Michigan’s prized freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood experienced his first real growing pains in the Wolverines’ 24-13 defeat to Oklahoma. Just a week after a near-flawless debut against New Mexico, Underwood was pressured into mistakes against a nationally ranked Sooners team led by Brent Venables.
Fox Sports analyst Michael Cohen noted the contrast in challenges.
“It also set the stage for what many around the sport were fascinated to see when it comes to Underwood, an 18-year-old kid and the No. 1 overall prospect in this year’s recruiting cycle,” Cohen noted. “Sure, he’d more or less aced his debut against New Mexico with 251 passing yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, but Saturday night’s nationally televised showdown pitted Michigan against the No. 18 team in the country.”
The numbers told the story. Underwood completed only 9 of 24 passes for 142 yards. Most of his production came on two long completions, while the rest of the night revealed indecision and hurried throws against relentless pressure.
On On3’s postgame show, analysts Andy and Ari described the situation.
“It’s clear Bryce was a freshman. You shouldn’t be putting a true freshman in that situation, but that’s the situation they’re in,” one said. “I think Bryce Underwood will get better, but he looked like a freshman out there. He did.”
The discussion also touched on Michigan’s roster management.
“Michigan didn’t want to start him this year either. They went and got Mikey Keene and then he got hurt,” the analyst added, pointing out that the Wolverines lacked a veteran option to lean on.
Despite the criticism, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer offered praise for his counterpart.
“He played a really good defense today. 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,” Mateer said. “He’s super talented. He’s a lot better than I was as a freshman. That’s why he was rated the way he is.”
John Mateer on Bryce Underwood: “He played a really good defense today. 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…
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) September 7, 2025
Mateer shone in his own right, throwing for 270 yards, rushing for 74, and accounting for three touchdowns. His performance, combined with Underwood’s struggles, underscored the gulf between an experienced transfer and a rookie learning in real time.