Michigan collapses against Washington, 27-17, ending the 27-game Big Ten series

SEATTLE – Everything went wrong in Michigan football, leaving head coach Sherrone Moore with no other choice.

His team fell into an early two-touchdown hole after three short, sputtering offensive drives to open the game when he turned to seventh-year quarterback Jack Tuttle to replace Alex Orji in search of an offensive spark.

To say it worked would be an understatement. The 25-year-old Tuttle not only led Michigan to a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on its first possession, but later gave UM a three-play lead in the third quarter after leading an 11-play, 75-yard drive , which ended in finding Colston Loveland on an 8-yard touchdown strike.

Washington tied the game with a 29-yard field goal with 13:38 left in the fourth quarter, but after Ernest Hausmann seemingly reversed the momentum with a crucial interception of Will Rogers deep in Michigan territory, UM gave it five tries back later plays a Tuttle fumble.

Four plays later, Washington running back Jonah Coleman jumped the ball for a one-yard score, and a late Tuttle interception sealed UM's fate as the Huskies prevailed 27-17 after a final field goal.

“I need to be better at protecting the ball. I can’t fumble, I can’t do that, that’s entirely up to me,” Tuttle said. “I can’t put the team and the defense in a position. Then, in the final attack, of course you can’t put the ball in danger – that’s all.”

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Michigan's 27-game winning streak in the Big Ten is over.

Tuttle was intercepted by Kamren Fabiculanan to thwart UM's comeback attempt. Washington won the game thanks in part to a pass interference by Will Johnson and a harsh passer penalty on Brandyn Hillman that led to a late chip shot kick.

Despite the result, the Wolverines appeared to take a step forward in their quest for a balanced attack. It was far from perfect, but Tuttle completed 10 of 18 passes for 98 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while the rushing attack produced 37 carries for 174 yards and a touchdown.

Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) has its bye before returning to play on the road at No. 25 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) on Oct. 19.

“We’re a really damn good team, I don’t think that should have even happened,” Tuttle said. “Yeah, it’s frustrating.”

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State of the crime

The first three drives were anemic, as they lasted 16 plays and yielded just 47 total yards (2.9 per play) and as many punts (three) as first downs.

Then Tuttle came in and immediately changed the tone of the game.

After a 4-yard run by Donovan Edwards, Tuttle found Max Bredeson for a 5-yard gain before Kalel Mullings took the lead for a first down. Then Tuttle showed his skills with a 7-yard run that gave Edwards the opportunity to gain 9 yards and Tuttle to gain another 7 yards. Then Edwards hit a cut-back behind a double-team block and ran 39 yards untouched for Michigan's first score.

“It just got us all excited,” Loveland said as Tuttle walked in. “Once we put together a ride, everyone is excited, everyone feels good. We just have to keep it up.”

Michigan added a field goal on its next possession when, on third-and-2, left tackle Jeff Persi (replacing Myles Hinton) was knocked off the ball and a defender dropped Mullings for a loss. Dominic Zvada drilled a 45-yarder to make it 14:10.

The first drive out of halftime was perhaps Michigan's best of the season. It took 11 plays, covered 75 yards, had nearly seven minutes remaining and had six run calls and five passes.

The best play came on third-and-10, when Tuttle dropped back into the pocket, made his progress, and then ripped a ball up the middle to give Amorion Walker a 22-yard strike (the longest catch of his career). ), which he was able to keep the drive alive. Tuttle later found Loveland battling for the lead.

However, the next three trips left more to be desired. UM made three-pointers on consecutive possessions and gained a total of five yards before Hausmann's interception set up the potential go-ahead score. Instead, Tuttle fumbled, giving the Huskies a short field.

“They got 10 points off of short turnovers,” Moore said. “The two turnovers in the fourth quarter were huge, they opened up a ten-point lead. We have to take better care of the ball in every way – Jack will be annoyed about that, but we can't let that happen.” He has to do that. We have to promote him and take care of him as a team.”

When Michigan got the ball back with 6:22 to play, Mullings converted on fourth-and-inches. But after a false start (on Josh Priebe), Tuttle threw an interception on a ball past Loveland on an out route with 3:24 to play.

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The defense fell apart through the air

The defense was also slow to come into its own.

Washington broke through early, with three of its first four drives reaching 50 yards or more. It started early when Rogers found Denzel Boston on a 36-yard double move to Jyaire Hill (which happened often) on the first play of the game. Coleman managed a 10-yard rush on the next play, but UM's defense forced a 42-yard field goal attempt from Grady Gross, which he pulled wide left.

The next trip didn't go so well for UM. After an early third-and-11, Rogers found former Michigan wideout Giles Jackson for a commanding 41 after running past Makari Paige. Michigan gave up another third-and-7 when Rogers found Boston on the diagonal in front of Hill. Five plays later, Rogers found Boston on a fade for a touchdown.

“They did a great job planning,” Moore said of the early results. “I thought our guys settled in really well in the second half and limited those explosive plays. … I just have to get it done in the first half.”

Two drives later, the Huskies gained 75 yards on seven plays, including a great one-two pass from Rogers to backup QB Demond Williams Jr. to Cameron Davis, for a lead of 37. On the next play, Rogers found Jackson for a 17-yard score to give Washington a 14-0 lead.

Rogers finished the game 21-for-32 for 271 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Michigan woke up after the Wolverines' QB change and ended the first half by forcing a punt and then blocking a short field goal attempt as time expired. The Wolverines also forced a punt on Washington's first drive of the second half after UM took a 17-14 lead on its first drive.

After Washington tied the game and moved into UM territory midway through the fourth quarter, Rogers threw a pass over the middle to his tight end, but Hausmann made a diving interception, giving UM the ball back. However, Michigan didn't take advantage as the defense allowed 13 points in the fourth quarter.

“Right now we’re 4-2,” Moore said. “Our job now is to play the second half of the season and try to win every game.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @RealTonyGarcia.

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State of the crime

The defense fell apart through the air

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