Washington

Unprecedented national title rematch features two retooled teams in Washington and Michigan

Published

2 years ago

October 4, 2024

Unprecedented national title rematch features two retooled teams in Washington and Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines (4-1) will take the field Saturday night in Seattle against the Washington Huskies (3-2) in a rematch of last season’s national championship game. While these two teams played a mere nine months ago, won by Michigan, 34-13 in Houston, Texas, this matchup will be far from familiar.

Each team enters this game looking completely different than last season – both have new head coaches, very different rosters, and regular-season troubles. On top of this, these two teams will meet as Big Ten opponents for the first time ever. After having to watch Michigan bask in the glory of a perfect season, the Huskies are sure to be out for revenge. On top of that, they will be looking for a statement conference win after a surprising loss to Rutgers last weekend. Michigan, on the other hand, will be looking to silence the doubters after near disasters in the second half against USC and Minnesota. Despite last season’s success, both teams are entering this game with a lot to prove.

This will be the first regular-season rematch of a national title game since 2012, and the first one ever to feature new head coaches for both teams.

Washington began retooling its offense by landing QB Will Rogers, who transferred from Mississippi State, where he played four years. He currently leads all active players in career passing yards and has had good numbers thus far. His 1,354 passing yards this season put him in the top 15 in the country, and he has yet to throw an interception in the first five games.

It should be noted, however, that Washington’s three wins this season have come against Weber State, Eastern Michigan and Northwestern, while they have lost to Rutgers and Washington State.

Still, wins are wins and they been led to a trio of them in part to wide receiver Denzel Boston. Rogers has found Boston in the endzone seven times this season, placing him second in the country in receiving touchdowns. Boston is also second in the Big Ten in receiving yards this season, placing him right above teammate Giles Jackson.

Jackson is currently third in the conference for receiving yards but will be looking to make a big impact against his former team this weekend. Jackson served as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Wolverines in the 2019 and 2020 seasons before transferring to Washington. His second game with the Huskies brought him back to the Big House, where he went viral for yelling expletives at Michigan fans following a 31-10 loss. After last season, he now has two losses against his former team. This weekend, he will have a chance to prevent a third.

Why Washington could be ‘a handful’ for Michigan

Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge preview the rematch of last year’s national championship between Michigan and Washington and why the Huskies could be “a handful” for the Wolverines if they put it together.

Washington’s best weapon, however, might be in its run game with junior Jonah Coleman. Coleman transferred from Arizona this past offseason, following head coach Jedd Fisch to Seattle. Coleman is an explosive runner who is lethal in space, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He is also an asset in the passing game, particularly on checkdown throws. Coleman averages 2.5 catches per game and has over 100 receiving yards on the year.

The weak link in a generally strong Washington offense is the offensive line. This is a far cry from last year, when the Huskies won the Joe Moore Award for the most outstanding offensive line unit. Of the six players who started at least three games for last year’s line, two of them were drafted into the NFL while the other four transferred to other programs. This year’s unit is largely comprised of transfers, and still seems to be struggling to find its footing. Rogers’ ability to throw under pressure, along with Coleman’s fantastic vision and explosive burst, have helped mask some of the line’s issues, but its relative weakness is still evident.

As for Washington’s defense, linebacker Carson Bruener is one of the best players. He has one of the Huskies’ three interceptions on the season and leads the team in tackles. Another one of those interceptions went to cornerback Thaddeus Dixon, who plays opposite Ephesians Prysock. Prysock followed Jedd Fisch from Arizona and is viewed by experts as a potential top-100 NFL draft prospect. On the defensive line, edge rusher Zach Durfee is tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks on the year. He’s been sidelined at times with a toe injury but Coach Fisch says he is optimistic Durfee will be able to play this weekend.

Moving on to this weekend’s road underdogs, Michigan’s offense features many new faces this year. After the departure of top-10 draft pick JJ McCarthy, Michigan has been left with a void at QB. Instead of seeking an upgrade in the transfer portal, Michigan chose to bank on the development of the players they already had. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, this decision seems to have proven costly.

After throwing six interceptions (and only two touchdowns) in his three games as the starter, former walk-on Davis Warren was benched in favor of the incredibly athletic Alex Orji. Last year, Orji played on rare occasions as a gadget player, running the ball 15 times without throwing a pass. In Orji’s first start against USC this year, last year’s trend continued as he ran the ball more times (and for more yards) than he passed it. Michigan’s struggles in the pass game this year have been incredibly evident as they rank outside the top 120 nationally in several statistical categories, including passing yards per game and interceptions thrown.

