Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia grades Michigan football after the No. 21 Wolverines’ 21-16 win over Purdue on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Michigan Stadium.
Offense: D+
Jordan Marshall gets an A. Everybody else gets a D-. That’s not a good average for the offense.
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Marshall was fantastic. He had a breakaway touchdown for 54 yards, a go-ahead score before the half and a 9-yarder in the fourth quarter to make it a two-score game. And after that, he moved the sticks three times late to virtually end it. Outside of that, nobody impressed.
Michigan running back Jordan Marshall (23) runs against Purdue during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
SHAWN WINDSOR: Michigan football shouldn’t have been tested by Purdue. This win impressed exactly no one
QB Bryce Underwood was wild, and not in a good way, missing receivers in every direction and completing 13 of 22 passes for 145 yards and a pick. He also fumbled into the end zone for a touchback. Outside of a well-designed trick play that gained 38 yards, U-M had just one passing play cover more than 10 yards through the air. The Wolverines didn’t have a single drive last more than five minutes until the last possession. Overall, it was entirely uninspiring against a winless Big Ten team.
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Defense: C
There were key stops, including a sack by Derrick Moore, a later strip-sack by Moore and a fourth-and-2 stuff by Rayshaun Benny at midfield early in the fourth quarter. Outside of those three trips, it was uninspired. Purdue had six drives of 30 yards or more, six that lasted more than three minutes and five that got inside Michigan’s 40. There were busted coverages in the pass game, missed tackles on the ground and a pair of penalties in the red zone that aided Purdue in its two touchdown trips. The Wolverines were without Rod Moore, Jimmy Rolder and Cole Sullivan all game and then lost Jaishawn Barham after the first snap. But against Purdue – which was shutout by Northwestern – more is expected, no matter who plays.
Special teams: D
Michigan wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) warms up ahead of the Purdue game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
A worrisome trend throughout the season has been the lack of special plays from special teams. In coverage, U-M allowed Purdue to break three kick returns for a total of 80 yards. In the return game, U-M’s two attempts went for just 34 yards, which included a 14-yarder by Andrew Marsh that he had to pick up after he muffed. “We got to challenge guys,” coach Sherrone Moore said afterward. “In the return game, got to make sure we got guys in the right place and see who’s going to be most reliable in those spots because that’s what’s going to help us win these games.”
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Coaching: D+
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches warmup ahead of the Purdue game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The message from coaches to the Wolverines was that Purdue was better than their record, but U-M still came out flat. Purdue’s offense, led by Clarkston alumnus Ryan Browne at QB, seemingly had Wink Martindale’s defense off balance all night, taking shots deep as well as having an outlet underneath at all times. Purdue’s defense also threw “every coverage” at the Wolverines’ young offensive line, according to tight end Zack Marshall –a reason the passing game looked disjointed. It’s still up to the Wolverines to have a reliable answer. Against Purdue, it was Jordan Marshall, but that looked like the only card offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey had in his deck. It’s too late in the season for the Wolverines to look like that for four quarters.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football grades vs Purdue: Jordan Marshall was good. The rest?
