Bryce Underwood will become the fourth true freshman quarterback to start for Michigan on Saturday when the Wolverines host New Mexico. While the stats vary, all three who started before him won their debuts. Here’s how they fared in their first games at the helm.
Tate Forcier
Date/opponent: Sept. 5, 2009 vs. Western Michigan
Stats: 13 of 20 for 179 yards, 3 touchdowns; 11 carries for 37 yards
Result: 31-7 win
Forcier gave Michigan fans a glimpse of upside right away. The opening drive featured him rolling to his left for a 4-yard completion to Junior Hemingway, followed by a 28-yard touchdown pass between the two. He connected with Hemingway for a 44-yard score late in the first half and added a 7-yard TD pass to Kevin Koger. Michigan led 31-0 at halftime. Forcier shared the quarterback spotlight that day with fellow true freshman Denard Robinson, who also made his debut with a 44-yard rushing TD. Then-coach Rich Rodriguez praised the moment, noting that “we had two true freshmen playing quarterback … It doesn’t happen very often at this level and I thought they were pretty composed and did a nice job.” Forcier would finish the season with modest numbers as Michigan went 5-7, and Robinson would take the starting job the next year before Forcier transferred.
Chad Henne
Date/opponent: Sept. 4, 2004 vs. Miami Ohio
Stats: 14 of 24 for 142 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; sacked three times
Result: 43-10 win
Henne stepped in unexpectedly after an injury to Matt Gutierrez, and Michigan started strong despite a rocky opening. The defense intercepted five passes and recovered two fumbles, helping Henne settle in. His first touchdown came on a rollout, hitting Braylon Edwards at the 5-yard line for a score, with another connection to Edwards in the fourth quarter. Lloyd Carr later said, “You can see that he has a tremendous arm. I don’t think you could ask anything more of a true freshman than what he did today.” Henne would go on to start for four years and finish as Michigan’s all-time leading passer.
Rick Leach
Date/opponent: Sept. 13, 1975 at Wisconsin
Stats: 2 of 10 for 34 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions; 8 rushes for 30 yards
Result: 23-6 win
Leach’s debut came on the road and didn’t start cleanly, as he completed more passes to Wisconsin than to his own team and threw three interceptions. Yet his legs and option work helped Michigan pull away after halftime. Bo Schembechler praised the freshman’s execution of the option, saying, “Leach’s option work was very good.” Michigan finished the season ranked eighth nationally, and Leach would become a four-year starter who left a lasting mark on the program.
Overall takeaway
All three freshmen won their debut at quarterback for Michigan, and Underwood’s upcoming start is positioned within a historical context of bold early opportunities for young signal-callers. The common thread among the successful debuts is strong team support—whether through a potent running game, opportunistic defense, or timely connections in the passing game—that helps a young quarterback settle in quickly.
Additional context and outlook
– Michigan’s early-depth history suggests the program is willing to trust true freshmen at quarterback when the talent is there, especially in games that offer a favorable spotlight.
– As Underwood steps into a national-stage night game, he’ll be carrying a tradition that has included both high-impact freshmen and moments of growth.
– The optimism surrounding this start aligns with Michigan’s broader tradition of developing young playmakers who can contribute immediately while building for the seasons ahead.
Summary
With Underwood set to start, Michigan looks to extend a streak of fresh-faced quarterbacks kicking off their careers with wins, a sign that the program continues to place faith in its developing talent and the surrounding support system.
Evaluation
Positive outlook with a history of successful debuts, suggesting a hopeful tone for Underwood’s first start.