Wolverines answer the call after being challenged by Michigan coaching staff against Washington Huskies
Michigan’s defense responded to their poor play with an outstanding shutdown performance of the Washington Huskies
Earlier this week, the Michigan Wolverines were looking for answers after getting bullied by the USC Trojans last week. USC practically ran the Wolverines off the field in a 31-13 stomping, and the whispers surrounding Sherrone Moore’s job only grew louder. Instead of cowing, however, Michigan’s coaches “got back to work”.
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale issued a statement and challenged his defense to respond this week and for the rest of the season. “What type of man are you going to be? How are you going to respond? Are you going to let this moment affect the next weeks you got, or are you going to just move on?”
It’s safe to say that the Wolverines really resonated with that message and rose up to answer the call this week against Washington. Michigan held the Huskies to just seven points and thoroughly dominated the hapless Washington offense for all four quarters. It was inarguably Michigan’s most complete win of the season, and should give them plenty of momentum as they look to go undefeated before their big matchup against Ohio State to close the season.
Michigan’s defense dominates
The Wolverines held Washington to under 300 yards of offense on the day, allowing just 249 total yards, holding the Huskies to their second-lowest tally of the season. Washington could not block Michigan up front, and the Wolverines piled up tackles for loss and sacks to limit the effectiveness of Washington’s elite duo of quarterback Demond Williams and running back Jonah Coleman. Coleman, one of the best rushers in college football, had just 50 yards on 16 carries on the day.
Most importantly, the pressures got to Williams and forced several errant throws that Michigan was able to capitalize on. Williams threw back-to-back interceptions late in the second half, and Michigan scored off of both to pull away from this one. Williams had thrown just one interception in his last 185 attempts but finished the day with three picks.
“It was pretty much we need to man up and come together as a defense,” said linebacker Cole Sullivan, who had the first interception. “We haven’t been playing the way we wanted to, and it was time to stop the bleeding. I think we took a step forward.”
This was the biggest test Michigan’s defense will likely face all year until they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes for The Game at the end of the season. To see this kind of response from a unit that looked so thoroughly outplayed and outcoached last week should be an encouraging one for Michigan fans moving forward.
Now, their biggest thing to work on is continuing this level of play. Those turnovers helped kickstart what had been a lackluster offensive performance, and it finally looked like the complementary football we expected to see from Michigan this season.
Michigan Wolverines News
Wolverines seizing on upheaval at Big Ten rival to pursue elite talent to add to elite recruiting classes
The Michigan Wolverines are already capitalizing on Penn State’s firing of head coach James Franklin to nab his former recruits
