Tommy Carr Makes First Start in Michigan Defeat

The freshman quarterback struggled to find the end zone during the Wolverines' 13-6 loss to Indiana.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football

Tommy Carr Makes First Start in Michigan Defeat

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Michigan freshman quarterback Tommy Carr made his first career start at home, finishing with 167 passing yards in a 13-6 defeat against Indiana. The loss dropped the Wolverines' record during a challenging Week 8 matchup.

Why it matters

The performance highlights the growing pains of a young signal-caller tasked with leading a major program during a critical point in the season. His inability to find the end zone proved costly in a low-scoring defensive struggle.

Carr completed 20 of 32 passing attempts and recorded two turnovers against the Indiana defense. He was limited to 6 yards on 15 rushing attempts throughout the game.

The players

Tommy Carr

He is a freshman quarterback at the University of Michigan who recently made his first collegiate career start.

Indiana

They are the collegiate football program that defeated Michigan in this Week 8 conference matchup.

The details

Carr struggled with ball security, committing an interception after forcing a pass into quadruple coverage and losing a fumble on a failed pitch during a speed option. The offense also stalled in key moments, including a third-and-goal sack at the 1-yard line and a failed 53-yard field goal attempt.

The game took place in October 2026 during Week 8 of the college football season.
The matchup was held on October 24, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This loss significantly impacts Michigan's standing within the conference as they navigate a difficult mid-season stretch. It forces the team to re-evaluate their offensive strategy to avoid sliding further down the Big Ten standings.

The loss leaves Michigan with limited margin for error in its pursuit of bowl eligibility during the second half of the year. Fantasy players should note that Carr's reliance on short-to-intermediate passing, evidenced by a 24-yard third-down completion, failed to produce any touchdowns.

The takeaway

Freshman quarterbacks often face a steep learning curve when thrust into high-stakes conference games. Implementing safer decision-making on high-risk plays like speed options will be essential for Carr moving forward.