By Andrew Bailie Posted on

Huskies prepare for LA Bowl against Boise State

The Washington Huskies will travel to Los Angeles to face the Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium on Saturday. This is the third time the Huskies have faced the Broncos in a bowl game. The last time the two teams met was in the 2023 regular-season opener for Huskies. The Dawgs won the game 56-19 and it began their National Championship run. Washington’s head coach held a press conference ahead of his team’s bowl game this weekend. Jedd Fisch provided an injury update, discussed his game plan for the LA Bowl, and talked about the significance of the game at Monday’s media briefing.

The Huskies have all their players available this week

Washington’s head coach says each of his players has committed to playing in this weekend’s game. With the Huskies playing the first bowl game of the postseason, there is less time for opt-outs. Playing an early bowl also allows players to have a shorter continuation of the season and gives them more time off after the game. On top of having every player committed to playing in the LA Bowl, the Huskies come into Saturday mostly healthy:

“Jacob Manu will play, but that one obviously it doesn’t count against his redshirt, so he will play. Outside of that, I think we’re expecting everybody to be back and ready to go, and I hope Tacario Davis, still waiting to see if his hamstring is up to par or not to be able to play”, said Fisch.

LB Jacob Manu can play in the LA Bowl because postseason games do not affect his redshirt status for this year. Senior CB Tacario Davis missed the Oregon game due to a hamstring injury. However, Fisch is hoping Davis can return to action this week against Boise State. WR Denzel Boston and RB Jonah Coleman were still recovering from injuries against the Ducks, but are in better shape now. Both Boston and Coleman are expected to be fully healthy and ready to go for the LA Bowl.

The Huskies want to have a balanced attack against the Broncos

Washington must establish the run in this game because Boise State has a tough pass defense. The Broncos allow just 171.5 passing yards a game (13th best in the nation) and have nine interceptions (tied for 11th in the country). Running the ball will be crucial for the Huskies to take the pressure off QB Demond Williams. Away from Husky Stadium, Williams has thrown six interceptions, whereas at home, he has just two interceptions this season. Washington has found success running the football in the last three games of the season:

“You know, we ran the ball, I think 33 times against Oregon or something to that effect for 150. I think we ran the ball really well against Purdue and UCLA. Both of those games were, I think, plus 200 yards or close to it. We need to do that. That’s what our offense is really balanced and built on right now as we go into next off-season, we’ll see what it’s going to take for us to take the next step. But right now, where we’re at is, you know, running the football is at a premium. And you know, a healthier Jonah, a very healthy Adam, a healthy Jordan, puts us in a much better position, and Demond, to be able to get a bunch of yards on the ground we hope”, said Fisch.

Although Boise State is strong against the pass, the Broncos have struggled this season against the run. Allowing 164.8 yards per game on the ground in 2025. In the last three games, the Huskies have rushed for an average of 192.7 yards a game. Establishing the run early in this week’s game will give them a dual threat. Against Purdue and UCLA, Washington had a balanced attack. Throwing for over 200 yards and running for over 200 yards in each game. The Huskies also scored 49 points against the Boilermakers and 48 points against the Bruins. Having a balanced attack on Saturday will be crucial to beating Boise State.

Washington’s players soaking in LA Bowl moment

For the Huskies, playing in the LA Bowl gives their players the chance to play in an NFL Stadium for the first time. Senior RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston will also have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts. Younger players such as sophomore RB Adam Mohammed and freshman WR Dezmen Roebuck are going to soak in the moment as well. Jedd Fisch talked about how exciting playing in the same stadium as the LA Rams and LA Chargers is for his players:

“Yeah, I think that’s one of the coolest things about this game, I told our team yesterday at the banquet. Tonight, the Eagles are playing the Chargers at SoFi. Next Sunday, the Lions are playing the Rams at SoFi. We’re sandwiched in the middle of that. And if you can’t appreciate or be excited about the fact that you’re walking on the same field that Justin Herbert’s walking on, that Jalen Hurts is walking on, that Matthew Stafford’s walking on, if you’re not excited about walking on that the general managers are looking at, you know, all these players and you’re on that field, then you’re missing the opportunity of, you know, doing something super cool, which is playing in an NFL stadium in NFL locker rooms, and hope one day you know, I told the guys look up on that jumbotron and hope on day to be a participant in the game,” said Fisch.

The fact that Washington is playing on an NFL field for the LA Bowl is an added incentive for players to play. Playing at 5 pm in primetime on a Saturday as the only college football game is a benefit as well. The entire nation’s attention will be on the Huskies and Broncos when these two teams meet this weekend. The LA Bowl will be the culmination of all the work Washington’s players have put in throughout the year. With a win over Boise State, the Huskies can finish the season with nine wins, a three-win improvement from last season to this one.

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