This year at LGHL, the day before Ohio State games we are trying something a little different. “3 & Out” is going to inform you on the upcoming opponent for the Buckeyes. By the name, you probably could
tell we are going to handle things in threes.
Along with highlighting three key players from Ohio State’s opponents, we will shed some light on three things the Buckeyes have to be wary of, and close things out by having a little fun by mentioning three notable alumni or facts from the school that’ll be matching up with Ohio State.
Ohio State and Washington will square off on Saturday in Seattle, marking the 13th all-time meeting between the two programs. The Buckeyes hold a 9-3 advantage in the series, winning the last four matchups. The latest of those games was the 2019 Rose Bowl, which Ohio State won 28-23.
Who do the Buckeyes have to keep their eyes on? What does Ohio State have to be wary of? We’ll try and answer these questions, as well as note some interesting connections between the two schools, followed by a score prediction at the end.
1st down
Players to watch for Washington
1) Demond Williams Jr.
The Washington quarterback has started the season hot, throwing for six touchdowns, along with adding 220 yards and two scores on the ground. The sophomore ranks third in the country in yards per attempt, fifth in total offense, and sixth in completion percentage.
Williams is undoubtedly the most dynamic quarterback the Buckeyes have faced so far this year with his ability to throw and run.
Last time out Ohio State was tasked with trying to corral Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro. No offense to Navarro but Williams presents a lot of the same challenges that Navarro did but Williams is a lot more athletic.
Last year Williams was thrown into the fire as a freshman in the second half of the season, replacing Will Rogers. Williams closed out the season by throwing for 374 yards and totaling five touchdowns in a 35-34 loss to Louisville in the Sun Bowl.
2) Jonah Coleman
It wouldn’t be crazy to call the running back of the Huskies the best running back in the country so far this year. Through three games, Coleman has rushed for 317 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 150 yards and another score. With his 10 touchdowns and 60 points, Coleman is leading the country in touchdowns and points.
While Williams brings youthful energy to the Washington offense, Coleman has a ton of experience to lean on. After rushing for 871 yards and five touchdowns at Arizona in 2023, Coleman followed head coach Jedd Fisch to Washington following the season.
In his first season in Seattle, Coleman racked up 1,053 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
3) Alex McLaughlin
The Washington safety is coming off the best game of his career, picking off two passes, returning one for a score in the win over Washington State last week. The junior is tied with linebacker Deven Bryant for the team lead with 16 tackles so far this season.
In the opener against Colorado State, McLaughlin notched a career-high eight tackles.
Saturday is going to provide a challenge greater than McLaughlin has seen so far this season. The secondary of the Huskies will be tasked with trying to slow down Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and the group of tight ends the Buckeyes will throw at them.
If McLaughlin can make a similar impact as he did against Washington State, this week’s game could be closer than expected.
Second down
What Ohio State has to be wary of
1) Don’t be flustered by the atmosphere
When it’s rocking, Husky Stadium can be one of the loudest venues in the country. Just ask Michigan, who came to Seattle as defending champions and lost 27-17 to the Huskies.
Granted, Michigan wasn’t the top-ranked team in the country at the time, but it still shows how tough it is to beat Washington at their place.
Julian Sayin has been great in his first three starts this season. How many quarterbacks can say the beat the number one ranked team in the country in their first collegiate start? This week presents a new challenge as it’ll be his first road start.
It’ll be interesting to see early on just where Sayin’s nerves are at. If Sayin drives the Buckeyes down the field on their first possession, it just might not be Washington’s day.
2) Can’t be rusty
Having a week off can be a gift and a curse.
After three non-conference games, the Buckeyes were able to recharge their batteries ahead of conference play. Then again, not seeing live action, as well as having to travel across the country can lead to a sleepy start.
How Ohio State comes out of the gates is going to tell a lot about how the game is going to go.
Even in their last game against Ohio, the Buckeyes were rather underwhelming in the first half. The Bobcats put a scare into Ohio State with an early second half touchdown before Ryan Day’s team got their act together. They can’t afford to do the same against a Huskies squad that has a lot more pop on offense.
The Buckeyes need to come out sharp, take control early, and erase any hope from the Washington faithful of an upset.
3) Avoid the mistakes
Sometimes you just need to keep things simple.
A couple things that were working against the Buckeyes against Ohio were turnovers and penalties. Julian Sayin threw two interceptions, while the team committed six penalties. Ohio State was able to get away with those mistakes against the Bobcats but they won’t fly against Washington.
Unlike Ohio, who doesn’t have the offensive firepower to capitalize on the mistakes, Washington can make the Buckeyes pay for their miscues. Giving Williams, Coleman, and the rest of the Washington offense short fields is a recipe for an upset.
Also, Ohio State will have to keep their composure in what is sure to be a raucous environment in Seattle.
Third down
Fun Ohio State-Washington connections
1) Scottie Graham
The current running backs coach for Washington is Scottie Graham, who started for three years at running back for the Buckeyes before being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 1992 NFL Draft.
Graham would go on to spend time with the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and Cincinnati Bengals before retiring.
Graham finished his Ohio State career with 1,740 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns over four years. His best season came in his sophomore year when he racked up 924 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
The former Buckeye running back was the associate athletic director at Arizona State from 2014 to 2020 before diving into coaching as running backs coach on Fisch’s staff at Arizona in 2021, holding the position until 2023 when he followed Fisch to Washington.
2) Pat Chun
This name is familiar to Buckeye fans since the current Washington athletic director started his career as an assistant SID in the Ohio State sports information department in the late 1990s.
Before departing Columbus in 2012 to become the athletic director at Florida Atlantic, Chun held the position of executive associate athletic director overseeing football.
Following six years at Florida Atlantic, Chun became the athletic director at Washington State from 2018 to 2024 before taking the same position with the rival of the Cougars. Now Chun is in his second year at Washington.
After Gene Smith announced his retirement, Chun was looked at as a candidate to fill the vacancy because of his time at Ohio State in the past. Instead, Ohio State decided to hire Ross Bjork from Texas A&M.
Surely Chun and Bjork will exchange pleasantries on Saturday when the Buckeyes and Huskies battle.
3) Karen Holbrook
Even though this name might not be popular with many Buckeyes fans, we still have to recognize the former Ohio State president as a graduate of the University of Washington. Holbrook took over for William Kirwan and served from 2002 to 2007 before announcing she would leave the university when her five-year contract was up.
Holbrook was just beginning her tenure in 2002 when riots after the Ohio State-Michigan game erupted following the win by the Buckeyes to send them to the national title game. Apparently Holbrook wasn’t a fan of the car flipping and “absolute drunken orgies” that she said were happening at the school.
& out
Prediction: 35-20, Ohio State
Go Bucks!
