Washington Huskies face tough Michigan squad in Week 2
A closer look at the Washington Huskies versus Michigan Wolverines Week 2 matchup set for this Saturday.
Most of us thought the Washington Huskies would have an easy win over Montana in the season opener. Instead, one of the largest upsets in UW football history happened as the Huskies lost 13-7.
Receiver depth takes a hit
In his press conference on Monday, September 6, Washington Head Coach Jimmy Lake said Texas Tech transfer Ja’Lynn Polk took a hit to the chest on the first series. As a result, Polk is out for the 2021 season. Lake also said Terrell Bynum, the only experienced receiver from last season, didn’t play against Montana due to injury and is week to week. The same redshirt freshmen Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan.
Those injuries leave the Huskies with just five healthy receivers in Michigan transfer Giles Jackson, Taj Davis, Polk’s backup, Sawyer Racanelli, another redshirt freshman listed third behind Polk, freshman Jabez Tinae, and walk-on David Pritchard. Lake hinted there could be some position changes to help out the receiver core.
Where did they go?
Lake talked mostly about the receivers. One issue Lake didn’t address was why running backs Kamari Pleasant and Sean McGrew, who each started two games last season, didn’t carry the ball once against Montana.
Next up: Michigan Wolverines
Unlike UW, the Michigan Wolverines won their opening game of the season, defeating Western Michigan 47-14. Michigan The game was close in the first quarter, with Michigan holding a narrow 10-7 lead. They broke open the game in the second quarter scoring 17 points. The Wolverines tacked on 23 more points in the second half to put the game away.
Lake said the Huskies still need to work on their running defense. They better; Michigan ran the ball 43 times for 335 yards and three touchdowns. The total includes sophomore wide receiver AJ Henning who ran for 70 yards and a touchdown. Another sophomore, Roman Wilson, ran for 43 yards on one carry. Take both of those away, and Michigan still ran for over 200 yards.
Michigan’s two quarterbacks, starter Cade McNamara and backup J.J. McCarthy, threw only 17 passes combined, completing 12 for 216 yards for three touchdowns. Due to the Washington Huskies’ stout pass defense, It’s hard to see Michigan throwing the ball very often.
Key loss
Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said senior Ronnie Bell injured his lower body while returning a punt during his weekly press conference. He will not see action against Washington. Bell had one reception for 76 yards and a touchdown. Bell’s absence is another reason Michigan will run the ball more on Saturday. For the Huskies to win, they must defend the run and not let Michigan score early.
Outlook
Michigan is a running team. UW must stop the Wolverines from gaining big yards on the ground and dominating the clock to leave Ann Arbor with a win. Meanwhile, the Washington Huskies need to establish their own running game. What they did against Montana, 65 yards on 27 attempts, won’t cut it. Not to mention giving quarterback Dylan Morris more time in the pocket.
Before last week’s debacle, the Huskies were favored to beat Michigan at “The Big House.” Now the Wolverines are a touchdown favorite. Michigan leads the series against Washington 7 to 5. The two schools last met on August 31, 2002. Michigan won at home 31-29 on a last-second field goal. It would be nice if this game turns out to be close as well.
Washington is on the board first. Huskies go 78 yards on 9 plays capped by a one yard touchdown run by QB Dylan Morris. 7-0 Huskies. #GrizFB pic.twitter.com/0MiHrSOZdK
— Kyle Hansen (@khansen406) September 5, 2021
Go Dawgs!