If Washington is going to succeed, Demond Williams needs to have a high usage rate as both a passer and runner. He is at his best when he’s on the move, and the Huskies are as well. That’s my primary takeaway from Washington’s frustrating, but earned, season-opening Apple Cup victory.
On the one hand, Washington’s performance for most of the afternoon was frustrating because it looked as lethargic as it had at times in the previous two seasons. On the other hand, if you watched other Week 1 games,
there were a handful of victorious teams that looked stuck in the mud. None of which battled their in-state rival.
There’s a reason Nick Saban referred to headlines as rat poison. Washington was highly regarded throughout the offseason. It kicked off the season with a shiny No. 17 next to its name and is led by a quarterback who many believe could be a Heisman Trophy finalist. Overall, the consensus is that Washington is the popular pick to be 2027’s sleeper team. Those elements added to the discomfort of UW’s slow start.
Though it eventually gave up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Washington’s defense was sensational. It shot itself in the foot by picking up unnecessary penalties, but overall it was dominant. Defensive backs Jeron Jones and Alex McLaughlin both logged interceptions while Isaiah Ward forced a fumble, then recovered it. Washington would’ve had four takeaways, but Rylon Dillard-Allen picked up a questionable targeting penalty after thumping Wazzu quarterback Caden Pinnick.
Speaking of penalties, UW must be better in that area, without question. Washington racked up 130 penalty yards to Wazzu’s 50. Washington had 12 fewer penalty yards than Pinnick had passing.
Finnick eventually found success in the fourth quarter, as did Williams. Williams’ best drive of the evening came directly after Washington State trimmed UW’s lead to 10-7.
It was as if he could sense the danger zone that the Huskies had suddenly fallen into and responded by engineering a 75-yard drive in just four plays. Rashid Williams was his target of choice on the drive as he hauled in a 44-yard gain and scored from one yard out to put UW up 17-7. Williams finished with three catches for 74 yards and the touchdown.
Washington State answered with a field goal, and Demond Williams stayed hot. His best play of the evening came on the ensuing drive when, on third and nine, he slammed on the brakes and raced for a 21-yard gain. Before Wazzu could catch their breath, Williams and Chris Lawson connected on a 35-yard pickup. Lawson was UW’s leading receiver as he logged 87 yards on four catches.
The drive was capped off by Oregon transfer running back Jayden Limar, who found the end zone from 11 yards out. Limar’s status will need to be monitored moving forward, as he walked off the field with an apparent arm injury later in the quarter.
It was ugly for the majority of the evening. UW’s offense looked unenthusiastic, unprepared, and unsure of itself. But it has never opened the season against Apple Cup, so there wasn’t a typical cupcake to beat the irrational confidence out of. And if there’s one thing you should never do in college football, it’s take a win over a rival for granted.
Washington has plenty of work to do. Washington is also 1-0 with the state’s most coveted trophy still in its possession. Up next, Washington hosts Utah State, which just lost to Idaho State Saturday. Afterward, Washington hosts Eastern Washington. Those two games should be the blowout victories Husky Nation was looking for.
