No. 10 Michigan changes QBs but can’t complete comeback at Washington

SEATTLE — Michigan made another change at quarterback, but it wasn’t enough to keep the momentum going.

Seventh-year QB Jack Tuttle helped energize the 10th-ranked Wolverines, who erased a two-touchdown deficit and briefly took the lead late Saturday before falling late to Washington, 27-17, at Husky Stadium.

A 1-yard touchdown run by Jonah Coleman with 6:22 left proved to be the difference for UW (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten), who recovered a Tuttle fumble to help set up a short field and the score.

The Wolverines fell to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in Big Ten play with the loss, which snapped a three-game win streak and served as the team’s first regular-season road defeat since 2021.

Tuttle, who replaced starter Alex Orji, helped lead Michigan to three straight scoring drives that spanned the second and third quarters, flipping a 14-0 deficit into a 17-14 lead. He finished 10 of 18 for 98 yards and rushed for 14 yards, but tossed a game-deciding interception late.

Orji (3-7, 15 yards) got the start but failed to jumpstart the scuffling Michigan offense, which totaled just 47 yards over its first three drives. Tuttle is the third quarterback to play this season for struggling Michigan, which totaled 287 yards and failed to score on their final five drives.

Donovan Edwards led the way with 95 yards rushing and a touchdown, while leading running back Kalel Mullings (14 carries, 49 yards) had his 100-yard rush streak snapped.

Once again the Wink Martindale-led defense had trouble slowing down a high-octane offense. Washington quarterback Will Rogers connected on several deep throws early, completing 21 of his 31 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Ernest Hausmann (11 tackles) intercepted a Rogers pass in the fourth quarter, Rogers’ first turnover of the season, but Michigan failed to capitalize on the miscue.

Cornerback Jyaire Hill (seven tackles, pass breakup) and nickel Zeke Berry had a rough day in coverage as Washington piled up four plays of more than 25 yards.

Michigan was shorthanded for a second straight game, playing without three starters: Left tackle Myles Hinton, center Dominick Giudice and edge rusher Derrick Moore. T.J. Guy (four tackles, 1.5 sacks) filled in for Moore and came up with a critical fourth-down sack

Play of the game: Desperate for a big play, Donovan Edwards came up clutch in the second quarter. Facing second-and-3 in UW territory, Edwards juked left and found a big hole down the right seam for a 39-yard touchdown run. It helped rejuvenate the Michigan offense and served as the team’s most explosive play of the game.

Up next: Michigan is on a bye next Saturday, Oct. 12, before going back on the road to play at Illinois on Oct. 19.

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