ANN ARBOR – Michigan’s football team kept it season alive by beating Washington 24-7 on Saturday in Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines outscored the Huskies 17-7 in the second half to improve to 5-2 and 3-1 in the Big Ten. Both sides of the ball got back on track after an ugly 31-13 loss last week to USC. Michigan outgained Washington 417-249 and won the turnover battle 3-0.
Here are our observation’s and takeaways from Saturday’s game:
--The tight ends’ lack of involvement in the offense has been a hot-button topic in recent weeks, but they were a focal point of the game plan against the Huskies. Top two tight ends Marlin Klein and Hogan Hansen didn’t play, but Zack Marshall and Deakon Tonielli stepped up. Marshall had three receptions entering the day but totaled five for a team-high 72 yards and a touchdown. Tonielli, a redshirt sophomore, didn’t have any career catches but had three against the Huskies for 38 yards. Several of the completions to the tight ends were quick-hitter low-risk passes for Bryce Underwood. The tight end room combined for seven catches the previous three games.
-- Given the opponent, Saturday’s defensive performance from the Wolverines was a major bounce-back after getting gouged for 489 yards last week against USC. They held Washington’s third-ranked offense in the conference to well below its season average of 468.5 yards. Linebacker Cole Sullivan’s interception deep in Washington territory set up the Wolverines’ game-winning score. He read the play right from the snap and undercut the route. Fellow linebacker Jimmy Rolder had an interception on Washington’s next drive with the Huskies on the verge of field goal range.
--Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. was coming off a program record-breaking game last week and only had thrown one interception all season. He threw three Saturday, and Michigan should have had another. CB Jyaire Hill dropped what would have been a pick-six early in the first quarter.
--Michigan star running back Justice Haynes was listed as questionable but didn’t play. Jordan Marshall had a career game in his absence, totaling 133 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. He also was involved in the passing game with three receptions for 20 yards. His longest run was only 14 yards, but he was regularly getting 6-9 yards that wore down the Washington defense.
--Fourth down remains a problem for Michigan in 2025. It was 0 for 2 Saturday and is now just 1 for 9 this season. In the first quarter on a fourth-and-1 from the Washington 33, WR Semaj Morgan went in motion and was wide open on a short crossing route. Bryce Underwood hit him in the numbers with an opportunity for a huge gain, but Morgan dropped it. In the third quarter, the Wolverines had a fourth-and-2 from the Washington 6 and decided to keep it on the ground against a stacked box. Jordan Marshall was stopped by a pack of Huskies just short of the line.
--It was no surprise that after failing to convert on its previous two fourth downs, Moore opted to punt on fourth-and-inches from the Michigan 27.
--Back to Morgan’s drop, that was his sixth of the season. He entered the day top-10 nationally in drops. Channing Goodwin took some of his reps the rest of the game as the Wolverines search for more consistency catching the ball. Tonielli also failed to haul in an on-target pass in the first quarter that could be considered a drop.
--Neither of Michigan’s starting safeties, Rod Moore or Brandyn Hillman, played despite not being on the pregame availability report. Both played last week and are considered leaders on defense, so its peculiar they weren’t out there. We’ll get an update from Sherrone Moore after the game. Sophomore Mason Curtis and redshirt junior Jaden Mangham received the most snaps in their place on the back end.
--Michigan’s offensive line suffered a significant blow early in the game. Starting left tackle Evan Link was carted off the field with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. Redshirt freshman Blake Frazier replaced him and seemed to play well.
--Dominic Zvada’s inconsistent senior season continues. He missed a 48-yarder in the first half, pulling it wide-left. After going 21 of 22 last season, he is just 9 for 13 in 2025.
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