Best and worst from Michigan's loss to Washington
SEATTLE — No. 10 Michigan Wolverines football fell at Washington, 27-17, Saturday night at Husky Stadium. Here are the best and worst from the game.
Most consequential decision
Michigan junior quarterback Alex Orji struggled early in the game, going 3-of-7 passing for 15 yards, with 3 rushes for 11 yards, and head coach Sherrone Moore benched him after three series. Graduate Jack Tuttle hadn’t been healthy most of the season but got back last week, and it was time to make the move.
After totaling only 47 yards on 16 plays with Orji in the game, the offense looked completely different with Tuttle in. Washington had to defend the entire field, and he used his legs, too, rushing for 14 yards on 4 non-sack rushes.
Michigan had a 17-14 lead after its first drive of the third quarter, something that didn’t seem all that likely earlier in the game unless the Wolverines got something more out of the quarterback spot.
Tuttle looks like the man going forward.
Best stretch
Perhaps the most incredible stat to come out of Tuttle’s time Saturday night was that Michigan scored on three-straight possessions after he came in — a touchdown, a field goal and a touchdown. That marked the Wolverines’ first occurrence of scoring on three-straight drives this entire season.
Explosive plays
Michigan gave up 3 passing plays of 30-plus yards and 7 of 15-plus in the first half alone. For the game, the Huskies had 9 passing plays of 15-plus, and 209 of their 315 passing yards came on those chunk gains.
Michigan’s defense just didn’t come to play with its ‘A’ stuff, giving up 429 total yards and 27 points. The Huskies had U-M on its heels at times, including when bringing in backup quarterback Demond Williams Jr., a dynamic athlete who’s seen occasional snaps all season.
Screen passes and a double-pass trick play caught Michigan off guard. The Wolverines also missed quite a few tackles, and Washington had some timely runs from running back Jonah Coleman (18 carries, 80 yards, 1 touchdown). Washington went with tempo and had some success. The Huskies did enough right to come out on top.
Revenge
Washington got its revenge on Michigan for last season’s national championship game. This one was much less important, of course, but a huge victory for first-year head coach Jedd Fisch as he takes over a program that lost so much from its Pac-12 championship-winning 2023 squad.
Washington wide receiver Giles Jackson also enacted some revenge — 4 catches, 78 yards and 1 touchdown worth of it. He spent the 2019-20 seasons at Michigan before transferring out west, and he showed lack of class after the Huskies suffered a 31-10 beatdown at The Big House in 2021, yelling expletives at fans as he exited the field.
He has to feel good after this one, playing a key role in a win over his former team.
Big game Don
Michigan junior running back Donovan Edwards has a knack for breaking off long touchdown runs in big games, and he did it again Saturday night. Edwards dashed 39 yards for a score to get Michigan within seven points (14-7) in the second quarter, which gave the team life after a disastrous start.
Edwards, of course, is one of the main reasons why Washington couldn’t capture the national championship this past January. He had 2 40-plus-yard touchdown runs in the 34-13 triumph in Houston. Washington fans must’ve had flashbacks Saturday.
Best passing play of the season
Without the same talent level, of course, Michigan’s offense looked and felt similar to last season’s outfit once Tuttle came in. The Wolverines had more of a downfield passing threat and were clicking much better in all areas early on after the switch.
Tuttle made a play similar to many that former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy made, too, on his 8-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Colston Loveland.
Tuttle scrambled out to his right, evaded pressure and found Loveland in the end zone on an impressive touchdown.
Momentum swings
There were multiple momentum swings after the game was tied 17-17 early in the fourth quarter. Washington had the momentum at that point, but Michigan got it back with a leaping interception by junior linebacker Ernest Hausmann. (By the way, Hausmann wins the award for ‘best defensive play.’ What a pick.)
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A completion would’ve put Washington squarely in field goal range, but Michigan got the ball back with a chance to take the lead itself. The U-M crowd — a large contingent that traveled — was really into it at that point.
The Maize and Blue quickly gave it back, though, with Tuttle fumbling on a scramble up the middle. Washington converted with a touchdown, and Tuttle threw a pick.
It was no surprise Tuttle, who likely hasn’t been a part of contact football since mop-up duty last season, lost a fumble. And he was trying to make a play to lead his team back but misfired on a sideline throw intended for Loveland.
We’ve written about the margin for error being slim for Michigan with poor quarterback play this season, and it was small again Saturday night since the Wolverines dug themselves a 14-0 hole. Tuttle isn’t blameless for the loss, but he gave them a chance.
Michigan’s defense had the chance to get the ball back late, too, but committed two penalties on third-and-8, moving the chains for Washington, which kicked a field goal to go up two scores with just over a minute left.
Worst footing
Washington’s Husky Stadium features artificial turf, like Michigan is used to playing on, but the Wolverines didn’t seem to get comfortable with the surface. They were slipping all night long, including junior nickel back Zeke Berry when allowing a touchdown and Edwards when failing to hit a hole that could’ve taken him the distance for another long touchdown.
This one has to sting for Edwards:
Tables turned
Michigan has had so many epic victories over the last few years — at home and on the road. Fans have rushed the field at The Big House after two wins over Ohio State (2021, 2023). Despite being in some dicey positions, U-M always seemed to pull through.
This one was different, though, showing the cyclical nature of college football. Michigan is a team still growing, as is Washington, leaving it vulnerable to lose to an unranked opponent. The 10th-ranked Wolverines were the ones who fell Saturday, and Husky fans celebrated accordingly.
Most chaotic day
Michigan is one of five top-11 teams in the Associated Press poll to lose Saturday, so it’s certainly not alone.
Vanderbilt fans carried the goal posts to Broadway in Nashville after stunning No. 1 Alabama. No. 4 Tennessee was upset at Arkansas. No. 9 Missouri was blown out at No. 25 Texas A&M. No. 11 USC got picked off by Minnesota.
College. Football. Always. Delivers.
Sometimes, as many fans of top-tier programs found out this weekend, you’re just on the wrong end of it.
