SEATTLE — In a pivotal Friday night matchup, Demond Williams Jr. stepped in as starting quarterback for the Washington Huskies, leading the team to a crucial 31-19 victory over UCLA. This win marked Washington’s sixth of the season, securing their eligibility for a bowl game.
Jonah Coleman contributed significantly to the Huskies’ success, rushing for 95 yards and scoring two touchdowns as the team improved their record to 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the Big Ten. Williams orchestrated three key scoring drives after taking over for Will Rogers, who started the game but struggled in the second half. Williams’ performance included a critical 2-yard touchdown pass to Decker DeGraaf, which effectively clinched the win with just under six minutes left in the game.
Rogers had put the Huskies ahead 14-13 at halftime but was removed from the game after throwing two interceptions early in the second half. The Washington defense played a vital role, making significant plays and converting turnovers into 10 points, contributing to the overall team victory.
Under the guidance of defensive coach Steve Belichick, the Huskies’ defense was relentless, forcing and recovering two fumbles while sacking UCLA’s quarterback Ethan Garbers six times. These defensive efforts included critical stops on both third and fourth downs, thwarting UCLA’s late attempts to come back into the game.
When Rogers left the game, he had completed 13 of 21 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, though he struggled with interceptions, one of which was a result of a miscommunication with his receiver. Williams took the reins admirably, completing 7 of 8 passes for 67 yards, in addition to rushing for 31 yards.
Defensive standout Russell Davis II helped set the tone early on, recording sacks that led to advantageous field position for the Huskies. One of his sacks led to a short punt, allowing Washington to capitalize and score their first touchdown. Another crucial play from Davis resulted in a strip sack and a fumble recovery to push the score to 14-3. Although Rogers was later intercepted in the end zone, he was given another opportunity to score after a roughing the passer penalty negated a UCLA interception. He capitalized on that chance with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Keleki Latu.
For UCLA, Garbers completed 27 out of 44 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Bruins struggled significantly with their running game, averaging just 1.6 yards per carry. Garbers’ ability to convert on third downs, successfully completing 10 of 19 attempts, kept UCLA in the game longer than it might have been otherwise.
Looking ahead, UCLA still has a chance to secure a bowl game with upcoming matchups, but improvements will be needed, particularly in their offensive strategy. Meanwhile, Washington’s victory not only secures their bowl eligibility but also instills confidence as they prepare for tougher challenges on their schedule.
Next up for UCLA, they face their rival USC at home on November 23, while Washington will conclude their season against top-ranked Oregon on November 30.