Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from commanding Washington win
By Nick Popio
Mike MacDonald’s defense is forming into credible shape.
So far this season Mike MacDonald has been a godsend for a defense that yearned for a return to respectability. The first-time coordinator is working wonders with a group that couldn’t stop a soul in 2020. The additions of George Helow and the popular Steve Clinkscale have Michigan’s defense rising from the ashes of obscurity in just two short weeks.
Washington had no resemblance of a running game in the loss last night. As a whole, they couldn’t even average more than two yards a carry on 32 rushes.
It took them until the third quarter to eventually make due with moving the football through the air. Dylan Morris found most of his stats in meaningless garbage time for the Huskies though.
Four pass rushers on the field for #Michigan on that third down and zero defensive linemen. David Ojabo, Taylor Upshaw, Mike Morris and Aidan Hutchinson across the front. That's an #NFL wrinkle from new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) September 12, 2021
Aidan Hutchinson was superb for the second straight week as well. He notched two and a half sacks against projected first-rounder Jaxson Kirkland in the matchup that draft scouts were itching to see. Meanwhile, Josh Ross had double-digit tackles as he was the leading tackler for the second consecutive week.