Overview
- Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham formally committed to true freshman Tommy Carr as the starter on Monday after Carr’s 22-of-27, 266-yard passing game and two rushing touchdowns helped beat Rutgers.
- Carr played through the flu during the week but practiced and produced 320 yards of total offense and no turnovers in the 28-21 road win that moved Michigan to 5-3.
- The decision ends the immediate quarterback rotation that began when Whittingham pulled Bryce Underwood during the Oct. 17 Penn State game and inserted Carr, who has shown higher recent efficiency and fewer turnovers than Underwood.
- Whittingham said he will reopen the placekicking competition after kicker Trey Butkowski missed field goals from 48 and 35 yards and converted six of 10 attempts on the season.
- Michigan’s defense remains a team strength by limiting total yards, but PFF and game reports flagged tackling lapses and explosive plays allowed that, together with offensive inconsistencies and special-teams misses, could affect the Wolverines against tougher opponents ahead.