Michigan Dominates Central Michigan in Bounce-Back Win

Saturday, September 13

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

2-1 , 0-0

Central Michigan

1-2 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Central Mich.

Michigan

Bryce Underwood (Michigan Photography)

Michigan Dominates Central Michigan in Bounce-Back Win

9/13/2025 3:47:00 PM | Football

Box Score Highlights Notes Press Conference: Biff Poggi Press Conference: Players In the Trenches: CMU Recap Participation PDF Boxscore Photo Gallery

By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #23 Michigan 63, Central Michigan 3
Records: U-M (2-1), CMU (1-2)
Attendance: 110,740
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Nebraska (Memorial Stadium), 2:30 p.m. CT (TV: CBS)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Michigan football team recorded a commanding 63-3 win over Central Michigan on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 13) at Michigan Stadium. The contest saw the Wolverines outgain CMU 616-139, largely via the ground game, and force multiple turnovers. The yardage total was U-M's most since 2016 against Maryland (660).

Michigan started with the ball for the second time this season, opening the scoring 4:04 into the game on Justice Haynes' fifth touchdown of the year. The score capped off a 10-play drive, taking advantage of a CMU dropped interception on the first play of the game, and a defensive pass interference later in the drive.

The first half dominance continued on both sides for the Maize and Blue, as CMU totaled just 79 yards on the heels of three Michigan sacks, two by Jaishawn Barham, and one by Jyaire Hill. The offense took advantage of the Chippewas' short drives, finding the end zone on a 32-yard pass to Semaj Morgan, and rushes of 20 and 23 yards by Bryce Underwood and Andrew Marsh, respectively (their first career rushing scores).

On the touchdown reception, Morgan set a career high in receiving yards, finishing with four catches and 69 yards.

Underwood looked comfortable in his third career contest, showing off his explosive-play potential as he completed four passes of 20+ yards, ending with 235 yards through the air. He also added two rushing scores, including an 18-yard scramble after avoiding a sack in the third quarter, finishing with 114 yards on the ground.

Demonstrating this increased confidence, Underwood led a successful two-minute drill to close out the first half, recording 74 total yards before Jordan Marshall punched it in from one yard out, one of his two scores on the day -- the other was a four-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

In the second half, the Wolverines turned to the ground game, throwing the ball only three times, closing the contest out with 381 total rushing yards, an impressive 6.9 yards per carry. The second half rushing dominance featured four touchdowns, including the first career scores for Bryson Kuzdzal and Jasper Parker.

The Michigan defense also had a strong close to its game with a second-half shutout, allowing just 60 total yards while also forcing two turnovers (interception, fumble recovery). Elijah Dotson hauled in his first career interception in the third, and Troy Bowles forced a fumble recovered by the Wolverines in the fourth.

Michigan will open conference play on the road at Nebraska next Saturday (Sept. 20) at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff on CBS.