Rating Michigan in a 27-17 loss at Washington

Evaluating Michigan football in all facets of a 27-17 loss at Washington. The Wolverines battled back from a 14-point deficit to take the lead, but ultimately faltered in their second loss of the season. The notes:

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Michigan rushing offense: B-

These guys are obviously good for big points per game, and that was the case Saturday night Donovan Edwards‘ turn. He broke a 39-yarder for a touchdown that cut the lead in half from 14-0 to 95 yards and 6.8 per carry. Washington did a solid job Kalel Mullings in chess – 14 carries for 49 yards – although he was good on first downs with 7 carries for 37 yards. As a team, Michigan ran for 174 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry.

Passing offense: D

Combined, Michigan’s quarterbacks completed 13 of 25 passes for 113 yards with one touchdown and one interception. veteran Jack Tuttle provided a huge spark in the second quarter and on the first drive of the third, including his impressive scramble and touchdown pass Colston Loveland (8 yards) for Michigan’s final score, but he also threw a costly interception. He will be the man going forward and he has at least shown signs of competence.

Michigan Rushing Defense: C

Jonah Coleman 18 carries for 80 yards and a score, including a stunning 27-yarder that opened the scoring on Washington’s final touchdown. The Huskies’ top three rushers averaged 4 yards per carry, and while the total wasn’t great (114 yards), the running game kept the Michigan defense honest enough to deal with play-action and the threat of a run having to deal with.

Pass Defense: D-

Washington quarterback Will Rogers had a great day against Michigan’s secondary and picked the Michigan sophomore Jayaire Hill repeatedly and completed 68 percent of his passes (21 for 31) for 271 yards and two scores. Linebackers Ernst Hausmann intercepted a pass with a diving grab, probably the best pass defense of the day. Even Will Johnson fell victim to a pass interference call on a big third-down play.

There was far too much space in the middle of the defense and safety play remains an issue. Nine plays of 15 or more yards, including three of 30 yards, resulted in 209 of the 271 passing yards.

Michigan Special Teams: C

Kicker Dominic Zvada scored a 45-yard field goal before halftime to give Michigan momentum. He has been Michigan’s most consistent player this year. Punter Tommy Doman remains an enigma – 5 punts for an average of 37 yards per kick – and the Wolverines got nothing out of the return game.