After suffering a 31-13 road loss to USC, Michigan entered the midway point of their season with a 4-2 record and little room for error if this team is going to have any hope of competing for a spot in the playoffs. Undefeated at the Big House this year, the Wolverines welcomed the 5-1 Washington Huskies, unbeaten outside of a 24-6 loss at home to Ohio State, to Ann Arbor in a pivotal Big Ten matchup for both sides.
Not So Good Hands
The first quarter wasn’t highlight reel material for either team. Michigan’s offense received the ball first, leading to a quick three and out after an errant throw in the flat by Bryce Underwood and not much gas in the run game. The defense would get its first of many turnover opportunities on the opening drive for the Huskies, but cornerback Jyaire Hill dropped an easy pick with a lot of green grass in front along the sideline – likely six points if he makes the catch.
Hill was not alone in the group of players with unfortunate drops in the first half. On a 4th and 1 attempt by the offense on their very next possession, Semaj Morgan – in motion across the formation – struggled to get his feet and hands set for a quick pass from Underwood that left him more than enough open space to convert, ultimately resulting in a turnover on downs. To add injury to insult, left tackle Evan Link was injured on the previous play, further depleting Michigan’s stable of experienced talent on their front lines. In his stead, redshirt freshman Blake Frazier would take up the responsibility of protecting Bryce’s blindside.
The process, the process, the process
But it was also on this early drive that the Wolverines began to realize a much-needed bright spot for the offense: this team has depth at tight end, and players like Zack Marshall and Deakon Tonielli are ready to step up as the team deals with the ongoing health struggles of Marlin Klein. Marshall, a junior from Carlsbad, CA who hadn’t seen the field until this season, had a banner day that was badly needed. TE3 on the depth chart led the team in yards (72) and targets (7) with five catches and the team’s final touchdown of the game. Marshall, much like Klein, is a solid route runner who can do some dirty work to get open. And that effort doesn’t go overlooked by his quarterback, either.
“Gives 100% every single play at practice,” Underwood said when asked what makes Marshall an effective target. “Doesn’t matter if it’s a run or a pass. That’s the difference between him and other tight ends around the country.”
When asked about the value of sitting behind the likes of Klein and Colston Loveland during his three years at Michigan, Zack mentioned that it’s been another tight end who’s really charged him with elevating to the next level.
“I would say Max Bredeson’s the one that’s really been in my ear,” Marshall shared postgame. “Changing who I was (into) who I am now, about really attacking the process. The process, the process, the process. And coming to work with a blue collar mentality. Attack the work. Love the work.”
Linebackers in turnover buffs
All season, one of the most notable changes that this Michigan squad has had to reckon with wasn’t coming from the offensive side of the ball, but the defense. The Wolverines secondary, once a model of DB play that stymied vertical passing attacks and generated game-winning turnovers, has not lived up to that prestigious reputation in the post-Will Johnson & Mike Sainristil era. Going into the matchup with Washington, this defense has given up an average of 23 points and 255 passing yards per game against Big Ten + ranked opponents, holding just one (Wisconsin) under 20 points. And outside of a lively showing on the road against Nebraska, turnovers haven’t been a hallmark in those matchups, either.
But one area of the defense that hasn’t been feeling regression is the linebacker core. With the veteran presence of guys like Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann leading the charge, Michigan has also seen new names step up and play a big role this season. If you’re looking for unsung heroes getting their flowers, this game delivered for the Maize & Blue. With the game tied 7-all in the third quarter after the Wolverines’ offense was once again turned away on a 4th and short opportunity, Huskies QB Demond Williams Jr. would make the first back-breaking error of the game. throwing an interception inside the Washington 20 that was hauled in by LB Cole Sullivan. The Wolverines would quickly convert on the red zone opportunity, with running back Jordan Marshall finding a hole on the first play of the drive for a 14-yard TD run.
The damage for the Huskies wasn’t done. With the offense once again driving down the field in hopes of tying things up, Williams would make an ill-advised, premature read on a pass intended for tight end Quentin Moore. Expecting his target to sit rather than curl out, Williams delivered the pass behind its intended target and right into the hands of Jimmy Rolder, who once again led the Michigan defense in tackles on the afternoon. Michigan’s offense would once again capitalize on the opportunity it was given by the defense, finding the endzone on a nine play drive that opened up a 21-7 lead in the fourth quarter.
Clean and composed from Q1
Not to be lost in a great day from the guys who fall lower on the depth chart, Bryce Underwood had his most effective day under center since the start of conference play this season. It’s a credit to the often highly self-critical QB, who – a freshman himself, is currently playing behind an offensive line dealing with injuries that have called for less experienced players to step in to protect their quarterback. Underwood largely played mistake free football against Washington, and overcame drives ended by drops and miscues from his supporting cast. In addition to building a strong rapport with Zack Marshall, Bryce continues to make the most out of the talents of Andrew Marsh. It was no more apparent than on Michigan’s first score of the day, a bubble screen to Marsh where Donaven McCulley and Marshall cleared out the DBs – leaving just EDGE Zach Durfee in space against the freshman receiver. Marsh, working his way back between the hashes after the catch, would go virtually untouched on 22 22-yard touchdown.
“For the last few weeks we’ve been working on that play,” Underwood shared after the win. “And when I turned back, I kind of just smiled, because I knew it was a touchdown. We worked that play to perfection.”
In-state rivalry on their mind
Michigan got back in the win column with a 24-7 victory against Washington, but according to several players – and the head coach, next week’s meeting with the Spartans in East Lansing is already taking hold of their priorities.
“We’ve got a lot of football left to play,” Moore commented after the game. “We know we’ve got a big game next week that I’ve already got my mind on right now. I gotta give myself 24 hours, but I find myself wanting to go to the building and watch the film on them right now.”
Final: Michigan 24, Washington 7
Next week, Michigan travels to East Lansing for a matchup with Michigan State for the Paul Bunyon trophy.