If there is one positive through the air, it’s tight end Colston Loveland. The All-American leads the team in both receptions and receiving yards on the season, despite missing a game.

Top impact players: Michigan vs. Washington

Pro Football Focus previews the national championship rematch between No. 10 Michigan and Washington on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, highlighting Alex Oriji, Kalel Mullings, Jonah Coleman, and Will Rogers.

Michigan has always been a run-centric team, but this year that concept has been taken to new heights. The breakout star of the Wolverine’s season has been linebacker turned running back Kalel Mullings. Mullings has been named Michigan’s top RB after a disappointing start to the season from team captain Donovan Edwards, and Mullings has not let the team down. When games have gotten close, Michigan’s strategy has been almost exclusively using Mullings to control the clock and protect the ball. Mullings delivered the game-winning touchdown two weeks ago against ranked Big Ten foe USC in a nailbiter, 24-21, and was given the ball eight times on the drive that resulted in the game-clinching field goal against Minnesota, a 27-24 win. He averages over 100 yards and a touchdown per game, and if Michigan wants to beat Washington, Mullings will need to have a similar output.

Similar to Washington, Michigan’s offensive line is completely different from last year. All six of last year’s starters graduated or went pro, leaving a very new and relatively inexperienced line. Transfer Josh Priebe received All-Big Ten honors at Northwestern last year and serves as the anchor of this year’s O-line. Even with that addition, the unit has still gone through some growing pains as they have adjusted to the new-look Wolverine offense.

The defensive side of the ball is where the Wolverines truly shine. Michigan returned many key pieces of the championship team, mainly cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Mason Graham. Both of these players are projected top picks in next year’s NFL draft and have shown it this year. Johnson set the Michigan career record for pick-6s when he housed his second of the season against USC and is known for delivering the biggest plays in the biggest moments. Graham has also proven to be disruptive, tallying three sacks and 19 tackles on the year. Michigan’s breakout star on the defensive line this year has been defensive end Josiah Stewart. In his second year at Michigan, he leads the team with four sacks, only 1.5 shy of his season total a year ago.

Michigan Wolverines vs. Washington Huskies Game Preview

Here are a few things both sides need to do if they want to win Saturday night.

Washington’s Keys to the Game

1. The offensive line needs to step up. Michigan’s defensive features Graham and Kenneth Walker, two of the strongest defensive tackles in the country. Graham, in particular, is viewed as a potential top pick in next year’s NFL draft. While it may be nearly impossible for Washington’s struggling offensive line to completely stop the two, they need to contain them enough to give Rogers time to throw and get Coleman into space.

2. Slow down Michigan’s rushing attack. Against a team like Michigan, nearly every down can be a running down. With hard hitting linebackers such as Bruener, Washington will benefit greatly from stacking the box on defense, and trusting their corners to cover one-on-one.

3. Limit self-inflicted wounds. Washington’s discipline has shown to be an issue, with the team averaging over eight penalties a game. Penalties – and missed field goals – ended up being a major factor in the loss to Rutgers. Washington’s ability to clean up its game will be crucial in getting the defense off the field, especially against a Michigan team that loves to control the clock and run again and again.

Michigan’s Keys to the Game

1. Get pressure without blitzing. This season, Michigan has blitzed on a high percentage of defensive plays. Going up against a weak Washington line, Michigan should be able to get pressure without rushing more than four players. While the blitz will, of course, need to be a part of the playbook, Michigan getting consistent pressure on four-man rushes would give their defense a game-changing advantage.

2. Have a strong second half. In each of Michigan’s last two games, they entered halftime with a lead only to see their opponent make a strong attempt at a comeback. In last year’s perfect season, Michigan was known for their second-half defense, holding their first 10 opponents to 30 total second-half points. In the second half of their last two games, Michigan was outscored, 42-19. Against a team with explosive potential like Washington, the Michigan defense cannot let up after halftime.

3. Kalel Mullings. It’s hard to argue any one player can make or break a team, but Mullings has been that important. Against USC, he ran for 84 yards and a touchdown on the game-winning final drive. Against Minnesota, he was the one given the ball again and again to run out the clock. At this point, every opponent knows Michigan can only run the ball. No matter what they know, when Mullings is on fire, he cannot be stopped.

How to watch Michigan Wolverines vs. Fresno State Bulldogs

When: Saturday, Oct. 5
Where: Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (Pregame coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET)
Watch: Peacock and NBC

About the Author:
Ryan Thomas is a senior at the University of Michigan currently studying Film and Psychology. He writes and works on Wolv Sports Center, a series covering a variety of Michigan sports.

