Smith was hired by former athletic director Alan Haller in November 2024 as a rising star who rebooted his alma mater, Oregon State. The Pac-12’s demise played a role in leaving his West Coast roots for East Lansing and picking up the pieces after the messy end of the Mel Tucker era.

Demond Williams Jr. overcame a 9-yard loss on a sack by Derrick Moore by throwing a 31-yard pass to Raiden Vines-Bright. That gave the Huskies the ball on the Wolverines' 11-yard line. Three plays later Jonah Coleman ran one yard for the touchdown. With 2:04 remaining in the half, Washington is driving.