news

Michigan falls to Washington, the QB situation is in question and enters the bye week

Vaseline October 6, 2024

Seattle In a loud, raucous road environment, the first of the season for Michigan, a problem-prone offense and a played-out secondary couldn’t overcome Washington’s turnovers and big offense.

The last time Michigan and Washington met in January, the Wolverines won the national championship. This time, both teams with new head coaches, vastly different personnel and now sharing a conference, Washington emerged victorious, 27-17, on Saturday night in front of 72,132 at Husky Stadium.

Michigan is 4-2, 2-1 Big Ten and Washington is 4-2, 2-1.

The Wolverines have now played three quarterbacks halfway through the regular season, which is hardly a formula for success. Jack Tuttle took the reins from starting quarterback Alex Orji with 9:38 left in the first half and immediately gave the Wolverines, who were trailing 14-0 at the time. He led them to three straight scoring drives and the lead, 17-14 with 8:38 left in the third quarter. But in the fourth quarter, he had two turnovers, a fumble and an interception at critical moments that the Huskies were able to convert into 10 points.

“I thought he came out and gave us a spark early. The players fed off of that,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “He practiced well all week and came back healthy, which was great for us. He gave us a spark, so we’ll see if he’ll be the starter. It looks like he’s giving us the best chance. Ultimately, we have to clean up the turnover.”

Moore said if Michigan played tomorrow, Tuttle would be the starter.

Michigan has now played three quarterbacks this season. Davis Warren started the first three but lost the job after six interceptions, then Orji took over and started the next three. Tuttle, who transferred from Indiana before the 2023 season, entered this season as the only Michigan quarterback with starting experience. But a lingering, unspecified injury kept him out of spring training and limited him to preseason camp. He was cleared by doctors the week before the Washington game.

The Huskies had just shifted momentum and tied the score late in the third quarter when early in the fourth Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann, who finished with a game-high 12 tackles, intercepted Will Rogers, who had 269 consecutive passes given without a goal. sales. But on the next drive, Tuttle fumbled and the Huskies were able to convert for a touchdown and the 24-17 lead. On Michigan’s next possession, Tuttle was intercepted and Washington added a field goal.

“I have to be better at protecting the ball,” said Tuttle, who was 10 of 18 for 98 yards and a touchdown. ‘I can’t fumble, I can’t do that. That’s entirely up to me. I can’t put the team and the defense in that situation. And at the end of the last drive I can’t put the ball in danger.”

BOX SCORE: Washington 27, Michigan 17

The turnover with Washington as capitalization was the difference.

“In the fourth quarter, those two turnovers were huge. They got ten points less,” Moore said. “Jack’s going to beat himself up about it, but we can’t let him do that. We have to lift him up.”

Donovan Edwards had 95 yards on 14 carries and a 39-yard touchdown run. He also had two catches for 23 yards. Tight end Colston Loveland led the receivers with six catches for 33 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown pass from Tuttle.

Washington defeated Michigan 429-286 and had 315 yards passing, while Rogers went 21 of 31 for 271 yards and two touchdowns.

The Huskies built a 14-0 lead just before Tuttle replaced Orji. Before the game, they had nine big passing plays of 15 yards or more, but in the first quarter they had receptions of 36 and 39 yards and a 37-yarder in the second quarter.

“Early in the game they had a lot of explosive plays,” said defensive tackle Mason Graham, who was credited with half a sack. “They had too many explosive plays, but throughout the game they were protecting heavily. We did our best to get back there, but it didn’t go the way we wanted.”

Moore said, “We need to do a better job on coverage assignments and do things to clean things up. They’ve come up with a great idea. I thought our guys settled down in the second half and limited the explosive play. We just have to do that in the first half.”

Michigan’s defensive backs missed a number of tackles.

“We just have to do a better job of closing the space for the basics of play,” Moore said. “That’s the most important thing. If we give up short passes we have to clear the tackle in space. Those guys are athletic in space, but we have to do a better job reaching the ball. If we do that, we’ll be a pretty good defense.”

A major problem is also that Michigan fails to finish games solidly. The Wolverines won their previous three games on the road to Washington, but struggled late in those games. The Huskies outscored Michigan 13-0 in the fourth quarter, and in the fourth quarter through the first six games, the Wolverines were outscored 63-40.

“Details and execution,” Loveland said when asked why Michigan struggled late in games. “It seems like they wanted it more, they played more when their name was called. I have to make plays and keep the sticks moving.”

Michigan has next weekend off before playing Illinois on Oct. 19. There’s plenty to work on, but Moore said it’s pretty clear where this team is now and what needs to be done.

“We are 4-2 and our job now is to play the second half of the season and try to win every game.” Moore said. “We have an opportunity this week and next week to get better and prepare for Illinois.”

[email protected]

@chengelis