LiveRecap: Huskies rally behind Demond Williams Jr. to dramatic win at Nebraska

by · The Seattle Times

The prevailing storyline coming into tonight’s game for the Huskies was the quarterback. And after a long defensive battle in Lincoln, Neb., one quarterback made quite a mark.

After he was inserted late at quarterback, Demond Williams Jr. sparked a dramatic go-ahead touchdown drive and the Huskies shocked Nebraska on the road. A pick-six by Alex McLaughlin two offensive plays later sealed a wild victory.

With 10 minutes remaining, the Cornhuskers got as close as the UW 5-yard line before the Husky defense forced a field goal — that went wide right.

After Elijah Brown started and played under center for three-plus quarters, UW swapped Williams in to spark the offense. His first drive led to a punt, though.

The third quarter went much like the first half: UW and Nebraska traded punts back-and-forth.

The Cornhuskers found the end zone late in the first quarter, and the Huskies finally got on the board with a season-long 50-yard field goal with 41 seconds left in the first half.

A big question was answered on the Huskies’ first possession: Brown got the start at quarterback again for Washington.

But Brown and the UW offense weren’t able to make either interception count, with two punts and just one first down on their first two drives. The Huskies punted on their ensuing two drives, as well.

Rylon Dillard-Allen and Emmanuel Karnley came down with the interceptions for the Huskies.

Check back for more postgame coverage below.

Key Updates

KEY UPDATE

| 8:40 pm
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Demond Williams Jr. leads Washington Huskies to dramatic win vs. Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. — For three quarters, Jedd Fisch saw his offense struggle fruitlessly. 

Led by junior quarterback Elijah Brown — making his second start of the season — the Huskies watched as punter Hunter Green was called upon drive after drive to launch punts into the Nebraska night sky. 

So Fisch finally made a change. Enter Demond Williams Jr. With four minutes remaining, the embattled junior quarterback got his chance to win the game. 

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—Andy Yamashita

KEY UPDATE

| 8:30 pm
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Final: Huskies 17, Nebraska 10

After he was inserted late at quarterback, Demond Williams Jr. sparked a dramatic go-ahead touchdown drive and the Huskies shocked Nebraska on the road.

UW trailed from the first quarter until Williams' touchdown pass to Chris Lawson with 1:30 left gave the Huskies the lead — and a pick-six by Alex McLaughlin two offensive plays later sealed a wild victory.

—Chris Cole

KEY UPDATE

| 8:26 pm
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McLaughlin extends lead with pick-six

Washington didn't hold a lead tonight until 1:30 remained, but suddenly the Huskies have a 10-point advantage after safety Alex McLaughlin picked off Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown.

A wild turn of events in Lincoln.

17-7 Washington | 1:15 4Q

—Kyle Nabors

KEY UPDATE

| 8:19 pm
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Huskies take lead in dramatic fashion

And just like that the Huskies suddenly have their first lead of the night.

After Chris Lawson hauled in a spectacular 24-yard catch along the sideline on fourth-and-18, Demond Williams Jr. and Lawson connect again for a 25-yard touchdown, stunning the Nebraska crowd.

10-7 Washington | 1:30 4Q

—Kyle Nabors
8:03 pm
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Replay review

The Big Ten deserves a huge kudos for allowing cameras into the league’s replay center while officials try to figure out calls on the field.

UW safety Alex McLaughlin crushed receiver Jacory Barney Jr. on a big hit, which drew a late targeting penalty.

After a lengthy review and robust conversation, officials ruled McLaughlin used his shoulder and never made contact with Barney’s helmet before overturning the call.

Instead of a first down, Nebraska (again) punted back to the Huskies.

—Percy Allen

KEY UPDATE

| 7:48 pm
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Demond Williams Jr. enters

After watching Washington's offense punt three times to start the second half, Jedd Fisch is making a change at quarterback.

Demond Williams Jr., who played just one snap during the first half, is into the game.

—Andy Yamashita
7:47 pm
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Cornhuskers boot FG wide right

Nebraska marched 66 yards on 14 plays, but the Cornhuskers come up empty as Kyle Cunanan's 36-yard field-goal attempt sails wide right.

Nebraska had first-and-goal at Washington's 10-yard line, but the Huskies forced back-to-back incompletions before sacking quarterback Anthony Colandrea for an 8-yard loss on third down to set up the field-goal try.

7-3 Nebraska | 10:01 4Q

—Kyle Nabors
7:34 pm
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Third-quarter impressions

Do you like defense and punting?

Hope so, because that’s been the highlights of this game.

Washington trails 7-3.

Here’s a few thoughts.

— Washington has gained 1 rushing yard on 11 carries. Elijah Brown has been sacked twice for minus-16 yards, but UW’s running game still hasn’t been very good.

Brian Bonner has 13 yards on four carries and Jayden Limar has 11 yards on two carries.

