Melissa: Tommy Carr just dropped 427 yards of total offense on Saturday, including two rushing touchdowns and one through the air, to lift the Wolverines to a 28-21 road win over Rutgers. That is not just a good day; that is a statement.
Ryan: It was messy at times, sure, but when you’re a freshman quarterback dealing with this much pressure, efficiency matters more than flash. And Carr? He was efficient when it counted.
Melissa: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Melissa, and as always, I’ve got my partner in crime, Ryan, here to break down every snap. If you’re new here, we are your daily source for everything Michigan Wolverines football—deep dives, tactical analysis, and honest reactions.
Ryan: And if you’ve been listening lately, you know we’ve been talking about the offensive line’s need to protect Tommy Carr all week. So today, we’re reacting to exactly how that played out against the Scarlet Knights.
Melissa: Here is what we are tackling today. First, we’re breaking down Tommy Carr’s performance and whether this offensive explosion is sustainable or just a one-off against a struggling defense. Second, we’ll look at the defensive standouts like Benny Patterson III and Enow Etta, plus the special teams battle. And finally, we’re looking ahead to next week’s rivalry game against Michigan State. Let’s get into it.
Melissa: Okay, let’s start with the headline: Tommy Carr runs for two TDs, passes for one. We predicted a narrow victory before the game, and while we didn’t guess the exact score, seeing him take those carries inside the red zone felt like a turning point.
Ryan: Right. And look, I’ve been cautious about Carr since he took over. The pocket presence wasn’t there early in the season. But against Rutgers? He made reads quickly. His line was 22-of-27 for 266 yards. That’s near-perfect accuracy for a rookie.
Melissa: 22 completions out of 27 attempts. That is incredible precision. Did the offensive line finally click, or was Rutgers’ pass rush just off their game?
Ryan: It’s a bit of both, but mostly the line held up. Sekou Kromah had a sack for Rutgers, so they did generate pressure occasionally. But overall, Carr had time. He got the ball out fast. Look at JJ Buchanan—he had five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. That connection was key.
Melissa: Buchanan seems to be emerging as the primary target. Was that a planned thing, or did Carr just see the open man?
Ryan: Carr saw the leverage. Buchanan was running routes that exploited the soft zones Rutgers was playing. And then you have the rushing attack. Savion Hiter had 20 carries for 76 yards. It’s not a huge yardage number, but it kept the defense honest.
Melissa: And don’t forget Jordan Marshall scoring that two-yard touchdown run. The ground game finally found some rhythm in the second half.
Ryan: Exactly. Once Marshall broke through for that score, the momentum shifted completely. Michigan went from playing catch-up to controlling the clock. That’s situational football, Melissa. That’s what wins games in the Big Ten.
Melissa: Before we dive deeper into the defense, I want to pause for a quick moment. Our show is free because of you. Every coffee helps cover the cost of our daily research, editing, and keeps this feed running for fans like us. Please consider supporting us via the link in the episode description.
Melissa: Alright, let’s talk defense. Rutgers managed only 123 passing yards. AJ Surace looked uncomfortable out there. Who stood out for Michigan on that side of the ball?
Ryan: Benny Patterson III was a monster. Seven total tackles. He was everywhere. And Enow Etta getting that sack? That changed the tempo. You can’t just rely on the offense to score 28 points every week.
Melissa: Patterson III has been consistent all year, but his pursuit speed was really evident against Surace. Did the secondary play well enough to limit Jourdin Houston?
Ryan: They limited him to one catch, but it was an 80-yard touchdown. That’s a coverage breakdown. Houston beat his man deep. That’s the kind of play that hurts you in conference play. But aside from that big hit, the rest of the secondary was disciplined.
Melissa: So we fix the deep coverage, but the front seven did their job. What about special teams? Dane Pizzaro kicked two field goals for Rutgers, but Michigan’s kicker Trey Butkowski handled his business.
Ryan: Butkowski nailed the kicks. In a close game like this, special teams stability is huge. No missed PATs, no blocked kicks. Just clean execution. That’s something the coaches can build on.
Melissa: And let’s not forget the roster battles. We talked earlier about transfers needing to secure spots. Did anyone make a move on Saturday?
Ryan: Jordan Marshall definitely made a case. When he got that goal-line carry and scored, you wonder if he might see more touches moving forward. Hiter is reliable, but Marshall showed burst when it mattered most.
Melissa: Speaking of moving forward, next up is Michigan State. The rivalry game is coming up on November 7th. How do you feel about this team heading into that matchup after this win?
Ryan: I feel confident, but cautious. This win proves the offense can score, but the defensive lapses on deep balls worry me. Against MSU, you can’t afford any easy yards. They will punish you.
Melissa: Do you think Tommy Carr can keep this momentum going? Can he replicate this level of play against a tougher Sparty defense?
Ryan: He can. If the offensive line continues to protect him, he’s going to be fine. The mental toughness he showed after that Houston touchdown—just getting back to work—that’s the sign of a leader.
Melissa: We’ll see. One thing is clear: Michigan is 5-3 and sitting 10th in the Big Ten. This win keeps them in the hunt. We need another strong performance next week to climb the standings.
Ryan: Agreed. If they keep protecting Carr and Patterson III keeps making plays, they have a real shot at a playoff spot. But they need to clean up those coverage errors.
Melissa: Thanks for listening, Wolverines fans! Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear about Tommy Carr’s breakout. Go Blue!