Michigan Football: 5 things we learned in huge win over Washington

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines reacts during the second half of the game against the Washington Huskies at Michigan Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wolverines won 31-10. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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Hutch, defense deliver

During Big Ten Media Days, both Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Ross talked about how Michigan football needed to get right. They essentially said they were embarrassed by the 2020 season.

Well in the first big game of 2021, Hutchinson and Ross were Michigan’s best defenders.

Hutchinson was a man amongst boys. He was credited with 2.5 sacks, as well as 2.5 tackles for loss, and was exceptional too in terms of setting the edge. Ross had 11 tackles total, which led the team, he also had three pressures and was effective blitzing all night.

The defensive line also played really well. Chris Hinton had a couple of penalties (personal fouls) but outside of that, he and Mazi Smith, as well as Kris Jenkins owned the interior.

Daxton Hill was another key part of the run defense and Brad Hawkins, who forced a fumble, was all over the place and also made a key deflection on another fourth-down stop.

The defense forced just one turnover but held the Huskies to 8 of 21 on third/fourth-down conversions and forced a number of three-and-outs. It also took 37 passing attempts for UW to reach 293 yards.

After two games, DC Mike Macdonald looks like a great hire and it also looks like Michigan football has rediscovered how to play an imposing style of defense.

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