Why Jedd Fisch called UW’s offensive line ‘exciting’ in Michigan win

Facing third-and-goal from Michigan’s 1-yard line, Jedd Fisch kept it simple. 

The Washington coach called another run for junior Jonah Coleman, who had carried the ball all 31 yards after the Huskies’ late fumble recovery on the Wolverines’ 32-yard line. Coleman went airborne, leaping over the vaunted Michigan defensive line for the go-ahead score in a 27-17 victory vs. the 10th-ranked Wolverines (now No. 24) on Saturday at Husky Stadium. 

Coleman’s runway was cleared by senior center D’Angalo Titialii. The Portland State transfer stonewalled Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham — an Associated Press preseason All-American and preseason All-Big Ten honoree — wrestling him to the left as Coleman soared into the end zone. 

“I thought [Titialii] at center had done a nice job continuing to get better,” Fisch said, “and working through the process of becoming a starting center in the Big Ten.”

Washington’s offensive line wasn’t perfect against Michigan, surrendering three sacks. But the Huskies rushed for 114 yards and protected quarterbacks Will Rogers and Demond Williams Jr. enough for UW to pass for 315 yards. 

For a reassembled unit that included none of the five linemen who started the College Football Playoff championship game less than nine months before, Fisch said it was an encouraging performance. 

Washington will head back on the road this week to play Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. The Huskies (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) will kick off against the Hawkeyes (3-2, 1-1) at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“I think the offensive line is continuing to improve,” Fisch said. “It’s exciting.” 

Michigan’s defensive line played a major role in keeping the high-flying Washington offense off balance during the CFP championship game. Graham, edge rusher Josaiah Stewart and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant combined for 10 tackles in Houston. Grant also secured the Wolverines’ only sack. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Washington’s offensive line allowed 15 pressures, 12 hurries and three quarterback hits. 

Graham, Stewart and Grant all returned to face the Huskies in 2024. They again combined for 10 tackles and accounted for 1.5 sacks — one for Stewart and 0.5 for Grant. Senior edge rusher TJ Guy had the other 1.5 sacks, and senior defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny added four tackles. 

This UW group obviously isn’t the unit that won the 2023 Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best offensive line. Titialii was an FCS player a season ago in the Big Sky. Sophomore right tackle Drew Azzopardi was in the Mountain West at San Diego State. Right guard Enokk Vimahi was struggling for playing time as a fifth-year senior at Ohio State, and left guard Gaard Memmelaar was recovering from an ACL injury. 

Sophomore Landen Hatchett, who rotates with Memmelaar at left guard, also had to recover from an ACL injury during the offseason. 

Left tackle Maximus McCree wasn’t even playing college football. He had stepped away from the game during the 2022 season for personal reasons before returning to junior college. 

Azzopardi was the only player who even participated in Washington’s spring practices. Fisch noted that his five starters probably didn’t play together until the third week of fall camp. 

The Huskies still rushed for 68 more yards than they did against the same defensive line that held them to 46 yards in the CFP championship game. According to PFF, they allowed only 10 hurries. 

Titialii, perhaps more than any other lineman, was emblematic of Washington’s improvement against Michigan. His 61.7 PFF run-blocking grade led all of UW’s offensive linemen. Along with his crucial block on Coleman’s run, the 6-foot-2, 320-pound center had a clean game snapping the ball after some questionable moments with Rogers during the first five games. 

Before his interception against Michigan, Rogers’ only turnover had been because of a fumbled snap. Fisch said the team had emphasized avoiding more “self-inflicted wounds,” especially against teams such as Michigan, which can bleed the clock and limit possessions. He specifically wanted to avoid the chaotic moments that can derail a game plan. 

“So proud of the way these guys are coming together,” Fisch said. “A lot of room to grow. Hopefully this week, we play better than we did last week.”

Extra points:

• Fisch said he had “no real update” on senior defensive lineman Sebastian Valdez, but added that he’s expected to play Saturday. The Montana State transfer played only 16 snaps against Michigan because of an arm injury. 

• Sixth-year tight end Quentin Moore and sophomore wide receiver Kevin Green Jr. have not been cleared to play against Iowa, Fisch said. Moore was injured in the season-opening win against Weber State, and Green hasn’t appeared since transferring from Arizona after suffering an injury during fall camp. 

• Fisch said junior edge rusher Zach Durfee is “pretty banged up” and will be a game-time decision Saturday, similar to his status against Michigan. Durfee played 20 snaps against the Wolverines as he deals with a toe injury. 

• Though Durfee’s status is uncertain, UW will get junior edge rusher Russell Davis II back this week, Fisch said. The Arizona transfer hasn’t played this season after suffering a long-term injury but had 16 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023.