3 takeaways from Washington Huskies’ road loss to Michigan
Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) trots off the field after throwing an interception against Michigan on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Junior center Landen Hatchett didn’t notice a single issue plaguing Washington’s offense.
It wasn’t simply sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. having the first game of his career with multiple interceptions. It wasn’t just the three procedural penalties that stalled out drives or any other self-inflicted wounds. It was a little bit of everything.
“Death by a thousand cuts,” Hatchett said. “Thought overall, we had a great game plan. Physically, we were ready for the game. But just too many small mistakes that killed us.”
Washington suffered its second defeat of the season Saturday, losing 24-7 against No. 25 Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Huskies and the Wolverines were tied for nearly three quarters but coach Jedd Fisch said he felt his team start to press after it failed to seize the game’s momentum in the second half the way they had in previous wins against Maryland and Rutgers.
“We did not play well today,” Fisch said. “Did not coach well. Did not put our guys in the best possible position to succeed. And then when we had opportunities, we didn’t make them.”
Here are three takeaways from Washington’s loss at the Big House:
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1. Running game stumbles again
Speaking during the week leading up to the game, offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty admitted the team’s running backs — senior Jonah Coleman and sophomore Adam Mohammed — hadn’t enjoyed the most productive performances in recent games.
However, Dougherty added Williams’ rushing ability under center supplemented UW’s run game and allowed it to take advantage of opposing defenses loading the tackle box with defenders to stop Coleman and Mohammed.
Then, Washington endured its least productive rushing performance of Fisch and Dougherty’s tenure.
The Huskies (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) totaled 40 yards rushing against the Wolverines Saturday. Fewer than the 61 yards rushing they managed against No. 1 Ohio State Sept. 27. Fewer than the 43 yards rushing it registered against a top-ranked Oregon team during their final regular-season game of 2024.
Coleman had 50 yards and a touchdown — his 13th of the season — on 16 carries. It’s his fifth consecutive appearance with 70 yards rushing or fewer in a game. He hasn’t reached the 100-yard mark since Sept. 6. Mohammed added two carries for nine yards, while Williams had five attempts — his fewest carries in a game this season — for minus-19 yards.
Facing a formidable Michigan defensive line that included defensive tackles Trey Pierce, Damon Payne, Tré Williams and Rayshaun Benny, Washington was unable to run the ball effectively between the tackles. Coleman had 10 carries up the middle for 31 yards according to Pro Football Focus. Half of those runs were through the gap between Hatchett and redshirt freshman left guard Paki Finau. Coleman totaled 13 yards on those carries.
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“Jonah is such a big part of our offense,” Hatchett said. “We need to do a better job as an offensive line unit of springing him. I think it’ll come. We’re back to work this week just trying to get as good as we can.”
2. Tacario Davis near his best
Washington had been forced to wait to see senior cornerback Tacario Davis at his best. The Arizona transfer arrived with a reputation. He was a 2023 All-Pac-12 honorable mention, then earned 2024 second-team All-Big 12 honors before joining the Huskies.
But Davis suffered a rib injury while making a diving interception against UC Davis Sept. 6. It held him out for three games, and the 6-foot-4, 200-pound cornerback finally made his return against Rutgers on Oct. 10.
Davis made four tackles and a pass breakup against the Scarlet Knights. According to PFF, he allowed four catches on seven targets for 61 yards, including a season long 34-yard completion. It also credited him with two dropped interceptions.
Against the Wolverines (5-2, 3-1), however, Davis looked like the player his pedigree promised. He made five tackles, including one for a loss. More importantly, he allowed just two catches on three targets for five yards. PFF credited him with three defensive stops — tackles that constitute a failure for the offense — second on the team behind only junior safety Alex McLaughlin.
Davis was particularly impactful covering Michigan’s Donaven McCulley, the 6-5, 210-pound receiver who entered Saturday’s game with 24 catches for 348 yards receiving. Against Washington, McCulley had two catches for 21 yards receiving. Both season-low marks. Only one of his catches was against Davis, who limited him to six yards on the play.
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3. The left side of the line
Washington’s offensive line sustained another injury blow Saturday, when Fisch said fifth-year left tackle Maximus McCree will likely be out for the season after suffering a foot injury during the first half against Michigan.
McCree was already filling in for injured sixth-year left tackle Carver Willis, who hasn’t appeared since going down with a knee injury against Ohio State.
It had been a difficult assignment for McCree, one made even more challenging when freshman John Mills, the starting left guard, went down against Maryland Oct. 4 with an apparent lower leg injury and was replaced by Finau. So when McCree went down after playing 23 snaps against Michigan, Fisch turned to sophomore tackle Soane Faasolo, who started four games in 2024 as a redshirt freshman.
“We have guys that are ready to step up in any spot,” Hatchett said. “I don’t think we necessarily need to get off our game plan. When we lose people, we have so many guys who are willing and ready to step up in those spots.”
Finau performed admirably. Making his second start since Mills’ injury, he played all 56 snaps. He surrendered just one pressure — a hurry — during 37 snaps played on passing plays and earned the team’s second-highest pass-blocking grade among UW’s offensive linemen from PFF, behind only sixth-year right guard Geirean Hatchett. Finau has allowed just two pressures during his two starts in Mills’ place.
Faasolo, thrown into the game at halftime after McCree’s injury, endured a more difficult outing. He allowed three pressures during 23 snaps played — a quarterback hit and two hurries — tied for the most allowed along with Landen Hatchett and junior right tackle Drew Azzopardi. Though Faasolo played half the snaps.
Fisch said he’s hopeful Willis can return to face No. 23 Illinois Saturday. He was less certain about Mills’ status, but the Huskies have a bye week after facing the Fighting Illini giving the freshman from San Francisco extra time to get healthy for the final stretch run.
But if Willis and Mills aren’t available against Illinois — and neither were considered even questionable against Michigan — Washington will likely need to rely upon Finau and Faasolo again.
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.