Michigan's Whittingham backs Underwood after upset of Oklahoma - ESPN

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham doesn't read «one thing» in the media, but he was aware that his comments this past week about quarterback Bryce Underwood caused a stir.

Whittingham said Monday that Underwood's status as the starter, similar to other players at Michigan, wasn't infinite, raising the alert level heading into Saturday's home game against No. 11 Oklahoma. Was Underwood playing for his job? Absolutely not, Whittingham said after Michigan's 17-10 upset of the Sooners.

«I was asked if his job was infinitely and etched in stone. Whose job is ever etched in stone?» Whittingham said. «So that was my answer.… I don't agree that I opened that can of worms because Bryce is our quarterback, and that's where we are right now.»

Whittingham addressed the situation with Underwood during the practice week and got the response he wanted from the sophomore, as Michigan recorded its first win as an unranked team against an AP top-15 opponent since 2008 against Wisconsin.

«I said, 'Hey, here's what came out, and he said, 'Cool, doesn't bother me, Coach. I'm just going to go to work and do my thing,'» Whittingham said. «That's exactly what you want your quarterback to say.»

Underwood executed a run-heavy game plan against the Sooners, recording a career-high 18 rushes for a team-high 87 yards and a touchdown in the win. Michigan's defense did the rest, limiting Oklahoma's run game and flustering quarterback John Mateer, who completed just 17 of 33 passes in the loss.

Cornerback Jyaire Hill's interception of Mateer's fourth-quarter pass set up Michigan's only second-half score, a 1-yard run by Jordan Marshall. Michigan has allowed only one touchdown in its first two games. The Wolverines are the fifth team in