Michigan Wolverines and Sherrone Moore discover familiar secrets to success in huge Big Ten win over Washington Huskies

Jordan Marshall steps up at RB, new playmakers shine, and defense dominates for Wolverines

Travis May — College Football Managing Editor

Oct 18, 2025 4:31 PM EDT

The Michigan Wolverines desperately needed a big bounce back win after the disappointing 31-13 showing against USC and that’s exactly what they earned. Sherrone Moore and the entire Michigan team looked like they were on a mission from snap one as the team looked like an old school Wolverines squad.

Bryce Underwood was the perfect game manager throughout the contest, impressing early as a passer, but the game was ultimately decided by the dominant run game and defense from the Wolverines. Those two keys to success are exactly what Michigan fans are used to seeing, so it was refreshing getting to witness the completely demoralizing dismantling of an opponent like that again in the 24-7 win over the Washington Huskies.

Michigan Wolverines get back to their style of football in win over Washington

First off, the run game and defense were exactly what Michigan fans have come to expect, yes. However, that shouldn’t overshadow the fact that Bryce Underwood is still posting nearly a perfect passer rating when targeting true freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh.

The true freshman made two incredible plays and led the wide receivers in yards, targets, and overall production for Michigan. That’s three phenomenal weeks in a row from Marsh now. He’s averaging nearly six catches, 90 receiving yards, and almost a touchdown per game in that span as Marsh has quickly grown into the team’s WR1.

Colston Loveland obviously is not be walking back through the door to play for the Michigan Wolverines ever again, but the tight end position was still a revelation for the Maize & Blue on Saturday.

Marlin Klein has played well in previous weeks. Max Bredeson has been old reliable this year. Hogan Hansen has made a few plays. It was Zack Marshall’s turn against Washington. The emerging star tallied five receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown, putting up more receiving yards than any other Wolverines player in the contest. He likely won’t always be asked to put up that kind of production, but Marshall stepped up exactly when it was needed.

Outside of the familiar reliance on an easy separator at wide receiver and a dominant tight end, the running game just could not be stopped all game long (also a familiar offensive Michigan staple). Justice Haynes was sidelined as he’s still trying to get back to 100% after last week’s minor injury, but second year stud Jordan Marshall was up to the challenge. Marshall racked up 133 yards on the ground, a touchdown, then caught three passes for 20 years–an amazing feature back performance.

The defense also joined in the destruction of Washington too–the ultimate difference in the game. Michigan picked off young Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. three times, twice on back to back drives near the end of the third quarter. Then of course Derrick Moore added two sacks just to make sure the beatdown was never in doubt. He was a formidable force all game long, and he wasn’t the only havoc-creator up front. Michigan’s entire front six or seven was confusing the Huskies offense all day.

This is the kind of football that the Michigan Wolverines have to start and keep playing if they want to potentially win out as the only game that matters on the entire schedule approaches. They should be able to take care of Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, and Maryland throughout the next month just fine. If they can conting gearing up with this renewed Michigan-style dominance against their remaining soft Big Ten schedule, Sherrone Moore and company might just be able to surprise Ohio State again (for the fifth time in a row).

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