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    • Blame coaches for QB problems
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    Blame coaches for QB problems

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    SEATTLE – Free Press sportswriter Tony Garcia rates Michigan football’s performance in its 27-17 loss to Washington on Saturday in Seattle on the first road trip of the 2024 season:

    Violation: C

    This is a grade for the Jack Tuttle-led offense, as that will likely happen in the future. The good news: Michigan now has a capable passer after Tuttle replaced Alex Orji (who is 23-for-43 for 148 yards this season). Tuttle showcased his arm several times, most notably during his 22-yard strike to Amorion Walker on third-and-10 early in the third quarter, when he made at least three reads in his progression before firing a dart over the middle for UM’s first “explosive” passing game since week 3.

    RAINER SABIN: Jack Tuttle’s 2024 debut for Michigan football is the same old story: lax ball security

    Tuttle – cool, calm and collected most of the time – showed he can extend the play with his legs, with a pair of rushes from 7 yards on first down (one of which was by design) to give UM the lead on the chains to give and get some easy pitch-and-catches. Tuttle completed seven of his first nine attempts, three for at least 15 yards, but then threw five consecutive incompletions.

    After Tuttle’s first three rides earned points, UM’s last five rides went: punt, punt, fumble, interception, game over.

    “His name was called at the last minute and he went out and was executed,” Colston Loveland said. “It was clear that we all had a lot of things to clean up… but super proud of what he did. He didn’t shy away at all and took on the challenge.”

    It wasn’t a great afternoon for leadback Kalel Mullings, who ran 14 times for 49 yards, but the seemingly more explosive Donovan Edwards ran 14 times for 95 yards, including a score of 39 yards and a pair of receptions for 23 yards. Despite missing two starting linemen, this version of the offense is more sustainable than the one of the past two weeks. Now, with a bye week, UM has two weeks to shape the attack around Tuttle.

    Defense: C

    The Wolverines forced three punts, including a pair of three-and-outs, and Ernest Hausmann came up with a timely interception in the fourth quarter. But a season ago, there seemed to be more head-scratching moments than heartbreaking ones for the nation’s top unit.

    The Huskies converted five of 11 third downs, including three of 8 yards or longer, with continued problems in the passing game. Huskies QB Will Rogers completed 21 of 31 throws for 279 yards and two touchdowns, and had an astonishing nine plays through the air of 15 yards or more (and three went for at least 35 yards). The defense had some tough positions early, but also allowed three drives of at least 50 yards between Washington’s first four, and seven of 11 drives produced points (or attempted ones, with two missed field goals).

    “I have to do a better job of closing the space and playing with the basics,” head coach Sherrone Moore said. “We’ve got to do a better job of getting the ball. When we do that, we’re a pretty good defense, so we’ll continue to clean that up.”

    Special teams: C-plus

    Dominic Zvada hit a 45-yard field goal in the second quarter to get Michigan within four points and Mason Graham blocked a 29-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half. Those were the highlights.

    A holding call negated UM’s best punt return and punter Tommy Doman averaged just 37 yards per punt (on five attempts), while pinning the Huskies once in their 20.

    Coaching: D-plus

    The most important question: Why didn’t Jack Tuttle start this game? Over the past two weeks, despite the wins, Orji had shown an inability to move the ball in the passing game, meaning it was only a matter of time before the defense came after Mullings, Edwards and Orji in the backfield. That’s what happened on Saturday.

    Why didn’t they go to Tuttle sooner? He has struggled with injuries over the past ten months and was only available as an option when he was cleared last week. But after that, and after a week of practice? If Tuttle had started from the beginning, there might not have been an early 14-point hole. It seems like the coaching staff continues to put the team in sub-optimal positions.

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