SEATTLE — No. 19 Washington escaped a second straight early-game scare Saturday, edging Utah State 16-14 as freshman running back Ansu Sanoe punched in his first career touchdown and the Huskies held on in a game defined by offensive inconsistency and personnel concerns.
Slow start, late production
Sanoe finished an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a one-yard dive into the end zone with 6:44 remaining in the second quarter, accounting for Washington's lone touchdown. A 26-yard field goal by Tyler Robles early in the fourth quarter pushed the Huskies' advantage to six points, and Washington's defense made a goal-line interception as time expired to preserve the victory.
“We’re glad that we have a victory, and we have a lot to learn,” said head coach Jedd Fisch. “That’s two weeks in a row that we’re sitting here (needing) to learn a lot.”
Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. completed 26 of 41 passes for 249 yards and added 56 rushing yards. The performance made Williams the third quarterback in Washington program history to reach 1,000 career rushing yards, joining Marques Tuiasosopo and Jake Locker.
Offense hampered by injuries and limited rushing
Washington's ground game struggled. Freshman Brian Bonner made his first career start at tailback and totaled 22 yards on seven carries; Trey Cooley also finished with 22 rushing yards. Top running backs Quaid Carr and Jayden Limar were unavailable after injuries sustained last week in the Apple Cup.
Coach Fisch acknowledged shortcomings in the running attack. “Not good enough,” he said. He added that the staff will need to improve the rushing production while managing the injuries that have reduced depth.
The injury outlook includes Carr undergoing surgery on his left hand and being sidelined until at least the end of the season. Limar, who transferred from Oregon and suffered a right elbow injury, could return sooner, the team said.
Utah State's new starter makes his mark
Utah State, now 0-2, started transfer Grady Brosterhous from Virginia. He threw for 196 yards and rushed for 81 as the Aggies stayed competitive throughout. Brosterhous connected with Eli Wood on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 1:50 left to pull Utah State within two points.
The Aggies recovered the ball late and had one final chance with 47 seconds remaining, but Washington's defense sealed the contest with the interception at the goal line as the clock expired.
Key statistics
| Stat | Washington | Utah State |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 16 | 14 |
| Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. | 26-41, 249 yards; 56 rushing yards | — |
| Utah State QB Grady Brosterhous | — | 196 passing, 81 rushing |
What this means for the Huskies
Washington improved to 2-0, but consecutive games of sluggish offensive starts have raised questions about consistency and depth. The team turned to freshmen and backups in the backfield, and the coaching staff will face pressure to get the running game functioning while dealing with injuries to Carr and Limar.
- Washington must shore up its rushing attack after two underwhelming performances.
- Health of starting running backs will shape the team's offensive plans going forward.
- Defensive plays late in the game preserved the win despite offensive challenges.
After the game, Williams referenced a contrast between the team's performance in spring practice and the early-season results. “In fall camp, we were clicking all the time,” he said. “Definitely a little bit of a shock, but I think we’re going to bounce back.”
Washington now turns focus to its next opponent and how the staff will adapt the game plan to account for injuries and limited rushing options. For a program used to higher offensive production, Saturday's finish underscored the narrow margin between victory and a damaging early-season loss.
Reporting from Seattle.
