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Wednesday, October 22, 2025
ALL BARK
NO BITE Buoyed by a robust defensive performance, Michigan churns out win over Washington ALINA LEVINE Daily Sports Editor
T
he majority of the Michigan football team’s game against Washington was a defensive showdown. While both the Wolverines and Huskies’ offenses managed to make significant gains down the field on multiple occasions, more often than not, they fell short of their ultimate goal: the endzone. But in the defensive battle, it was Michigan’s (5-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) unit that came out on top, snuffing out Washington’s (5-2, 2-2) offensive fire by stopping the run game and forcing turnovers en route to the 24-7 victory. “Playing hard, that’s really what it came down to,” senior
linebacker Jimmy Rolder said. “Playing selfless and just playing together.” At the start of the contest, both offenses were stuck in gridlock. Even with the Huskies having the third-ranked offense in the conference, they struggled to make their way home for a touchdown in the face of the Wolverines’ stifling defense. It wasn’t until the end of the first quarter that Michigan broke through the stalemate, notching a touchdown for a small cushion and an early lead. The majority of the second quarter mirrored the first, with each defensive unit taking turns smothering the respective offensive attack. But with just 40 seconds left in the half, running back Jonah Coleman snuck
through the gap up the middle to notch Washington’s first points of the contest, evening the score. Amid the offensive stagnancy that marred the first half, the Wolverines’ defense reared its head time and time again. Whether through a broken up pass, open field tackle or tackle for loss, it quickly became clear that Michigan’s defensive unit was going to be the difference maker. With the game tied, the pressure amped up for both teams. Luckily for the Wolverines, their defensive unit was built to handle it. Michigan’s first two drives of the third quarter fell short, with the first ending in a turnover on downs and the second resulting in a punt. It seemed as though the tune of the third quarter was
going to be similar to that of the first. With 1:32 remaining in the third quarter, quarterback Demond Williams Jr. rattled off another pass to his right. But instead of hitting his intended target, sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan jumped ahead of the route, snagging the ball for an interception and changing the tune of the game. Not only did Sullivan stop the Huskies’ momentum, he gave the Wolverines’ offense a second chance deep within Huskies territory. And on the first play, sophomore running back Jordan Marshall ran it home to retake the lead, 14-7. As it turns out, though, Michigan’s defense wasn’t done yet.
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With just 29 seconds left in the third quarter, the pocket once again started to collapse on Williams. Desperately searching the field, Williams’ eyes locked on Washington tight end Decker DeGraaf. Firing the ball toward him, Williams was once again left high and dry as the pass sailed straight into the waiting arms of Rolder. “You got to catch the ones that get they throw to you,” Rolder said. “Just huge momentum shift. You just felt the energy on the sideline and (it) just propelled the offense out there. They went out there driving the ball down.” It was these interceptions that reignited the Wolverines’ offensive fire. Similar to what happened after Sullivan’s
interception, Michigan’s offense steamrolled its way into the end zone for another touchdown and a definitive lead. By the time the clock ran out, Michigan’s defense had done more than just hold its own — it had created the key moments. With seven tackles for loss, two sacks and three interceptions, the Wolverines’ defensive unit formed a wall that Washington simply couldn’t break through. When Michigan’s offense found its footing late, it was its defense that set the tone. In the game defined by resistance, the Wolverines’ defense proved immovable, and that decided the victory.
Grace Lahti/DAILY Alyssa Mulligan/DAILY Design by Annabelle Ye
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