Letuligasenoa Is Key to Stopping Michigan Run game In Final Husky Outing
HOUSTON — When the Washington Huskies take on Michigan in the CFP national championship game on Monday night, they will emphasize stopping the Wolverines' fearsome run game.
They'll need to find a way to limit the potential damage done by running back Blake Corum, who has put together 1,111 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns this season — and who ran for 171 yards and 3 scores against the Huskies in 2021.
To counter Corum, Washington's defense will turn to sixth-year senior defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa in the middle to get in his way.
Letuligasenoa has been key for Washington's front seven this year against the run and, in his final college football game, he'll need to be at his best to help secure the national championship for the Huskies.
While Washington's defense has struggled at times this season, it has shown it can make a play in a big moment. A lot of that starts in the middle with Letuligasenoa, who has commanded significant attention from opposing offensive lines.
"I think Washington's defense is really underrated," ESPN analyst Greg McElroy said during Saturday's media day. "They've played some high-powered offenses in the Pac-12 so their numbers have been a little inflated this year.
"I believe the team that holds up best along the offensive line will be the team that ultimately has success because there are take-over-the-game guys on both defenses and a sack fumble or a tipped pass interception could be the difference in this game."
While Letuligasenoa isn't known as a prolific pass rusher, having recorded just 2 sacks over his Husky career, he still has the ability to be a game-wrecker in the middle of the defense and disrupt Michigan's offensive line.
He's hard to move off his spot when defending the run and has created opportunities for his teammates to finish off plays all season. With everything on the line, he's going to need to be at his best one last time.
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