While the Huskies did their best to battle back in this one Michigan controlled the game from the first snap. From before kick-off the two keys to this game were going to be if Washington could stop the run, and if Michigan could get pressure with four. The Wolverines checked their boxes early, and despite an attempt to claw back in from the Huskies, Michigan executed too well to lose it. There were the very obvious issues throughout the night but there were also bright spots. What did we see, and what did we learn as the Huskies came up just short.
The Wolverines got out to a hot start. Donovan Edwards was getting gigantic holes and taking advantage of them. He powered Michigan to 17-points on the first three drives and had it looking like Michigan would run away with the game. Edwards finished the night with 104 yards and a pair of scores and his backfield partner in Blake Corum ended up leading the team in rushing as the Wolverines star back put up 134 yards and 2 more touchdowns to dominate the Husky defense.
That’s not to say the Huskies didn’t make defensive plays. After the awful start they looked great between that and the final few drives. Carson Bruener and Kamren Fabiculanan delivered big, momentum driving hits as the whole defense stepped up to keep the Huskies in the fight. Jabbar Muhammad’s injury definitely hurt, but players like Edefuan Ulofoshio stepped up to make plays in his absence. It was simply too little to late as all the big plays on defense simply kept the Huskies in the game, not allow them to take control.
The special teams were a pleasant bright spot on the night for the Huskies. Grady Gross remained perfect on extra points and hit both of his field goals to lead the Huskies in points scored. Jack McCallister pinned two punts inside the twenty, both in big time moments, giving the Huskies defense an opportunity to make plays, and for the most part they did.
However even when the defense was making big time stops the offense just couldn’t get moving. Penix looked like an unfortunate shell of himself and only completed big throws a couple of times. His interceptions came at the seemingly worst possible moments flipping momentum in moments as Michigan was giving him hell all night long. The Huskies receivers gave it their best effort as they totaled for 227 yards, but a couple unfortunate misses and questionable flags dampened their evening. The Huskies best aspects seemed lost against the Wolverines. The offensive line made costly mistakes and even though the hold on Rosengarten should be one we question when discussing the outcome of this game, he, along with the whole line didn’t play up to standard.
The Huskies simply failed to execute their game plan. Michigan showed up and looked like the team used to this moment. There is no doubt that Kalen DeBoer is building something special on Montlake, but it just wasn’t the year. This is a team full of Husky legends, Michael Penix, Rome Odunze, and this whole team will be talked about at tailgates outside Husky stadium for generations to come. But tonight in Houston they fell short of their end goal.
