Observations on the win over Washington, 31-10
Michigan gained four red zones for 21 points; the Huskies gained one red zone for 3 points. Washington had a fumble on a 4th down stop by the Wolverines.
Offense gained 20 first downs, 343 yards on the ground, but only 30 in the air for 387 total yards in 71 plays. Cade McNamara passed 15 times with 7 completions with the only highlight being a 33 yard pass to Daylen Baldwin. Michigan was 9 of 18 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Blake Corum had 21 carries for 171 yards for 3 TDs. Hassan Haskins ran 27 times for 155 yards and a TD. The Huskies forced Michigan into 4 punts, stopped us in the red zone, and had four "3 and outs." Time of possession has a lopsided 8:30 for the Wolverines. Edefuan Ulofoshio led the Huskies with 13 tackles, and Jackson Sirmon had 12 stops.
Defense looked solid! They are much quicker, more confident, and playing better as a team under Coach MacDonald with better tackling. They held Washington to 19 first downs, 50 yards rushing and 343 total yards; the Huskies were 8 of 21 in 3rd and 4th down conversions, and stymied them with four "3 and outs." Dylan Morris was 20 of 37 for 293 yards and a TD, and was sacked four times. Terrell Bynum caught 5 passes for 115 yards and a TD. Taj Davis caught 6 passes for 78 yards. Ex-Wolverine, Giles Jackson, had 3 receptions for 49 yards plus 3 carries for 9 yards. James Ross led the Wolverines with 11 tackles, one for loss, a pass break up, and 3 quarterback hits; Vincent Gray and Daxton Hill had 6 each. Aidan Hutchinson had 2 sacks. The Wolverines forced Washington into 5 punts, and stopped them three times on 4th down calls.
Special Teams were led by the kicking of Jake Moody; he had 6 kickoffs for 5 touchbacks, and boomed a 52 yard field goal. Brad Robbins punted 4 times including a 59 yarder. Michigan needs to replace Caden Kolesar as a punt returner; he misplayed his first punt, and later fumbled another, and he had two returns for 24 yards. Michael Barrett ran a fake punt 3 yards for a critical first down that gave Michigan time of possession, and kept a drive alive just prior to the 67 yard romp to the end zone by Blake Corum. Give Coach Harbaugh credit for calling the fake punt, and for also some gutsy 4th down calls!
It was a very impressive win, and hopefully the team will continue to improve as they have one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season. Their passing game is weak, and will be an ongoing problem as the season progresses. Bring on the Huskies (Northern Illinois)! Go Blue!