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Washington

Judge tosses Trump Media’s $3.8 billion defamation suit against The Washington Post | CNN Business

Published

9 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Judge tosses Trump Media’s .8 billion defamation suit against The Washington Post | CNN Business

Another one of President Donald Trump’s lawsuits against a news organization has fizzled out.

This time, it is a defamation lawsuit that the Trump Media and Technology Group brought against The Washington Post in 2023 over a story titled “Trust linked to porn-friendly bank could gain a stake in Trump’s Truth Social.”

A federal judge in Florida has thrown out the suit, saying that Trump Media “failed to present evidence that would allow a jury to find by clear and convincing evidence” that The Post “published the allegedly defamatory statements with actual malice.”

US District Judge Thomas Barber’s conclusion came during the summary judgment phase of the case, when a judge can evaluate evidence and make a determination before proceeding to trial.

The Post’s lawyers argued that Trump Media could not prove “actual malice,” the high legal standard that public figures must meet to prevail in a defamation case. It means that the defendant either knew a claim was false or displayed “reckless disregard of whether it was false or not.”

The Post’s reporter who wrote the story in question, Drew Harwell, “thoroughly investigated” the subject and “had confidence in the article’s accuracy at the time of publication,” the newspaper’s lawyers wrote.

In a summary docket entry last week, first reported by Reason magazine, Barber sided with the Post. He said he would issue a full opinion later.

The Post itself reported on the legal victory on Tuesday. “We are pleased with the court’s decision and look forward to reviewing its written order upon release,” a spokesperson told CNN.

A spokesperson for Trump Media did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment, but the company told The Post, “We believe a jury should decide whether these falsehoods were actionable and will evaluate whether to appeal last week’s ruling in due course. We will also continue to hold the media accountable.”

Trump Media positions itself as an opponent of, and an alternative to, traditional tech and media companies. It is best known for operating Truth Social, a relatively small social network favored by the president.

The publicly traded company has been losing money for years; it made less than $1 million in revenue in the first quarter of this year, according to public filings.

The company has repeatedly filed lawsuits over news coverage it deemed false. A defamation lawsuit against The Guardian and other defendants was thrown out by a different Florida judge last November. Trump Media initially filed an amended complaint, but then dropped the matter altogether in April.

Trump Media’s suit against the Post accused the newspaper of a “conspiracy” to harm the company and sought $3.8 billion in damages.

The lawsuit lawyers succeeded in narrowing the case considerably and asserted that Truth Media could not satisfy the “heavy burden” of the actual malice standard.

In May, while awaiting the judge’s ruling, The Post published a correction to the 2023 story stating that “discovery in the ongoing litigation has established” that two assertions in the story were incorrect. But the correction emphasized that the assertions were “based on The Post’s reporting at the time of publication.”

Trump and his businesses have a long history of getting publicity from lawsuits, only to see judges later throw them out.

In April, a federal judge dismissed Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over its reporting on a lewd birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein bearing his name. Trump refiled that suit in May. He also has pending litigation against the BBC, The New York Times and the Des Moines Register.

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Washington

Washington records world’s worst air quality for a city after 850,000 Fourth of July fireworks

Published

20 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Washington records world’s worst air quality for a city after 850,000 Fourth of July fireworks

Washington DC residents breathed in “unhealthy” air for hours after a 40-minute Independence Day fireworks show over the National Mall on Saturday night, with the country’s capital briefly recording the worst air quality of any major city in the world.

The highly emitting display, which the president called “spectacular”, came as the Trump administration rolls back an unprecedented number of pollution controls.

Hourly concentrations of particulate matter rose to 6.7 times their pre-fireworks levels, according to a Tuesday analysis from the company Clarity Movement based on its network of 26 air quality sensors throughout the city in partnership with the local department of energy and environment. Every one of those sensors reached air quality levels which the Environmental Protection Agency deems “unhealthy for sensitive groups” during the event, the researchers found, with some recording even worse levels of emissions.

Levels of particulate matter peaked at 4am on Sunday, approximately five hours after the display concluded, according to the new analysis. It remained elevated for approximately five hours after reaching its peak, the authors found, with city officials issuing a Code Red alert.

Smoke hangs in the air as the Independence Day fireworks launch over Washington. Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images

“Outdoor air quality is unhealthy for seniors, kids, people with medical conditions,” the alert said. “General public may experience health issues. Limit time outside.”

