What a difference a week makes for Michigan football.
Seven days after a 31-13 loss to USC that had fans and pundits questioning the Wolverines, Sherrone Moore's prorgram went back to work, and responded with a season-saving 24-7 win over a Washington team that should have been ranked.
For nearly three quarters, it was a stalemate between Michigan and Washington, in large part due to mistakes. Two first-half drives for the Wolverines ended because of drops, one of which came on a fourth down with one yard to gain.
The third drop of the first half led to a field goal that was missed. Washington missed a short field goal, too. So it wasn't just Michigan. Bryce Underwood was sharp, though.
Yet, another failed fourth down by Michigan, the second inside the 40, kept the score tied at 7-7 in the third quarter before Cole Sullivan notched an interception. Jordan Marshall cashed in the turnover with a touchdown run.
Then, after an absolute dime by Bryce Underwood on third-and-eight, following a Jimmy Rolder interception, the freshman tossed his second touchdown pass of the game, this time to Zach Marshall, to put Michigan football in front 21-7, with 10:05 left to go.
A fourth-down stop, thanks to Derrick Moore's second sack of the game helped the Wolverines seal the win with a field goal by Dominic Zvada after an earlier miss.
It was a textbook performance. Michigan ran for 135 yards. Washington had just 48. An offense that averaged 39 points was limited to seven by Wink Martindale's defense. Demond Williams, who had over 500 total yards last week, threw for 209, rushed for-19 and had three interceptions.
That's incredible.
Bryce Underwood completed 78 perent of his passes (21-of-27) for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Marshall rushed for 133 yards in the place of the injured Justice Haynes, and here are the gut reactions to a huge Michigan win.
Gut reactions to Michigan football win over Washington
- Bryce Underwood was comfortable from the start. If it wasn't for drops, he would have only had three incompletions. He ran for a first down and never came close to a turnover. He didn't look like a freshman at all.
- Jordan Marshall deserves a tip of the cap. He was exactly what Michigan needed.
- Wink deserves his flowers. His defense answered the bell.
- This defensive performance was on par with the ReliaQuest Bowl. He totally proved me wrong this week.
- People who made fun of Sherrone Moore's shirt better apologize.
- Michigan looked like Michigan.
- The playoff hopes are still alive.
- Blake Frazier seemed to hold up just fine.
- Chip Lindsey was cooking with his calls.
- This offense is close to cooking. Really cooking.
- The Wolverines have four games to get there.
- Give Sherrone pushed the right buttons this week.
- The Wolverines were more selective with subs on defense and it helped.
- The culture feels intact. That's how you respond to adversity.
- Go Blue!