Carr gets spooky: michigan escapes on halloween

Michigan took care of business on a road trip to Rutgers, but it certainly was not pretty. Freshman QB Tommy Carr cemented himself as a starter, Freshman RB Savion Hiter ran like a man on a mission, and JJ Buchanan was open every time he was needed. This game should not have been close, but it was still a gritty road win for the Wolverines.

Carr started the game scoring with an early TD to JJ Buchanan to cap off a beautiful drive. The Scarlet Knights would then follow with a field goal before Jordan Marshall capped off the Wolverines ' second-quarter drive with a much-needed two-yard TD run.

At 14-3, Michigan looked like they were in control of the game. However, a rare secondary bust resulted in an 80-yard TD pass from QB AJ Surace to Jourdin Houston, a play that swung the momentum to Rutgers for what seemed like the next thirty minutes.

A strong showing from the Scarlet Knights defense was followed up by a field goal from Rutgers kicker Dane Pizzaro. Pizzaro would deadlock the score at 14-13 late in the third quarter.

Only up by one deep in enemy territory on the road on Halloween, Michigan found themselves on upset watch. However, Tommy Carr simply took the game over. A 15-yard rushing TD from Carr was followed up by a masterful TD and two-point conversion from Rutgers, and Carr found himself leading a Michigan offense tied 21-21 with a chance to win the game.

Carr took the opportunity and ran with it. A masterful drive included a third-down scramble and throw to JJ Buchanan to save the drive, hard running from Hiter, and was capped off by a scramble from Carr that resulted in a touchdown from the red zone on third down. Buchanan would finish the game with five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. Through the air and on the ground, Carr had ice in his veins.

Carr's scramble would represent the last scoring of the game and Michigan would win the game 28-21. Rutgers finished with just one sack on the day, and QB AJ Surace went an abysmal 3/12 with just 124 yards with 80 of those yards coming on one singular play.

Additionally, a terrible "kick catch interference" call on the Wolverines gave the Scarlet Knights life when it should have given Michigan the football. Regardless, Rutgers fought hard throughout the game and competed with Michigan in a way that they should not have.

For Michigan, it is all but confirmed that Bryce Underwood will not see the field in a Wolverines uniform again. Carr is the future of the program and has officially dethroned the former five-star Underwood for the starting spot.

Defensive adjustments are needed, but the Wolverines saw their backfield of the future lead their offense into a road victory, and that should excite fans and coaches alike.

Rutgers looks to respond on the road at Wisconsin next week, where they hope to kill the #25 Badger's playoff hopes.

Michigan, on the other hand, turns their attention to their rival Michigan State, whom the Wolverines need to beat to save their season at home in week ten.

It was a great matchup in Brunswick, a matchup the Wolverines look to quickly build on.