Biff Poggi on Bryce Underwood: 'I have a Labrador retriever who could coach that guy'

Biff Poggi‘s first outing as Michigan‘s interim head coach was a success, largely thanks to Wolverines freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. After Michigan’s 63-3 blowout win over Central Michigan on Saturday, Poggi raved about Underwood’s performance.

“Sherrone [Moore] really wanted to open things up with him a little bit when he felt it was the right time to do so,” Poggi said. “He’s young and you want to scale him into it. Chip Lindsey really took that mandate and I think did a great job.

“It was a plan to get him using his legs a little more, but I mean, I have a Labrador retriever that could coach that guy. He’s unbelievable.”

In the win, Underwood completed 16-of-his-25 pass attempts for 235 yards and a touchdown, while throwing one interception. Alas, where Underwood truly shined was in the ground game.

Underwood gave Western Michigan’s defense headaches. He finished the game with a career-high 114 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries.

It was a new look for Underwood, who finished Michigan’s previous two games with negative rushing yards. Obviously, Underwood didn’t suddenly develop the ability to shred defenses with his legs overnight. Instead, it was an explicit decision by Michigan’s coaching staff to make defenses respect Underwood’s running ability more.

“It’s critical,” Poggi said. “When a quarterback can extend a play — you’re a defense, you play two plays really well and you think you’re getting off the field and this kid extends the play with his legs.

“Those things are heartbreaking for defenses. I mean, it takes a lot out of you and it breaks your spirit a little bit. And boy, he’s gifted. Y’all saw that, but he is so gifted. I’m glad we got him.”

The rushing threat of Underwood opened up the run game for the other members of Michigan’s backfield. Wolverines running back Justice Haynes finished the game with 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Running back Jordan Marshall notched 52 rushing and two scores, as well. Michigan is averaging 242.7 rushing yards per game this season, the 15th most in the country.

Biff Poggi will serve as Michigan’s interim coach again next week when the Wolverines square off against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are 3-0, and will see if Bryce Underwood’s breakout rushing performance was a fluke.

The Wolverines and Cornhuskers will face off at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday. The game will air live on CBS.