In front of a sold-out crowd of 72,132 fans at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium, Washington delivered a statement win, defeating No. 10 Michigan 27-17 on Saturday night. It was a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff championship game, and the Huskies (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) avenged their loss with a commanding performance, buoyed by quarterback Will Rogers and a resilient defense.
Rogers, in his first year with the Huskies, threw for 271 yards and two first-half touchdowns, guiding Washington to an early lead that set the tone for the night. He completed 21 of 31 passes, displaying poise and precision against Michigan’s formidable defense. The senior quarterback’s lone blemish came early in the fourth quarter when he was intercepted by Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausman, snapping a streak of 269 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. Despite that miscue, Rogers’ leadership remained critical to the Huskies’ success.
The Huskies came out of the gates fast, with Rogers throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Denzel Boston and later connecting on a 16-yard strike to Giles Jackson, helping Washington jump to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. Michigan, however, mounted a response, turning to backup quarterback Jack Tuttle after starter Alex Orji struggled to move the ball effectively. Tuttle sparked the Wolverines’ offense, completing 10 of 18 passes for 98 yards and engineering a pair of scoring drives to tie the game at 14 apiece before halftime.
Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) clawed back into contention behind Tuttle’s steady play, and Jake Moody’s 34-yard field goal midway through the third quarter gave the Wolverines a 17-14 lead—their first and only advantage of the game.
Yet, Washington’s defense, stifling when it needed to be, came up with crucial plays in the fourth quarter to turn the game around. Defensive lineman Voi Tunuufi delivered a pivotal play when he stripped the ball from Tuttle with 8:02 remaining. Logan Sagapolu pounced on the loose ball, giving the Huskies possession at the Michigan 32-yard line. On the very next play, running back Jonah Coleman broke free for a 27-yard run, setting up his 1-yard touchdown plunge three plays later, which gave Washington a 24-17 lead.
The Wolverines, who had previously won 24 straight Big Ten regular-season games, found themselves in a desperate situation. On their next drive, Tuttle, trying to rally Michigan, threw a critical interception to Washington’s Kamren Fabiculanan with 3:24 left on the clock. It was a defining moment for the Huskies, as Fabiculanan—one of the few returning defensive starters from last season’s team—secured a turnover that crushed Michigan’s hopes of a comeback.
Washington’s offense, capitalizing on the momentum, marched down the field and drew a key pass interference penalty on Michigan, setting up Grady Gross for a 32-yard field goal with just over a minute left in the game. Gross’ kick extended the Huskies’ lead to 27-17, sealing the victory.
For Michigan, the night was one of frustration and missed opportunities. The Wolverines were outgained 163-47 midway through the second quarter before Tuttle’s entrance provided a brief spark. However, Michigan’s offense faltered down the stretch, undone by turnovers and Washington’s opportunistic defense. Tuttle finished with modest numbers, while starting quarterback Alex Orji’s early struggles left Michigan in a hole they couldn’t fully climb out of.
Jonah Coleman was a standout for Washington, rushing for 80 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown. His powerful running helped Washington control the tempo in key moments, while the Huskies’ defense held firm when it mattered most.
The victory was a massive boost for Washington as they continue their Big Ten campaign, handing Michigan its first regular-season conference loss in over two years. For Rogers, it was another strong performance, proving that he has seamlessly integrated into the Huskies’ offense after transferring to Washington earlier in the year.
Looking ahead, Washington will aim to build on this momentum as they push for a spot in the Big Ten Championship game. Michigan, meanwhile, will need to regroup after suffering a significant setback in their quest for another College Football Playoff berth.
With this victory, the Huskies not only avenged last season’s championship loss but also announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten, riding a wave of offensive balance and defensive prowess into the second half of the season.