— In a decision he may regret, coach Jedd Fisch chose to punt rather than attempt to convert on fourth-and-one at the UW 39 with 3:55 left. With the offense on the sideline, Hunter Green boomed a punt 44 yards to the Nebraska 17.

— Hello, Gavin Day. The first-year safety made a nice play when he dived to deflect a pass from quarterback Anthony Colandrea that was intended for receiver Kwazi Gilmer.

— Punter Hunter Green is averaging 49.9 yards on seven punts.

— Washington has contained Colandrea, who has 157 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions on 53% passing.

—Percy Allen
7:19 pm
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Trading punts

Three total drives and three punts so far in the second half.

Washington, which faced a fourth-and-1 at its own 39 on its second possession of the half, elected to punt instead of keeping its offense on the field for a fourth-down try.

The two sides have combined for 63 yards on 19 plays so far in the third quarter.

Nebraska 7-3 | 3:39 3Q

—Kyle Nabors
6:59 pm
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Jedd Fisch halftime quotes

Here’s what Husky coach Jedd Fisch had to say before the start of the second half:

(On first half) “Big Ten football game at its finest right now. Ball position. Field position. We started backed up twice on offense. They started backed up twice on defense. We flipped the field. One time they went 98 yards. One time we got the ball. We went 97 yards and kicked a field goal.

“So, that's what this game is right now. Got to find a way to continue to take the ball away and we got to find a way to score.”

(On Elijah Brown) “I think Elijah has done a nice job so far. So, we'll keep that going.”

—Percy Allen

KEY UPDATE

| 6:37 pm
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Halftime impressions

The Huskies are fortunate to head into halftime trailing 7-3.

Here’s a few thoughts.

— Washington has just 8 rushing yards on eight attempts, which is putting stress on quarterback Elijah Brown, who is making his second start. Brown has 101 yards on 11-for-20 passing, but he’s missed several throws that he made in his previous outing two weeks ago.

— On its fifth drive, Washington finally got the offense moving. Demond Williams Jr. came off the bench for one play and provided a spark on a trick play when he passed to Dezmen Roebuck for 9 yards.

The Huskies marched to the Nebraska 42 before the drive stalled due to three false-start penalties.

— Speaking of penalties, UW has six for 29 yards. Nebraska has four for 39 yards.

— It’s Halloween and kicker Tyler Robles hit a ‘Thriller’ dance after drilling a career-tying 50-yard field goal.

— Not sure if Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea can beat the Huskies throwing the ball. He’s a dangerous runner, but not very accurate while completing 11 of 21 passes for 120 yards and two interceptions.

—Percy Allen

KEY UPDATE

| 6:32 pm
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Huskies get on the scoreboard

It's been a quiet first half for the Husky offense, but Washington finally gets on the board with Tyler Robles' 50-yard field goal in the final minute before halftime.

The Huskies have actually outgained Nebraska in the second quarter, but poor field position and penalties have made things tough on UW.

7-3 Nebraska | 0:41 2Q

—Kyle Nabors
6:07 pm
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Environmental impacts

If there were any doubts about how loud it is in Memorial Stadium, Washington's series of false starts is probably enough proof.

UW's best drive of the half stalls out after consecutive false start penalties on offensive lineman John Mills and tight end Baron Naone. A third false start during the same series — with UW facing third-and-18 — emphasizes the point.

Washington has committed five false starts with six minutes remaining in the first half. Mills and Naone have committed two each.

—Andy Yamashita
6:05 pm
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Huskies get tricky with Demond Williams Jr.

Demond Williams Jr.'s first snap of the game doesn't come under center.

Instead, the Huskies lined up Williams out wide for a gadget play with Elijah Brown taking the snap and immediately tossing the ball to Williams, who fired the ball all the way back across the field to Dezmen Roebuck for a 9-yard gain.

After starting the drive at their own 3-yard line, the Huskies are putting together their best drive of the first half as they near midfield.

—Kyle Nabors

KEY UPDATE

| 6:03 pm
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Kolt Dieterich goes down

Washington certainly can't afford another injury at center. Senior Landen Hatchett is already out for the season with a neck injury, and third-choice center Jake Flores is out tonight with an undisclosed injury.

But senior Kolt Dieterich just went down with an injury before limping off the field with trainers. Seventh-year offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett is UW's second-choice center tonight behind Dieterich.

Hatchett enters the game. Dieterich will stay on the sideline for now.

—Andy Yamashita
5:48 pm
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Huskies continue shuffling O-Line

Washington shuffled its offensive line during its third drive, with Jordan Mills moving to left tackle and seventh-year offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett coming in at left guard. UW has been rotating freshman Kodi Greene out of games since nonconference play.

Additionally, senior linebacker Xe'ree Alexander made his return, playing his first snaps since sustaining a high ankle sprain against Iowa on Oct. 9.

