Upon Further Review 2026: Offense vs UTEP — formations, substitutions, and the plays that mattered

# Formation and substitution overview

With starter Sprague out, the line rotated to Link–Efobi–Guarnera–Norton–Frazier. Marky Walbridge and Houston Ka'aha'aina‑Torres subbed in alongside Tommy Carr later in the game, and a few walk‑ons took the final snaps. Those front five changes affected run blocking angles and who got movement on the edge.

At skill positions Buchanan handled 60 of 62 pre‑Carr snaps, Zack Marshall got 50, and Marshall, Hiter, and Kuzdzal split the relevant RB work: Marshall 31, Hiter 17, Kuzdzal 19. Other contributors included Manuel Beigel (29 snaps), Salesi Moa (27), Zack Marshall (25), Travis Johnson (23), Jalen Hoffman (16), Eli Owens (15), Hansen (13), Ffrench (9), and Goodwin (9). Moa, Hansen, and Johnson saw most of their snaps late.

# What worked: RPOs and screens Michigan repeatedly ran RPO bubble and flare screens out of gun 3‑ and 4‑wide sets. Buchanan often aborted the designed run and attacked the bubble, taking advantage of UTEP linebackers stepping to the LOS. On several early plays the RPO reads forced UTEP defenders to hesitate, creating space for Marsh and other returners.

• RPO bubble to Marsh for 7, where a slot linebacker stepped and left the bubble vulnerable. The play graded positively for scheme and execution.
• A RPO flare screen to Marsh for 14 where the threat of the stretch run froze UTEP and the throw produced a large gain.

# What didn't work: a missed kickout and an RPO read issue A split stretch went for negative yardage when the split flow blocker failed to seal outside and Marshall extended to the sideline instead of pressing vertically. That sequence pinpointed two execution issues: the kickout by Z. Marshall was poor and a tackle in space stopped the play for a loss.

There was one play where the offense seemed to make the right read but the officials did not call a sideline route that would plausibly have been ruled in other circumstances. The missed call altered field position and stopped an otherwise productive drive.

# Individual plays and grades (selected)

• Counters and draw‑look passes: created windows for Buchanan and on‑the‑move accuracy led to completions into open space.

# Practical implications for upcoming games