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Report Card: Grading Michigan in a 27-17 loss at Washington

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•10/06/24•

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Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore saw his team fall 27-17 at Washington. (Photo by Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images)
Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore saw his team fall 27-17 at Washington. (Photo by Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images)

Grading Michigan football in all facets of a 27-17 loss at Washington. The Wolverines fought back from 14 down to take a lead, but they faltered at the end in their second loss of the season. The grades: 

RELATED: Washington 27, Michigan 17: Notes, quotes, and observations – a spark, fire … and a dud

Michigan rushing offense: B-

These guys are good for a big scoring run a game, it seems, and Saturday night was Donovan Edwards’ turn. He broke a 39-yarder for a touchdown that cut a 14-0 lead in half on his way to 95 yards and 6.8 per carry. Washington did a solid job holding Kalel Mullings in check — 14 carries for 49 yards — though he was good on first downs with 7 carries for 37 yards. As a team, Michigan ran for 174 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. 

Passing offense: D

Together, the Michigan quarterbacks completed 13 of 25 passes for 113 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Veteran Jack Tuttle provided a huge spark in the second quarter and the first drive of the third, including his impressive scramble and touchdown pass to Colston Loveland (8 yards) for Michigan’s final score, but he threw a costly interception, as well. He’ll be the guy going forward, and he at least showed signs of competence.

Michigan rushing defense: C

Jonah Coleman carried 18 times for 80 yards and a score, including a killer 27-yarder that set up first-and-goal on Washington’s last touchdown. The Huskies’ top-three rushers averaged 4 yards per carry, and while the total wasn’t huge — 114 yards — the running game kept the Michigan defense honest enough to have to deal with play action and the threat of run.

Passing defense: D-

Washington quarterback Will Rogers had a field day against the Michigan secondary, picking on Michigan sophomore Jyaire Hill repeatedly and completing 68 percent of his passes (21 for 31) for 271 yards and two scores. Linebacker Ernest Hausmann picked off a pass with a leaping grab, probably the best pass defense of the day. Even Will Johnson got victimized by a pass interference call on a huge third-down play. 

There was far too much room in the middle of the defense, and safety play remains a concern. Nine plays of 15 or more yards, including three of 30 or more, led to 209 of the 271 passing yards.

Michigan special teams: C

Kicker Dominic Zvada nailed a 45-yard field goal before the half to give Michigan momentum. He’s been Michigan’s most consistent player this year. Punter Tommy Doman remains an enigma — 5 punts for an average of 37 yards per kick — and the Wolverines are getting nothing from the return game. 

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