With backup quarterback Elijah Brown expected to make his first start for the Washington Huskies on Friday night against Purdue, Jedd Fisch's offense will likely look much different than it has under Demond Williams Jr. While having to start a player who lacks first-team reps, especially at the quarterback position, is never a good thing, the former Stanford Cardinal showed a few glimpses of what he can do in last week's 41-24 loss to Iowa, finishing with 251 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Here are a few keys to success for Brown on Friday night in West Lafayette, Indiana.
1. Make Easy Completions Early
It won't take much from the backup signal caller to surpass what the Huskies have done in opening periods this season. Ranking No. 119 in average first-quarter points per game, Fisch's
team has gone three-and-out on five of their six opening possessions this season.
While early points would certainly ease the nerves for a quarterback making his first Big Ten start on the road, a few simple completions would go a long way. With Brown being much more of a pocket passer than his predecessor, Fisch will have to give his new field general opportunities to get the ball out of his hands early and often. Given the speed and athleticism of UW's young receiving corps, allowing the playmakers on the outside to get the ball in their hands quickly could go a long way for the inexperienced QB.
2. Punts Are Better Than Picks
Part of playing Big Ten football is being able to punt. Field position has been a major killer for Washington's offense, as it has been backed up against their own goal line numerous times in all three conference games. Does this mean empty possessions are a success? Not necessarily, but it's better than a turnover on your own side of the field, which the Huskies have done three times in conference play.
Senior punter Hunter Green has also proven to be a weapon on special teams, averaging over 47 yards per attempt, including 12 punts over 50 yards and nine that have landed inside the opposing 20-yard line. With the defense's ability to create turnovers and generate pressure, being able to move the ball far enough to flip field position could become an underrated aspect of Friday's contest.
3. Trust Your Playmakers
The wide receiver room has been one of the few highlights of the offense this season. Led by sophomore Dezmen Roebuck, the group features a young rotation of wideouts led by fourth-year Rashid Williams, sophomore Chris Lawson, and a trio of freshmen in Jordan Clay, Trez Davis, and Mason James. Second-year tight end Baron Naone also looks like a rising star for the Huskies' passing attack.
The numbers won't show any staggering, but the film suggests position coach Kevin Cummings' unit is more than capable of making plays downfield. With Roebuck being the only returning starter from last season, the growth of Lawson and the trio of four-star freshmen has been a silver lining in what has otherwise been a lackluster passing game thus far. Rather than trying to play hero ball, all the offense will need from Brown is to let his playmakers, well, make plays.
With little to no momentum entering the second conference road game of the year, Washington will have to rely on a new face to help lead them to victory.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Keys to Success for Washington Football QB Elijah Brown vs. Purdue
