Michigan’s defense generated seven tackles for loss against Washington with 16 quarterback pressures on Saturday. It began the game without Carver Willis and John Mills for the second-consecutive week. Willis was injured in the first half of the Ohio State game, and Mills left the Maryland game in the third quarter. In Ann Arbor, backup left tackle Max McCree started for the third-straight week, but left with a foot injury. In addition, the team’s best blocking tight end Quentin Moore was carted off of the field with a head injury.
On Monday, Fisch provided optimism for all four blockers, but no hard timeline. He was also asked about his future as the head coach at Washington with several coaching jobs becoming available around the country.
Jedd Fisch Addresses UW Injuries
Key Blocker Injury Updates
“I’m hopeful that Carver Willis can play this week. Hopeful that John Mills can play this week.” The two had played a nearly identical amount of snaps this year, with 222, and 221 respectively. Combined, they’ve allowed just one sack and 15 quarterback pressures on the year. Getting one or both of them back would help shore things up after the Wolverines found the backfield consistently last week. On Monday, Fisch said McCree’s foot injury occurred at the end of the first half at Michigan. He called it “significant” but not season-ending. As such, Soane Faasolo will continue to receive increased reps moving towards the Illinois game this weekend.
“I thought he did some good things,” Fisch said of Faasolo’s performance against Michigan. “He got put in a tough position…against an elite set of two pass rushers.” Faasolo allowed three quarterback pressures on 23 blocking snaps on Saturday. Entering the Michigan game, he had played 21 snaps and allowed one pressure. “We’ll continue to work Soane in,” Fisch continued.”He certainly will be our, either starting tackle or rotational tackle, here in the next week or so looking at what happens at Illinois.”
Fisch also delivered positive news surrounding Moore at tight end. “We’re very fortunate that [Moore’s head] injury wasn’t nearly what we initially thought it could have been.” Fisch said that Moore was hit in a certain spot where he’ll have to overcome a concussion. He expects Moore to return to the field this year, but he’ll miss some time. For now, Fisch said the tight end room will feature the trio of Decker DeGraaf, Baron Noane, and Austin Simmons.
Open Coaching Positions
With several coaching jobs turning vacant in the recent days and weeks, Fisch’s name has been brought up in relation to the Florida job. Billy Napier was fired over the weekend, and Fisch is a Florida alum. He graduated from there in 1998 and his first collegiate coaching job was as a graduate assistant for Steve Spurrier and the Gators in 1999. On Monday, Fisch was asked about his future at Washington as it relates to the open coaching positions around the country.
“I’m not going to address any of the coaching changes, or coaching rumors, or anything to that effect. I’ve learned from that, that the most important thing we can do here is talk about being where our feet are. And I think it’s a really important time for us to play really well this week, and that’s what our focus is on. And my responsibility is to make sure that our team is fully ready to play our best game on Saturday.”
Fisch is about to coach his 21st game at Washington this weekend against Illinois. With a record of 11-9 overall, he’s built a competitive team constructed with many of his own players mid-way through year two. Six true freshmen have started at least one game this season, three on offense and three on defense. Each have been major contributors through seven games. That speaks to the strength of Fisch’s 2025 class.
Looking ahead, the Huskies’ 2026 class ranks inside the top 20 nationally. Fisch and staff have built a situation at Washington that can be prosperous. It certainly makes sense why his name is being floated for the Florida job. But based on the evaluation of his current situation, he’s best suited to win right now at Washington.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
