielding 24-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 5:09; MICH 6–3)
Second quarter
(11:44) OSU –Jeremiah Smith 35-yard pass fromJulian Sayin (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:49; OSU 10–6)
(5:24) MICH – Dominic Zvada 49-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 6:17; OSU 10–9)
(0:16) OSU –Brandon Inniss 4-yard pass from Julian Sayin (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 87 yards, 5:08; OSU 17–9)
Third quarter
(7:35) OSU –Carnell Tate 50-yard pass from Julian Sayin (Jayden Fielding kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 57 yards, 0:45; OSU 24–9)
Fourth quarter
(8:10) OSU – Jayden Fielding 23-yard field goal (Drive: 20 plays, 81 yards, 11:56; OSU 27–9)
On November 29, Michigan lost toOhio State, 9–27, before a crowd of 111,373 atMichigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 45-yard field goal byDominic Zvada. Michigan extended their lead via a 25-yard field goal by Zvada. Ohio State responded with a 24-yard field goal byJayden Fielding. Ohio State extended their lead in the second quarter via a 35-yard touchdown pass fromJulian Sayin toJeremiah Smith. Michigan responded with a 49-yard field goal by Zvada. Ohio State scored the final points of the half via a four-yard touchdown pass from Sayin toBrandon Inniss. Ohio State led, 17–9, at halftime. Ohio State held Michigan scoreless in the second half. Ohio State extended their lead in the third quarter via a 50-yard touchdown pass from Sayin toCarnell Tate. Ohio State scored the final points of the game via a 23-yard field goal by Fielding. The loss ended a four-game winning streak against Ohio State. Michigan recorded 163 yards in the game, its lowest total of 2025.[62][63] Michigan's offense failed to score a touchdown for the first time since September 6, 2014, againstNotre Dame.[64]
With his two field goals from 40-plus yards,Dominic Zvada tiedJake Moody for the most such field goals in program history with 17.[65]
On December 31, Michigan lost toTexas 27–41 in the2025 Citrus Bowl. Texas opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 43-yard field goal by Mason Shipley. Michigan scored ten points in the quarter via a 53-yard field goal byDominic Zvada and a 19-yard touchdown pass fromBryce Underwood to Kendrick Bell, to take their first lead of the game. Texas tied the game in the second quarter via a three-yard touchdown run byChristian Clark. Michigan responded with a four-yard touchdown pass from Underwood toAndrew Marsh to regain the lead. Texas scored the final points of the half via a 17-yard touchdown pass fromArch Manning toJack Endries. The score was tied, 17–17, at halftime. Michigan opened the scoring in the second half via a 31-yard field goal by Zvada. Texas responded with a 23-yard touchdown run by Manning to regain the lead. Michigan regained the lead in the fourth quarter via a five-yard touchdown run by Underwood. Texas responded with 17 unanswered points in the quarter via a 30-yard touchdown pass from Manning toKaliq Lockett, a 60-yard touchdown run by Manning, and a 51-yard field goal by Shipley. The game featured seven lead changes. Texas' defense forced three turnovers in the final 18 minutes of the game to secure the Citrus Bowl title. With the loss, Michigan fell to 0–3 in games against Texas.[66]
Michigan finished with 373 yards of total offense, marking the team's 11th game this season with 300-plus yards. Wide receiverAndrew Marsh finished the season ranked first all-time among freshmen pass-catchers in yards (651), second in receptions (45) and third in touchdown receptions (four).Dominic Zvada made his 18th career field goal of 40-plus yards, breaking a tie withJake Moody for the most career conversions of 40-plus yards in program history.[67]
