2024-01-09 01:53:00
No. 1 Michigan has a 17-3 second-quarter lead over No. 2 Washington.
Austin Meek and The Athletic College Football Staff
January 8, 2024 at 8:59 PM EST
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Michigan leads 14-3 at the end of the first
Thomas Shea / USA Today
So much talk about Washington’s offensive line, which won the Joe Moore Award, but it’s Michigan’s O-line that’s dominating so far.
With a quarter in the books, the Wolverines now have 174 rushing yards. Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum are hitting the line of scrimmage barely being touched before getting to the second level of defenders.
Washington’s Jabbar Muhammad down with injury
Oh no. Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, a key piece of the Huskies defense, is down on the field and clutching his wrist/forearm after standing up Michigan runningback Blake Corum for no gain on second and eight.
A Washington defense that has been under siege all night surely can’t afford to lose one of their best players in the secondary.
Wolverines bottle up Huskies yet again
A massive sack by Michigan DL Kenneth Grant on first down set the tone, and even a 15-yard pass to Dillon Johnson (it’s becoming a little painful to watch him continue to take a beating) on third down wasn’t enough for the conversion.
So far this game, Michael Penix Jr. is 9-for-15 throwing the ball.
Hey, hey Michigan. Why are you throwing the ball?
The Wolverines are forced to punt after back-to-back incompletions from J.J. McCarthy. I understand the rushing average of 15 yards per carry is somewhat inflated by massive gains from Edwards and Corum…but there’s a clear advantage over the Washington defensive line that is ripe for exploitation.
A little surprised at Sherrone Moore there. Michigan still up 17-3.
Very important stop there for Washington
The turnover on downs doesn’t hurt them because the Huskies defense stepped up there. They got a big first down stop against Michigan’s run game and force a three-and-out.
Huge possession coming up for UW. Feels like the Huskies need something positive offensively now.
Washington is in go-for-it mode
On fourth-and-seven Michael Penix overthrows a WIDE open Rome Odunze. Michigan takes the ball back. Y’all, things are looking grim for Washington, there’s no sugarcoating it.
Penix looks flustered, the offensive line looks on edge, and the Michigan secondary is covering those NFL-caliber receivers quite well by and large.
Another crucial miss for Penix
Stacy Revere / Getty Images
Michael Penix Jr. has missed two throws and it’s cost Washington 11 points. Both touchdowns, including missing Rome Odunze wide open on fourth down.
Mhmm, and the Washington center gets called for a snap infraction. It feels like the Michigan defensive line is engendering bouts of the nerves for otherwise steady offensive lines.
Don’t worry, I checked the fine print
I checked the fine print and it does say here that if Michigan rushes for 250 yards in the first half, they become the legal owners of the Joe Moore Award.
I could tell from my conversations with starting linemen LaDarius Henderson and Drake Nugent on Saturday that they were still miffed that Washington’s line took their trophy this season.
A STOP FOR WASHINGTON (kind of).
The Huskies put the kibosh on Michigan’s latest long drive, breaking up a pass by McCarthy. The Wolverines still put up a field goal though, up 17-3 near the start of the second quarter.
One wonders how many rushes in a row we see from the Wolverines going forward.
I’m with Chris. I was surprised to see Michigan throw it on 3rd-and-4 in the red zone there.
The way the Wolverines have dominated up front, would Washington have stopped Michigan if it simply ran the ball twice in a row? The Huskies haven’t proven capable of it yet.
Why not run?
I cannot believe Michigan passed the ball on 3rd-and-4 in the red zone instead of just running the ball once or twice if needed. Michigan field goal makes it 17-3.
Washington’s colors feel a little too similar to TCU’s right now.
Washington allowed two rush plays of 40-plus yards all season entering tonight. It allowed three in the first quarter.
Michigan’s Donovan Edwards has runs of 41 and 46 yards, and now Blake Corum for 59.
Michigan has a chance to suffocate Washington
The Wolverines’ defense force a three-and-out….oh my goodness, and as I’m typing this Blake Corum breaks off a 59-yard run.
Donovan Edwards hasn’t had more than 52 yards on the ground this season. He has 87 yards in the first quarter of the national championship game. He had three touchdowns on the season prior to tonight. He has two thus far.
That’s what we call peaking at the right time, folks.
Michigan O-line blocked that one perfectly
Donovan Edwards bounced it outside and found a huge hole and goes 46 yards to pay dirt. With 2:23 to go in the first quarter, the Wolverines have 115(!!) rushing yards.
Michigan leading the Huskies 14-3.
J.J. McCarthy comes out slinging
The beauty of a great run game is how it sets up the pass, I’m not breaking news there. McCarthy runs the play action beautifully, getting the ball across the field to Roman Wilson for a 37 yard pass.
First quarter going Michigan’s way in terms of pace
Two total possessions between the teams with more than 11 minutes of clock gone. The Wolverines would like to control clock and minimize the amount of times Washington’s offense is out on the field.
And the Wolverines hold the line on third down. Following the time out, Michigan’s secondary blankets Penix’ options, and the Washington quarterback has his third incompletion on the day.
The Huskies settle for a field goal, Michigan up 7-3 with 3:56 to go in the first quarter.
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