By Andrew Bailie Posted on

Huskies prepare for Oregon, as their head coach holds a presser

The Washington Huskies will finish the 2025 regular season with a border-state clash against the No. 7-ranked Oregon Ducks. When the two teams meet on Saturday, they will face each other for the 118th time. Husky head coach Jedd Fisch held his weekly presser on Monday. Fisch provided an injury update, discussed the offense and the defense, and explained how his young team is prepared for Oregon. These are the main takeaways from today’s media briefing.

The Huskies expect to have multiple players return this week

RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston sat out most of last Saturday’s game against UCLA. WR Raiden Vines-Bright also missed Saturday’s game while still in concussion protocol, after a scary injury against Purdue. With essentially an extra week of rest, the three offensive players will be ready to face the Ducks, according to Fisch.

“Yeah, I’d expect them both (Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston) to be back in a much more significant manner than they were last week. What that really, what that means, you know, I don’t know how many reps that is, but a substantial amount. I also believe that we put ourselves in a really good position with the amount of plays that Adam has played, seeing the way Adam can do it. Raiden, I was just told is clear to play. So I believe that, you know, all of these guys, Denzel, Raiden, and Jonah will all be good to go for Saturday barring any setbacks”, said Fisch.

RB Adam Mohammed has filled in admirably for Coleman, who has missed the past two weeks. Mohammed has rushed for 167 yards on 38 carries and has three rushing touchdowns in that span. Having Coleman back gives Washington a strong one-two punch in the backfield. The same can be said of Boston’s return. His presence, along with Raiden Vines-Bright, will give the Huskies a dynamic passing attack.

Huskies could have three injured linemen made available this week

RT Drew Azzopardi has been dealing with an ankle injury, which he sustained against Wisconsin. Azzopardi will practice with the team tomorrow. He is trending in the right direction to play in the game on Saturday. C Landen Hatchett is still dealing with a hand injury, which has kept him out of snapping duties at center. He will be made available to come off the bench to play guard if called upon. Zach Henning is expected to make his third straight start at center. DT Isaiah Ward will be given opportunity to play against Oregon with limited reps.

Washington’s defense continues to play outstanding football

The Huskies’ defense has been playing some dominant football. The unit has held opponents to under 200 yards passing for four consecutive games. The run defense has been equally impressive in that span, keeping opposing offenses under 3.3 yards per carry. Junior S Alex McLaughlin led the team in tackles with eight and had a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Huskies’ dominant win over the UCLA Bruins last week. According to Fisch, McLaughlin has grown into a bona fide leader.

“And I just think that Alex has done everything you could ever ask for in terms of, hey, like, I believe in myself, and he’s shown that, and it’s been super cool seeing what he’s been able to do, and I think he’s just gonna get better next year”, said Fisch.

McLaughlin has proven he can make big plays in rivalry games this year. Against Washington State, he had two interceptions, one of which was a game-changing pick-six that swung the momentum to Washington. McLaughlin will be looking to make an impact again on Saturday against Oregon.

DT Deshawn Lynch continues to shine

Another defensive leader for the Huskies this season has been Defensive lineman Deshawn Lynch. Lynch had three tackles and a forced fumble in last week’s game. He has continued to step up in the run game and make plays. Lynch has also done a fantastic job of disrupting the pass lanes and swatting passes away. He recorded his seventh pass break-up last Saturday against. Lynch leads the team in passes defensed this year.

“He’s (Deshawn Lynch) a really good athlete. He’s a really good athlete with great size, and I mean, you see some of the plays that he’s made, like his ability, his football instincts, his ability to see the ball out of quarterback’s hands. His ability to chase down a run around the back side. To drop into coverage, to win on a pass rush, I think for him, it was just, you know, reps”, said Fisch.

Huskies’ young offense ready for big challenge against the Ducks

Washington’s underclassmen have consistently found ways to contribute this season. Last week against UCLA, wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck had seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Mohammed had his first 100-yard rushing game with 108 yards on 21 carries. Sophomore QB Demond Williams Jr. continues to mature each game and has taken charge of the offense since the Huskies’ road loss at Wisconsin.

Since the loss to the Badgers, Williams has completed 33 of 45 passes for 470 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. Williams has also rushed for 79 yards and two touchdowns. The former Basha High School standout spearheaded a balanced attack and guided the young Huskies to back-to-back blowout wins. The big test for him against Oregon is to see if he can elevate his game against one of the nation’s best teams.

“I think that we learned a lot from the Wisconsin game. We have a lot of freshmen out in the field at the same time, and everything kind of was happening quickly in that situation. You know, it was colder than they’d ever had. The weather wasn’t the weather they expected, it was windier than they ever played it. You know, they’re playing all positions they hadn’t played because of injuries. They’ve been thrown into the fire with no real veteran leadership in a lot of ways. And from that game, I thought Demond took over and really grew up” said Fisch.

“He went from being a sophomore to being a better quarterback. I really believe after that game, that he was like, you know what? I can take this group, I can take these young guys, I can get going in a manner that we can, you know, spend extra time to prepare. We can get ourselves in a position where I don’t have to spend time with Denzel, but I’m going to spend time with all the young guys. I’m gonna spend time with all the running backs, all the tight ends, Decker Degraaf has had his two best games since that game. Dezmen Roebuck two best games since that game. So I think that one they all felt, Adam Mohammed same thing. That they all just kind of rose up together, and I’m not as worried”.

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