news

Three things we learned against Washington

Vaseline October 6, 2024

Three tips from Angelique S. Chengelis of The Detroit News after Michigan’s 27-17 loss to Washington in Week 6.

Strengthening of the O-line

This was hardly an elite Michigan offensive line, and going into the Washington game, two of the Wolverines’ starters were ruled out due to injuries.

Center Dominick Giudice appeared to suffer an injury late in the Minnesota game a week earlier, as did left tackle Myles Hinton, and both did not play in the loss to the Huskies. Greg Crippen, who had substituted at center, started for Washington, and Jeff Persi started for Hinton.

“We’ll watch the film and see how they did,” said Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, who coached the offensive line the past three seasons. “I’m not always quick to say how the boys up front performed. A bit critical of them. It felt like we were moving the ball with them and converting on a fourth-and-1, and third-and-1. Enormous.”

The line’s run blocking has improved, but the pass protection still needs to improve. Now the line has an extra week before playing Illinois to make some progress.

Secondary problems

Recalling games earlier in the season, Washington made a habit of selecting Jyaire Hill, who had some coverage issues as well as some positioning issues (as did running back Donovan Edwards). Zeke Berry and Makari Paige also struggled.

In the first quarter, Michigan gave up big passing plays of 36 and 39 yards. In the second quarter, Washington had a 37-yard pass play.

“We just have to do a better job of closing the space by playing the fundamentals of the game. That’s the most important thing,” Moore said. “If we give up short passes, we have to clear the tackles in space. Those (Washington receivers) are athletic in space, but we have to do a better job of getting to the ball. If we do that, we’ll be a pretty good defense.”

Michigan, which entered the game ranked 103rd nationally in pass defense with an average of 248.8 yards, gave up a season-high 315 yards passing and two touchdowns to Washington. In Michigan’s other loss this season, Texas had 246 yards passing and three touchdowns.

More: Tuttle’s performance in relief for Michigan could be enough to earn him a start

Finding consistency on special teams

The good one for Michigan was Dominic Zvada, who made his only field goal attempt, this time from 45 yards. He is now 8-of-8 on the season, including four of 50 yards or more. Washington kicker Grady Gross missed his first kick from 41 yards, but this second, with time expiring before halftime, was low and blocked by another positive special teams player, Kenneth Grant.

Entering the match, punter Tommy Doman appeared to be on a high from the last two matches. He averaged 44.1 yards on the season and had seven punts inside the 20. Against Washington, Doman punted five times for an average of 37.0 yards and had just one inside the 20. Late in the third quarter, with Michigan with Up 17-14, Doman’s punt went 35 yards to the Washington 44-yard line. The Huskies would then score a field goal to tie the game. Doman’s punt early in the fourth quarter traveled 39 yards to the Washington 32-yard line. The Huskies reached the Michigan 37 when quarter Will Rogers was intercepted by Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann.

[email protected]

@chengelis