—Andy Yamashita
5:45 pm
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Washington gets kickoff time for next week

Washington will host Penn State at 12:30 p.m. at Husky Stadium on Nov. 7. The game will be broadcast on FS1.

The matchup had previously been placed on a 6-day hold. Washington hasn't played an afternoon kickoff since facing Utah State during Week 2.

—Andy Yamashita
5:44 pm
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First quarter Impressions

Washington trails 7-0, but it could be worse.

The Huskies stymied the Cornhuskers on their first two drives, which ended with interceptions by second-year safety Rylon Dillard-Allen and fourth-year cornerback Emmanuel Karnley.

— Nebraska got things going offensively on its third drive thanks to a running attack that’s churned out 76 yards on 12 attempts, which is 6.5 yards per carry.

— UW’s pass rush has been nonexistent and Anthony Colandrea had time to loft a pretty pass 24-yard TD pass. On the play, Nebraska tight end Carter Nelson beat Alex McLaughlin with a quick move on the line of scrimmage and ran past the Husky safety before hauling in a pass over his shoulder in the end zone.

— Washington has 19 yards, including 1 rushing yard.

— At this rate, Demond Williams Jr. might see some action in the first half.

— Nebraska has nearly blocked two punts.

—Percy Allen

KEY UPDATE

| 5:37 pm
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Nebraska strikes first

After interceptions on each of its first two possessions, Nebraska hits its stride on the Cornhuskers' third drive.

Anthony Colandrea connects with Carter Nelson for a 24-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 95-yard drive to give Nebraska for the first points of the game.

The Cornhuskers have outgained Washington 146 to 22 yards.

7-0 Nebraska | 1:40 1Q

—Kyle Nabors
5:24 pm
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Jayden Limar returns

Jayden Limar takes his first carry of the game 4 yards. It's his first action since suffering an elbow injury during the final drive of UW's 24-10 victory against WSU on Sept. 6.

The senior from Lake Stevens was expected to play a major role in Washington's offense after transferring from Oregon before being sidelined for nearly seven weeks.

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—Andy Yamashita
5:23 pm
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They did it again

The Huskies are making things miserable for Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea. He tried to throw deep, but his pass fell short and was intercepted by cornerback Emmanuel Karley at the UW 30.

That’s the second inception for Colandrea.

Not sure if Nebraska will let him pass again on the next drive.

—Percy Allen

KEY UPDATE

| 5:18 pm
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Elijah Brown starts

As expected, junior Elijah Brown gets the start at quarterback for the Huskies.

In front of him, UW returns to the starting five from its opening game: left tackle Kodi Greene, left guard John Mills, center Kolt Dieterich, right guard Champ Taulealea and right tackle Drew Azzopardi. UW goes with freshman Brian Bonner Jr. at running back to start.

—Andy Yamashita
5:17 pm
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First big play goes to Dillard-Allen

During his pregame comments, coach Jedd Fisch talked about UW’s need for turnovers when he said: “PBU’s are nice, but interceptions are better.”

Well, safety Rylon Dillard-Allen must have been listening.

On Nebraska’s first drive, Dillard-Allen picked off Cornhusker quarterback Anthony Colandrea on a pass that sailed wide, and returned it to the UW 26.

It’s the third interception for Dillard-Allen and 10th for Washington this season.

—Percy Allen
5:07 pm
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Jeron Jones starts at nickel

No major surprises on defense for Washington, but freshman Jeron Jones is getting the first snaps at nickel.

He'd previously competed for the starting job with junior Rahshawn Clark, but moved outside after an injury to cornerback Emmanuel Karnley. Clark checks in for the second play.

—Andy Yamashita
5:04 pm
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Jedd Fisch pregame quotes

Here’s what Husky coach Jedd Fisch had to say before today’s game.

(On UW quarterbacks) “We made the decision that we'll start Elijah (Brown). I think that the way he played the last six quarters, and especially the way he played the game against Purdue on the road, that he earned that right to start this game. We do think that there'll be some opportunities for Demond (Williams Jr.) as well in this game, but we'll see how it goes. Overall, right now we're pretty healthy. We're excited about the game.”

(On Landen Hatchett) “I just feel for Landen more than anything, right? We're people first before we're coaches and players and everything else. Landen has gone through a ton this year, and to have multiple surgeries and fight back. Certainly the team benefited from his return last Friday night or two Friday nights ago. Those are the type of games that you like to have when you could score and run the ball and have the type of production on offense.

“But unfortunately, we came across something that we can't mess around with and he made that announcement. So, Landen is out for the year, and Kolt (Dietrich) is back in at center. And the good part for us is Kolt has five and a half games under his belt, and Kodi Greene has seven games under his belt. We'll start Kodi at left tackle and Kolt at center, and then let it play from there.”

