The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 129 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Washington head coach Jimmy Lake is entering his second season on the job, but he still has a lot to prove. His Huskies finished first in the Pac-12 North in 2020, but played only four games (3-1 record). UW's three victories came against Oregon State, Arizona and Utah, programs that com- bined for a 5-12 mark last season. The Hus- kies qualified for the Pac-12 title game but were forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 concerns. Now, Washington is striving to put it all together in a season that is likely to be much more "normal" than the last one. There's stability at key positions all over the field, including at the most important spot, though there's no shortage of competition there. Redshirt freshman quarterback Dylan Morris beat out three others to win the start- ing job last season, and he completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 897 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. While he impressed, and was the top signal-caller during spring practices, the Huskies brought in early enrollee quarterback Sam Huard, a five-star recruit and the son of longtime NFL and former Washington QB Damon Huard. It will be a competition during fall camp, and Huard will have a chance, but Morris is expected to come out on top. Whoever starts at quarterback will have time to throw. The Huskies return all five starters on the offensive line, including 2020 first-team All-Pac-12 redshirt junior left tackle Jaxson Kirkland. The group allowed just one sack during the entire 2020 season. Redshirt junior tight end Cade Otton, a first-team All-Pac-12 pick, headlines the Huskies' receiving corps, after leading the club in catches (18), receiving yards (258) and touchdowns (three) last season. The only two others who racked up at least 100 yards in 2020 — wideouts Puka Nacua and Terrell Bynum — have both departed, meaning the Huskies will need a couple more to break out as playmakers. Washington touts a three-headed monster when it comes to the running game, with all three top rushers from last year — sixth- year senior Sean McGrew, classmate Kamari Pleasant and redshirt junior Richard Newton — returning. McGrew led the bunch with 227 yards, and the trio combined for nine rushing touchdowns. A new defensive coordinator, Bob Greg- ory, who was formerly the team's lineback- ers coach, will lead a unit that has talent at all three levels. The group finished first in the Pac-12 in total defense and second in scoring defense in 2020, though it must be noted once again that the Huskies didn't face some of the top competition due to the unique season. Gregory is tasked with replacing first- team All-Pac-12 cornerback Elijah Molden, who was picked in the third round of this spring's NFL Draft, on a defense that fin- ished 13th nationally against the pass. Second-team All-Pac-12 standout Trent McDuffie is the name to know on the back end. The sophomore registered 14 tackles, one interception and one pass broken up last season, and was targeted just eight times despite being in on 120 coverage snaps ac- cording to Pro Football Focus. The Huskies are looking to get more out of their defensive line and outside lineback- ers than what they received in 2020, when they finished 118th in tackles for loss per game (4.25) and 45th in sacks per tilt (2.5). They may have to piece things together, though, at least at the beginning of the cam- paign. Redshirt sophomore outside line- backer Zion Tupuola-Fetui was a third-team All-America last year, but he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the spring and is expected to make a midseason return — more than likely after the game Sept. 11 in Ann Arbor. Sixth-year senior outside linebacker Ryan Bowman missed two games in 2020 due to COVID, but the 2019 All-Pac-12 second- teamer is primed to return to form. He notched 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2019. In addition, the front seven's four leading tacklers, which includes Tupuola-Fetui, are back in 2021, including second-team all- conference redshirt sophomore linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio. The 6-1, 240-pounder posted a team-leading 47 tackles, one sack, four passes broken up, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery a year ago. Notes Washington's 0.25 sacks allowed per game last season ranked second in the coun- try … Freshman quarterback Sam Huard was the No. 16 recruit in the class of 2021 and the highest-ranked Husky ever at the position … Washington gave up 161.3 yards per game on the ground, which checked in 59th nationally. ❑ The Huskies Are Looking To Prove Themselves In 2021 2021 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2020 Result Sept. 4 Montana — Sept. 11 at Michigan — Sept. 18 Arkansas State — Sept. 25 California — Oct. 2 at Oregon State W, 27-21 Oct. 16 UCLA — Oct. 22 at Arizona W, 44-27 Oct. 30 at Stanford L, 31-26 Nov. 6 Oregon — Nov. 13 Arizona State — Nov. 20 at Colorado — Nov. 26 Washington State — PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Cade Otton, R-Jr., TE The 6-5, 250-pounder was one of eight finalists for the John Mackey Award in 2020, handed out annually to the nation's top tight end … Named honorable mention All- American by Phil Steele. Defense: Trent McDuffie, So., CB The 5-11, 195-pounder was tabbed as a second-team Freshman All-American in 2019 … Has started in 17 straight contests. Redshirt junior left tackle Jaxson Kirkland earned a team-high 86.6 pass-blocking grade per Pro Football Focus. PHOTO COURTESY WASHINGTON ATHLETICS GAME 2 • WASHINGTON HUSKIES • SEPT. 11 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 7-5 First Meeting: U-M 50, Washington 0 (Sept. 26, 1953 at Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: U-M 31, Washington 29 (Aug. 31, 2002 at Ann Arbor) Head Coach: Jimmy Lake, 3-1 at Washington and overall (2nd year) 2020 In Review: 3-1 overall, 3-1 Pac-12 (1st North) Final 2020 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 16 (7 offense, 7 defense, 2 spe - cialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2019 (Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl vs. Boise State, W 38-7) Returning Leaders Passing: Dylan Morris (897 yards, 4 TD) Rushing: Sean McGrew (227 yards, 4 TD) Receiving: Cade Otton (258 yards, 3 TD) Tackles: Edefuan Ulofoshio (47) Sacks: Zion Tupuola-Fetui (7.0) Interceptions: Asa Turner, Trent McDuffie (1)