Recap of UW's first half against Michigan in national championship game

HOUSTON — All things considered, it could have been a lot worse for the Washington Huskies at the end of the first half. The Huskies are trailing 17 10 at halftime to the top ranked Wolverines in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday night. Here is a drive by drive recap of the game.

Second quarter: Jalen McMillan three yard reception touchdown from Michael Penix Jr. Michigan leads 17 10 with 42 seconds left in the quarter. Drive summary: 11 plays, 61 yards, 4:01 time of possession A gutsy drive for the Huskies, who needed a touchdown drive to give them some optimism heading into the halftime break.

Despite Michigan dominating the game for most of the half, Washington is only down one possession and they get the first ball back in the second half to try and even the score. If you were a Huskies fan panicking after the Wolverines offense looked unstoppable, you'll gladly take this scoreline.

WASHINGTON ANSWERS BEFORE THE HALF WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A GAME! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/edJOq2BL5V Second quarter: Huskies defense gets big fourth down stop with 4:43 left in the quarter. Drive summary: Six plays, 29 yards, 3:02 time of possession Could this be the momentum swing the Huskies needed? Michigan went for the juggular with a play on 4th and 2 in Huskies territory, but the secondary deflected JJ McCarthy's pass to give the offense the ball back at the end of the first half.

Second quarter: After the Huskies defense earned a quick three and out stop, Washington punts back to the Wolverines with 7:45 left in the quarter. Drive summary: Three plays, three yards, 1:05 time of possession Another missed opportunity for the Huskies, who had a chance to cut into the Wolverines' double digit lead.

Second quarter: Washington turns the ball over on downs. Michigan leads 17 3 with 10:27 left in the quarter. Drive summary: Six plays, 28 yards, 3:01 time of possession Penix Jr finally got something going on the Huskies' third drive of the game, completing two passes for 25 yards to move the ball near Wolverines territory.

But Michigan's defense tightened and the Huskies faced a 4th and 7 on the Wolverines 47 yard line. Instead of a difficult punt, Washington was aggressive and tried for a fourth down conversion. The Huskies' fourth down play created plenty of space for wide receiver Rome Odunze, regarded as one of the best receivers in the country, but Penix Jr threw to the junior's wrong shoulder, so he had to turn his body to track the football and lose momentum.

The ball batted helplessly off Odunze's hands and the Huskies turned the ball over. If Penix Jr. had made an accurate throw to Odunze, it could have been a much needed touchdown for the trailing Huskies. Washington turnover on downs! Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze can't connect on the deep pass.

#NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/oo3bBV8xgQ Second quarter: Michigan converts 31 yard field goal. Michigan leads 17 3 with 13:28 left in the quarter. Drive summary: Five plays, 65 yards, 1:53 time of possession Michigan began its third possession of the game with a 59 yard run from Blake Corum, the Wolverines' third rush of over 40 yards in the half.

The first bit of good news came from the Huskies' response, forcing the Wolverines to settle for a field goal. The Wolverines have scored on all three of its possessions in the game. First quarter: Michigan's Donovan Edwards scores 46 yard rushing touchdown. Michigan leads 14 3 with 2:23 left in the quarter.

Drive summary: Four plays, 86 yards, 1:33 time of possession Deja vu for the Huskies, who allowed Edwards to break free for his second rushing touchdown of the game. The junior has already totaled 87 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter. SO NICE HE HAD TO DO IT TWICE Donovan Edwards with his SECOND TD of the night #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/HiaSyzfTLb First quarter: Washington converts 25 yard field goal.

Michigan leads 7 3 with 3:56 left in the quarter. Drive summary: 14 plays, 67 yards, 6:18 time of possession The two teams have traded long drives to begin the game, the difference being that the Wolverines punched in a touchdown while the Huskies stalled out in the red zone. Washington had a scare early with running back Dillon Johnson exiting with an injury, but he returned to finish the drive.

The Huskies offense was balanced (seven passes, six carries) on a drive that ended in three points. First quarter: Edwards scores 41 yard rushing touchdown. Michigan leads 7 0 with 10:14 left in the quarter. Drive summary: Eight plays, 84 yards, 4:46 time of possession This was an old fashioned smashmouth possession for the Wolverines, who deployed three different running backs on the drive.

Michigan ran on six of eight plays, generating 66 rushing yards and five first downs before Edwards broke free for the game's first touchdown. DONOVAN EDWARDS OPENS THE SCORING FOR MICHIGAN #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/TIaUfkNlZU.