The south-west region of DC experienced the highest pollution levels, the report’s authors found, probably because of its proximity to one of the fireworks launch sites in West Potomac park, as well as overnight meteorological conditions that trapped smoke over the area.

That highly polluted air probably drifted into Arlington, Virginia, said David Lu, CEO and co-founder of Clarity Movement.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have sensors there to confirm it,” he said. “That’s exactly why expanding real-time air quality monitoring matters. Without comprehensive coverage, communities can be exposed to significant pollution events that go undetected.”

The air quality across the city could have been even worse in the aftermath of the display if it were not for thunderstorms that struck the city on Sunday evening.

Smoke hangs in the air as the Independence Day fireworks launch over Washington. Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images

“Despite the scale of the fireworks display, the city’s air quality avoided a worst-case scenario thanks to favorable weather conditions and the timing of the event,” said Lu.

The Fourth of July fireworks show, organized by the Trump-backed non-profit Freedom 250, began at 11pm on Saturday evening. It involved more than 850,000 fireworks launched from 10 sites across the capital, the organizers said. (A typical Independence Day show in DC involves just 17,000 shells.)

Trump on social media called the show “the Most Spectacular Fireworks Show I have ever seen, and I’ve seen them all”.

The fanfare came as the region was baking under an extreme heatwave, which brought triple-digit temperatures to the city hours earlier. For a time after the fireworks show, the city recorded the worst air quality of any major city in the world, according to AirNow, the Environmental Protection Agency website that reports air quality measurements from its monitoring stations.

Asked to comment, a White House spokesperson, Taylor Rogers, said: “It was the largest and greatest firework display in the history of our country to properly celebrate America’s 250th birthday! Every year, fireworks on the Fourth of July cause short-term spikes in air quality across the United States, including Washington, DC. This was not unique to the 250th fireworks celebrations in our nation’s capital.”

The Guardian has contacted Freedom 250 for comment.

Americans shoot nearly 300m lb of fireworks into the atmosphere every year, according to the American Lung Association, letting off lung-harming gases such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

The Trump administration has, since re-entering office, engaged in a wide-ranging assault on pollution controls, exempting polluting facilities from emissions regulations, boosting coal power, and halting the consideration of the value of lives saved when restricting fine particulate matter and ozone. On 4 July, the president also pardoned nine individuals convicted of violations related to the Clean Air Act, including people found to have tampered with emissions control equipment in cars or selling parts to bypass air pollution standards.

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Washington

Question of the week: What does Santana Moss think of Washington’s WR depth?

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2026

Press Room

Question of the week: What does Santana Moss think of Washington’s WR depth?

The Washington Commanders are looking for a bounce back performance from their offense, and they’ll need their wide receivers to take a step up to do so.

Terry McLaurin is the clear No. 1 option at the position, but after him, there are several questions about how the rest of the room will shake out. The No. 2 spot is wide open, and there are several players who could fit the role and others in David Blough’s new scheme. Analysts Santana Moss, Logan Paulsen and Fred Smoot broke down the position on one of the most recent “Command Center” podcast episodes, and as one of the franchise’s all-time best receivers, Moss had a few thoughts on the group. Here’s his assessment on three wideouts and how they could fit into the offense.

“Knowing that he can play both outside and inside, I would think with some of the guys and their size and their experience, I would mainly probably see Antonio attack that middle. I think his route running ability is already to the level of some of these guys who have already played at this level. And just showing me that you don’t look like that this is new to you … He ain’t scared to go out and compete against these guys. To me — and we don’t know anything; we’re just sitting here speculating and assuming — I’d say he’s a slot guy out the gate.”

“I think if I had to just say if I look at that paper, and I asked any coach in this building by name how they think this guy played…if you tell me that Burks played well this offseason, he would be my No. 2 out the gate. He would be my No. 2 wide receiver because one: he brings size, he brings speed, he brings a gear at that size that a lot of people ain’t comfortable checking … You got a guy with size, leaping ability, the catch radius and can run.”

“They talk about how he was one of those guys from Day 1 that could play every position, and that’s stemming from him being a quarterback. Quarterbacks learn the game a little different from just a regular skill position guy. Luke came in here, and he knew X, he knew Z, he knew Gator. When you have those intangibles and you have that kind of mindset when it comes to playing that position, they can use him where they want to use him. That’s why I said he’s a great committee guy. He’s a guy that I know I’m gonna have on special teams as a returner, and guess what? If he’s not the starter, I’m okay with that because I know I’m going to ask more of him if somebody needs to take a breather.

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