Washington pulls away in 4th quarter to beat No. 10 Michigan 27-17 in title game rematch

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington quarterback Will Rogers watched the final seconds tick away and wondered if the field at Husky Stadium was about to be flooded with purple.

The Huskies earning the slightest bit of redemption against the team that topped them in last season's championship game felt worthy of celebration.

“I was curious if they were going to do it, but when they did it, it was just awesome,” Rogers said. “I've never been apart of that and it's something I'll remember the rest of my life for sure.”

Rogers threw for 271 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns, Jonah Coleman’s 1-yard TD with 6:22 left gave Washington the lead, and the Huskies beat No. 10 Michigan 27-17 on Saturday night in a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff championship game.

This time around was far more competitive than that night in Houston last January when Michigan romped to its first national title since 1997. It also had a different outcome as the Huskies (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) used an offensive outburst in the first half and two key turnovers in the fourth quarter to take down the Wolverines.

The celebration that followed the first big win of Jedd Fisch's tenure at Washington won't make up for the disappointment of the loss to Michigan last January.

But it was satisfying as Washington won its 18th straight game at Husky Stadium, the second-longest streak in school history.

“It feels good. You lose to them in the championship and then to come back and win and beat them, it feels good,” said Washington safety Kamren Fabiculanan, one of the few holders on the Huskies roster from the championship game.

The loss snapped Michigan's 24-game Big Ten regular season win streak. The Wolverines had not suffered a Big Ten loss since falling at Michigan State on Oct. 30, 2021.

“In the fourth quarter, those two turnovers were huge. They got 10 points off of them. So we got to do a better job taking care of football in all aspects,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said.

Rogers threw touchdowns of 3 yards to Denzel Boston and 16 yards to Giles Jackson as the Huskies built a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. That lead evaporated as Michigan (4-2, 2-1) finally found some offensive rhythm going to backup quarterback Jack Tuttle after Alex Orji was ineffective early in the game.

But Tuttle committed two turnovers in the final 10 minutes and Washington capitalized.

“The defense responded and we needed them to respond,” Fisch said.

Tuttle fumbled with 8:02 left after being hit by Von Tunuufi and Logan Sagapolu recovered at the Michigan 32. Coleman rumbled 27 yards on the first play and three plays later scored from the 1 to give Washington a 24-17 lead.

On Michigan’s next possession, Tuttle was intercepted by Fabiculanan with 3:24 remaining. The Huskies got a key pass interference call against Michigan and Grady Gross hit a 32-yard field goal with 1:06 left to put the final touches on the victory.

“That was a big-time turnover. Shout out to my brothers as well for doing their job,” Fabiculanan said.

Rogers finished 21 of 31 passing and threw his first interception in more than a calendar year early in the fourth quarter. Rogers had gone 269 consecutive pass attempts without a pick before being intercepted by Ernest Hausman.

Coleman added 80 yards rushing.

Donovan Edwards rushed for 95 yards and his 39-yard TD run looked reminiscent of his two long scoring sprints he had in the championship against Washington. But leading rusher Kaleel Mullings was held in check and finished with just 49 yards on 14 carries.

The Wolverines were going nowhere with Orji at quarterback and were being outgained 163-47 midway through the second quarter when Tuttle took over. He finished just 10 of 18 passing for 98 yards, but did throw an 8-yard TD pass to Colston Loveland on the opening drive of the second half that gave Michigan a 17-14 lead.

“I thought he came out and gave us a spark early. Obviously, three straight drives we had a touchdown, field goal, touchdown. I think the players fed off that,” Moore said of Tuttle. “He practiced well all week and got back healthy, which was great for us. We’ll see.”

Michigan: Is Tuttle finally the answer at quarterback for Michigan? Just the threat of the downfield passing game with the grad transfer under center opened up the offense for the Wolverines, but the two turnovers in the fourth quarter can’t be minimized.

Washington: Clock management continues to be an issue for the Huskies. It popped up late in their loss to rival Washington State in the Apple Cup and emerged again late in the first half against Michigan. Washington badly handled the final seconds of the first half that helped lead to a blocked field goal.

Michigan: After an open weekend, the Wolverines are at Illinois on Oct. 19.

Washington: At Iowa next Saturday.

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Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann (15) reacts after his team blocked a field goal attempt by Washington place kicker Grady Gross during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, stands with son and Washington defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, left, before an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., in gold, takes photos with fans before an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Will Rogers looks to pass against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore walks on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch stands on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Michigan quarterback Jack Tuttle (13) looks to pass against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Michigan fans look on from the stands during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Washington and Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs for a touchdown against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards (7) reacts with wide receiver Amorion Walker (1) and wide receiver Peyton O'Leary (81) after scoring a touchdown against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Giles Jackson (5) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Enokk Vimahi (57) against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston makes a touchdown pass as Michigan defensive back Quinten Johnson (28) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington fans hold signs before an NCAA college football game between Washington and Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, front, celebrates his touchdown with running back Jonah Coleman (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Saturday night in their AL Division Series opener.

