Bryce Underwood commends Biff Poggi for his role as Michigan interim head coach

Former Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi is officially 1-0 as Michigan‘s interim coach. So far, so good.

Poggi took over head coaching duties for Sherrone Moore due to his two-game suspension handed down for the 2023 sign-stealing scandal. Poggi, who led the Wolverines to a 63-3 win over Central Michigan, will coach his second and final game for Michigan this weekend when it faces Nebraska on the road in Lincoln.

Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood spoke highly of his interim head coach during an interview with On3’s JD PicKell on Thursday. Poggi has clearly made a mark on the young signal-caller.

“He’s a great guy, of course,” Underwood said. “He loves us as if we were his own kids. I really appreciate him stepping up and taking the role for the moment and keeping the same leadership as each coach on our staff.”

Poggi said Underwood “might actually be Batman” after some of his impressive plays in the Central Michigan game. In addition to his mobility, the true freshman also showcased his playmaking ability with his legs before eventually coming out of the game amid the blowout.

Poggi says Underwood ‘might actually be Batman’

“He might actually be Batman,” Poggi said. “We need to do a DNA test on him, because he could be Batman.”

Underwood completed 16 of 25 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown on Saturday, with one interception. He also led Michigan with 114 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including an impressive 28-yard scramble on fourth down in the second half.

The true freshman entered this season with high expectations after arriving in Ann Arbor as the nation’s top recruit. In fact, FOX Sports analyst and former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer predicted Underwood will have a great career, even despite an up-and-down showing in a hostile environment at Oklahoma two weeks ago.

“Don’t pump the brakes on Bryce Underwood,” Meyer told BTN’s Gerry DiNardo. “He’s going to be fantastic. I love this player. His release, his everything, looks fantastic. But true freshmen are not supposed to go on the road and win games at Oklahoma. Now, the rest of the team was expected to go [and win], and they didn’t.”

Underwood made his collegiate debut in Week 1 against New Mexico and put together a solid showing. He went 21 of 31 for 251 yards and a touchdown as Michigan got the 34-17 victory to kick off the season. He had an up-and-down go against Oklahoma, though, completing 9 of 24 passes for 142 yards as the Sooners came away with the 24-13 win. Still, Underwood showed flashes of his potential in the effort.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.