By Andrew Bailie Posted on

Huskies beat Rutgers 38-19, as Demond Williams has record game

When the Huskies took on the Scarlet Knights at Husky Stadium, they were looking for a better start than their previous two games. They had been outscored 20-3 against Ohio State and Maryland. UW once again found themselves playing from behind in the first half against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights started this game fresh off a bye and gave the Huskies problems early.

The Huskies’ first-half woes continue

Rutgers took the ball on the first drive of the game and went right down the field for a touchdown. Behind a big 55-yard run from RB Antwan Raymond, the Scarlet Knights’ offense was in business early. Two plays later, QB Athan Kaliakmanis hit KJ Duff for a 20-yard touchdown pass. To put Rutgers ahead 7-0 at the beginning of the first quarter. The Huskies responded with a good drive of their own, which stalled at the Scarlet Knights’ 21. Unfortunately, Grady Gross missed a 39-yard field goal, and the score remained 7-0 Rutgers. UW continued to struggle on offense on their next two possessions, as they were unable to convert on any of their three third downs to start the game.

UW’s defense once again holds its own

While UW’s offense struggled to generate offense early, the defense continued to bend, but not break. The Huskies’ defense kept the Scarlet Knights out of the end zone for the rest of the first half. Forcing Rutgers to settle for a field goal on each of their next two drives. The Scarlet Knights’ kicker, Jai Patel, made his first kick from 35 yards out. UW’s defense then forced a huge three-and-out following a short punt on the next drive, which gave Rutgers great field position. Patel then missed a field goal from 45 yards away.

UW’s offense finds a little footing in the second quarter

Following a great punt from punter Luke Dunne, the Huskies’ defense forced a three-and-out. QB Demond Williams then took UW on an impressive three-play, 50-yard touchdown drive. Finding his favorite target, WR Denzel Boston, for a 23-yard TD pass. After the defense made a huge fourth-down stop in the red zone, the Huskies appeared primed for another scoring drive, as they moved the ball downfield. Unfortunately, Williams fumbled on a scramble at the two-yard line and Rutgers recovered.

UW’s defense again bends but doesn’t break, giving offense a chance to score to end the half

After Kaliakmanis hit two big passes for 34 yards and 42 yards, UW’s defense stiffened in the red zone. DL Ta’iTa’i Uiagalelei came up with a huge sack on third down and 15 to force Rutgers to kick a field goal. The Huskies’ offense had 39 seconds to move the ball downfield before the end of the half. Demond Williams found WR Omari Evans for 13 yards, then hit WR Raiden Vines-Bright for a big 30-yard pass over the middle. He then found Dezmen Roebuck for a 14-yard catch to put the Huskies in field goal range at the Rutgers 18. Grady Gross connected on a 36-yard field goal to pull UW within three at the half, 13-10.

The Huskies’ offense starts the second half with a bang

Demond Williams came out of the locker room fired up. He nailed Raiden Vines-Bright for 13 yards, then on the next play he found Dezmen Roebuck for a massive 59-yard catch and run. The pass to Roebuck set the Huskies up with a first and goal from the three. Two plays later, RB Jonah Coleman rumbled in for a one-yard touchdown run, giving the Huskies their first lead of the game. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Williams went back to work. Finding Denzel Boston for a 38-yard touchdown strike to put UW up double digits, 24-13.

Huskies’ QB Demond Williams shows why he is a Superstar

After Rutgers pulled to within five points, UW’s sophomore quarterback responded with a touchdown drive of his own. Demond Williams was unreal as he scampered into the end zone on third and eight for an 11-yard rushing touchdown. He then added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Williams was unfazed and unstoppable as he led the Huskies to a 38-19 victory. This is what head coach Jedd Fisch said about his quarterback’s unbelievable performance after the game:

“I thought Demond Williams is a superstar. And the fact that he had, from what I understand, the all-time total offense record, of 538 yards, at the University of Washington, the fact that he’s the first person at the University of Washington to have over 400 yards passing and over 100 yards rushing and the 16th person in the history of college football to do that.”

Demond Williams finished 21/27 for 402 yards passing, had two passing touchdowns, 136 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. He put up insane numbers and showed phenomenal poise again, as the Huskies overcame an early 10-0 deficit to win. This is what Williams had to say about the early struggles and then his incredible performance after the game:

“Yeah, I mean, we just started off shaky, you know, I don’t think there’s any real reasoning for that. I would just say, we just have to, you know, keep focusing on starting faster. Yeah, I mean, I rushed for 100 yards a few times in high school, but I would say just taking what the defense is giving me and you know, you could tell their main focus was Jonah. So, being able to pull some of them zone reads, you know, just get as many yards as I could, was definitely pivotal to us.”

Williams’ ability to pull the ball from RB Jonah Coleman and run was insanely effective against Rutgers tonight. The Huskies’ quarterback was amazed at how crazy his numbers were after the game. Only 15 other players have done what Demond Williams did tonight. He’s the first Husky QB to accomplish what he did, running and throwing the football. The Huskies will continue to rely on Williams to carry them as far as he can take them this year.

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