‘I’ve Prepared for This Since Day One’ — Tommy Carr Leads Michigan Comeback With Legendary Grandpa in Attendance

Michigan made the switch at quarterback at halftime against Penn State, benching five-star Bryce Underwood after two interceptions in a first half in which the Wolverines went scoreless and trailed 3-0. True freshman Tommy Carr took over and gave the offense a much-needed lift.

Carr helped Michigan rally for a tight 21-18 win, making the most of his opportunity with his grandfather, former Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr, watching from the stands.

Tommy Carr Gives Michigan a Spark Against Penn State

In a postgame interview shared by CBS Sports on X, Carr said, “Right in the second half, coach came up to me and said it was my time and I’ve prepared for this since day one. So, I was ready and my teammates have my back. We played a great second half and got the job done.”

Carr was then asked what it meant to earn Michigan its first Big Ten win with his grandfather, Lloyd Carr, who led Michigan to a 12-0 season and a share of the 1997 national championship, in the stands.

“It was awesome. It was great. I think he’s here somewhere up in the booth. That’s awesome. I’ll see him after the game,” the 19-year-old QB said.

When told his grandpa was all smiles in the stands, Carr replied, “Oh yeah, can’t wait to see him.”

The QB also said, “The o-line played a great game… The defense came up huge. Three turnovers in the second half. They got us the ball back and we scored.”

“I’ve prepared for this since day one.”

Tommy Carr was ready when his number was called — and he’s excited to see his grandpa. 😃

@JennyDell_ https://t.co/gTJs1hzYbj

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 17, 2026

Carr certainly made the most of his opportunity in a big-time Big Ten matchup. The young quarterback went 5-of-7 for 47 passing yards, adding 36 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

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Though the numbers were modest, Carr gave Michigan’s offense a spark after entering in the third quarter. His composure and ability to make plays with his legs could earn him more playing time.

Underwood, meanwhile, continued to struggle. Entering the Penn State game, he ranked No. 74 among 168 FBS quarterbacks with a PFN QB Impact Score of 75.7, well below expectations for the former top high school prospect.

Tommy Carr scores and Lloyd Carr loves it! https://t.co/5BzDTLSgCG

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 17, 2026

The Michigan Football X account also shared a video of Carr’s rushing touchdown alongside his grandfather Lloyd’s reaction, captioning the post, “Tommy Carr scores and Lloyd Carr loves it.” The moment made Carr’s big day even more special.

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This could be a turning point for Michigan. Coach Kyle Whittingham made the switch after weeks of fans calling for Carr to replace Underwood. Whether the true freshman keeps the job remains to be seen, but Saturday’s performance has given the coaching staff plenty to think about.

Underwood’s grip on the starting role is weaker than ever, while Carr has made a strong case for more playing time. One game won’t decide the future, but the quarterback conversation in Ann Arbor has changed.