ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines prepare to face the Washington Huskies with strong performances on both sides of the ball.
Michigan’s run game ranks 19th in the FBS, averaging 216.3 yards per game.
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Six different players have scored rushing touchdowns this season, led by Justice Haynes, who ranks fifth nationally with eight rushing touchdowns.
The offensive line has been instrumental, paving the way for 17 rushing touchdowns while allowing only eight sacks.
Despite injuries causing four different starting lineups in the first six games, the unit has maintained strong offensive production.
Michigan’s offense limits opposing defenses to 4.17 negative plays per game, ranking 25th nationally in tackles for loss allowed.
The Wolverines have tallied 29 plays of 20 or more yards through six weeks, including 17 receiving and 12 rushing plays.
Haynes leads with seven such plays, all rushes, followed by Donaven McCulley and Andrew Marsh with five each.
Haynes has been a standout running back, reaching at least 100 yards rushing with a touchdown in five of six games.
His streak of five consecutive 100-yard games to start the season is the longest since Blake Corum’s eight-game streak in 2022.
With 705 rushing yards, Haynes leads the Big Ten despite ranking fifth in carries. He averages 117.5 rushing yards per game and 7.42 yards per carry, both top in the conference.
Haynes has 15 runs of 10 or more yards, with long runs of 43, 56, 59, and two runs of 75 yards. Washington’s Jonah Coleman has similar stats, with 15 runs of 10-plus yards on 96 carries.
Both backs have forced around 20 missed tackles this season.
Haynes is one of only two backs nationally with five or more runs of 40-plus yards and four or more runs of 50-plus yards.
Jordan Marshall, Haynes’ backfield partner, averages 5.1 yards per carry with three touchdowns.
Passing game
Quarterback Bryce Underwood averages 5.5 yards per carry with three rushing touchdowns and an adjusted 7.6 yards per carry after sacks.
Underwood has a 59.7% completion rate with 7.86 yards per attempt and a pass efficiency rating of 133.9. He ranks 23rd nationally with 13.15 yards per completion, third in the Big Ten.
Michigan’s passing game continues to grow, with 11 different receivers catching passes this year.
McCulley has nine catches and two touchdowns in the last two games, while Marsh has 218 yards and a touchdown.
Marsh’s 69-yard touchdown reception at USC was Michigan’s longest pass play this year and the longest since a 75-yard touchdown in 2022.
Michigan is one of seven teams nationally with six or more rushing plays of 40-plus yards this season.
Defense
The Wolverines lead the turnover battle with an 11-4 ratio, ranking 16th nationally in turnovers gained.
Cole Sullivan leads the team with three turnovers forced.
Michigan’s defense ranks 12th in interceptions with eight, having multiple turnovers in four of six games. Seven players have recorded interceptions this season.
The defense has registered at least one interception in 10 straight games dating back to 2024.
Seventeen players have recorded interceptions or pass breakups, including linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs.
Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry lead with four pass breakups each.
Michigan ranks second in the Big Ten with 30 total pass breakups.
The pass rush averages 2.5 sacks per game, tied for fifth in the Big Ten with 15 total sacks.
This has contributed to a tackles-for-loss rank of 26th nationally, averaging 6.7 negative plays per game.
Jaishawn Barham leads with three sacks and six tackles for loss.
The pass rush will be tested against Washington’s Demond Williams Jr., who ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 1,628 passing yards and second in completion percentage at 74.1%.
Linebacker Ernest Hausmann leads the defense with 40 tackles, followed by Jimmy Rolder with 34. Sullivan has 26 tackles, all of which are from linebackers.
Defensive back Brandyn Hillman leads the secondary with 25 tackles, and Trey Pierce leads the interior linemen with 15.
Washington’s Jonah Coleman ranks fifth in the Big Ten with 518 rushing yards and leads the conference with 11 rushing touchdowns. Michigan holds opponents to 3.1 yards per carry.
Opponents have scored only four field goals and two touchdowns in fourth quarters this season.
Michigan has allowed five touchdowns and four field goals in second halves, ranking tied for 17th nationally with 7.8 points allowed per second half.