New York’s Gleyber Torres and Kansas City’s MJ Melendez hit two-run homers in a back-and-forth game in which the Royals wasted leads of 1-0, 3-2 and 5-4 and the Yankees failed to hold 2-1 and 4-3 margins. It was the first postseason game with five lead changes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“What a game!” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

Kansas City pitchers tied their season high with eight walks, forcing in a pair of runs in the fifth inning. The Yankees were just 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position before Verdugo lined a single off loser Michael Lorenzen.

Verdugo’s hit scored Jazz Chisholm Jr., who singled leading off and stole second on a play allowed to stand following a video review.

“I think we did have a really good argument that that should have been overturned,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Boone started a slumping Verdugo in left over rookie Jasson Domínguez in a decision influenced by defense.

“I feel like I’m pretty real with myself,” Verdugo said. “As in fans booing me, fans getting on me. I understand it. I was booing myself, too.”

Verdugo entered in a 3-for-25 skid at the plate.

“I just kind of let it spiral out of control a little bit,” Verdugo said. “For me, it was just really leaning on my guys in the clubhouse. They all got my back. They all know what kind of player I am and how I played throughout my whole career and just kept telling me, `Man, don’t let this season or this little glimpse make your whole year. You can make up for a lot of things in the playoffs.'”

With the Yankees trailing 3-2, Verdugo made a sliding catch on Michael Massey’s fourth-inning fly just inside the line to strand two runners. The ball hit the heel of Verdugo’s glove and bounced off his chest before he grabbed it with his bare hand.

“Thank goodness it popped over to the left hand, so it all worked out,” he said.

Chisholm, playing third base this year for the first time after the Yankees acquired him from Miami at the July trade deadline, made three fine defensive plays, two with the help of first baseman Oswaldo Cabrera, starting because of Anthony Rizzo’s fractured fingers.

Four Yankees relievers combined to allow only an unearned run over four innings after ace Gerrit Cole came out, unhappy with his performance. Clay Holmes, dropped from his closer’s job last month, worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win. Luke Weaver got four straight outs for the save in his postseason debut.

Yankees star Aaron Judge went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, and Royals standout Bobby Witt Jr. was 0 for 5, barking at plate umpire Adam Hamari after a called third strike in the ninth.

Juan Soto went 3 for 5 and threw out Salvador Perez in the second inning trying to score from second on Melendez’s single to right. Kansas City first baseman Yuli Gurriel threw out runners at the plate on grounders in the first and fifth.

After a day off between Games 1 and 2, the series between the AL-best Yankees and wild-card Royals resumes Monday night. These teams met in four playoffs from 1976-80, with the Yankees winning the first three and getting swept in the last.

Cole allowed four runs — three earned — and seven hits in five-plus innings. Royals starter Michael Wacha gave up three runs, four hits and three walks in four-plus innings.

Tommy Pham hit a second-inning sacrifice fly, and Torres put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the third with a 339-foot home run just over the right-field short porch.

Melendez’s two-run homer in the fourth gave Kansas City a 3-2 lead, but Royals pitchers issued four seven-pitch walks in the fifth, forcing in runs with walks by Angel Zerpa to Austin Wells and by John Schreiber to Anthony Volpe. The Yankees had not gotten a pair of bases-loaded walks in a postseason game since Bullet Joe Bush and Joe Dugan against the New York Giants’ Rosy Ryan in Game 6 of the 1923 World Series.

“They looked at a lot of pitches. We were close, but not good enough pitches to make them count,” Zerpa said through a translator.

Volpe's throwing error at shortstop set up pinch-hitter Garrett Hampson's two-run, sixth-inning single through a drawn-in infield that put the Royals ahead 5-4. Wells, in a 2-for-43 slide, tied the score in the bottom half with a two-out RBI single off Lorenzen.

UP NEXT

New York's Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96 ERA) starts Game 2 in the best-of-five series against the Royals' Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14) in a matchup of left-handers.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after striking out against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees third base Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts after a base hit against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals third base Maikel Garcia reacts after striking out to end the top of the eighth inning against the New York Yankees during Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals' MJ Melendez (1) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees' Gleyber Torres reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) is relieved by Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro (33) during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York.

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole walks off the mound during the sixth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals second base Michael Massey (19) can't make the tag on New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. who stole second base during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts as he scores against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (24) comes up with the catch on a fly ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey to end the fourth inning during Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (24) comes up with the catch on a fly ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey to end the fourth inning during Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees' Alex Verdugo (24) connects for a double to drive in a run against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Yankees' Alex Verdugo reacts after driving in a run on a double against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) and outfielder Alex Verdugo celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo, left, center fielder Aaron Judge, center, and Juan Soto celebrate after beating the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)