UPDATE: The Michigan Wolverines delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Washington Huskies 24-7 at home on October 21, 2023. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Michigan following a disappointing loss to USC just one week prior.
The Wolverines showcased a powerful defense, holding Washington to just 249 yards while their offense racked up 419 yards. With this win, Michigan improves to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten.
In a standout performance, freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood achieved a career-best Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 83.7. Underwood completed 21 of 27 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, effectively using play-action plays to exploit the Huskies’ defense.
Michigan’s tight ends stepped up impressively, compensating for the absence of starters Marlin Klein and Hogan Hansen. Redshirt sophomore Zack Marshall recorded five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, while Deakon Tonielli marked his first career receptions with three catches for 38 yards.
The Wolverines’ linebackers were critical in shutting down Washington’s offense, particularly against mobile quarterback and standout running back Jonah Coleman. Jimmy Rolder and Cole Sullivan each secured pivotal interceptions and combined for a total of 15 tackles. Rolder led with eight tackles, while Ernest Hausmann contributed significantly with a team-high run defense grade of 83.9.
Michigan’s tackling improved dramatically, with only three missed tackles in this game, a stark contrast to the 26 missed tackles over the previous two games. The Wolverines achieved their highest tackling mark of the season at 85.4.
“The defense really stepped up today and showed what we’re capable of,” said Head Coach Jim Harbaugh in a post-game interview. “It was a total team effort and a great bounce back after last week.”
As Michigan prepares for upcoming games, fans are eager to see if this performance is a sign of consistency moving forward. The Wolverines will need to maintain this momentum as they face tougher opponents in the weeks ahead, with their next game scheduled against a formidable rival.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Wolverines as they continue their quest for success in the Big Ten this season!