(On Jayden Limar’s return) “He has beaten all the odds in his recovery. We initially saw that as a three-month injury or 2-3 months, He got it done in two months and one day and so for that, we're excited about having him play tonight. He will play, and he will have the opportunity to have pretty significant reps. We'll see how he does in his first game back since Week 1, but we are excited that he's back.”

—Percy Allen
5:01 pm
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Black Out environment

Washington's played in some famous environments since joining the Big Ten, most notably the Penn State White Out.

But this blackout environment at Nebraska is pretty impressive. Memorial Stadium has been packed for several minutes before kickoff. Not a single empty seat visible.

—Andy Yamashita

KEY UPDATE

| 4:27 pm
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Elijah Brown take first snaps with Kolt Dieterich

Junior quarterback Elijah Brown was paired with starting center Kolt Dieterich to start Washington's warmups before Nebraska, signaling Brown as UW's likely starter under center.

Demond Williams Jr., who is fully dressed and available, took snaps from second-choice center Geirean Hatchett.

Additionally, senior tailback Jayden Limar took snaps with Brown and Dieterich, while freshman Brian Bonner Jr., who has started amid UW's running back injury crisis, worked with Williams and Hatchett.

KJR's Dave "Softy" Mahler reported Brown will start with Williams available and likely to play a few series, too.

—Andy Yamashita
3:34 pm
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Huskies lose four-star commit to another Big Ten school

Dontay Tyson Jr., a 2027 blue-chip wide receiver who’d been committed to Washington since June 5, announced his decision to flip to Wisconsin on Saturday in a post on his social media accounts.

Tyson, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound receiver at Peoria High in Peoria, Ariz., is the No. 48 wide receiver, the No. 7 player in Arizona and the No. 338 player nationally. He is a four-star prospect, according to 247Sports composite ratings. He’s also a standout sprinter.

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—Andy Yamashita

KEY UPDATE

| 3:20 pm
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Demond Williams Jr. not listed on availability report

Washington did not list quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (ribs) on its final injury report Saturday morning, signaling his potential availability to play against Nebraska.

Williams, who hasn't played since suffering a rib fracture against Iowa on Oct. 9, watched from the sideline as junior quarterback Elijah Brown led Washington to its first Big Ten win of the season on Oct. 16 on the road against Purdue. Coach Jedd Fisch said Williams and Brown, a Stanford transfer, were going to split first-team offense repetitions during the bye week.

Senior running back Jayden Limar (elbow) was also notably absent from the injury report. The Oregon transfer hasn't played since UW's season-opening win against Washington State on Sept. 6.

Washington did rule out edge rusher Ramzak Fruean (knee), running back Ansu Sanoe (foot) and offensive linemen Justin Hylkema (undisclosed) and Jake Flores (undisclosed). They will join running back Jordan Washington (neck), running back Quaid Carr (hand), wide receiver Christian Moss (quad), center Landen Hatchett (neck) and safety CJ Christian (Achilles tendon) — all dealing with long-term injuries — on the sideline.

UW's only game-time decision will be linebacker Xe'ree Alexander (ankle), who suffered a high ankle sprain against Iowa and did not play against Purdue.

—Andy Yamashita
2:37 pm
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Huskies QB Demond Williams Jr. upgraded to probable for Nebraska game

Washington upgraded junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (rib) from questionable to probable on its Thursday availability report, potentially paving the way for his return after missing UW’s 38-26 victory against Purdue on Oct. 16.

“We feel good about what direction we’re going to go Saturday night,” head coach Jedd Fisch said Thursday. “From that point in time, we’ll figure it out after that. But our goal is to put our team in the best possible position to win this week and then each week after that and then we’ll make our decisions.”

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—Andy Yamashita
2:36 pm
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Huskies should start Elijah Brown at QB vs. Nebraska | Vorel

Coach Jedd Fisch can be coy about who his starting quarterback will be against Nebraska. After all, it wouldn’t benefit the Huskies to tip their hand, especially considering the Cornhuskers rank ninth in the nation in total defense and 14th in scoring defense. At 4-3, with injuries on the offensive line and in the backfield, Washington would be wise to use every possible advantage.

So by all means, keep this secret, a trick held for Halloween.

But come 5 p.m. Saturday, Elijah Brown should make his second consecutive start.

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—Mike Vorel
2:35 pm
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What to watch as Huskies return from bye with critical road test vs. Nebraska

Five games remaining. The final stretch starts now. 

Washington returns from its bye week by traveling to Nebraska, also idle during the past week. The Huskies are seeking to build on their first conference win of the season while the Cornhuskers hope to end a two-game Big Ten skid. Both teams need to start critical second halves of the season on a high note. 

Here’s what to watch this weekend as the Huskies take on the Cornhuskers.

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—Andy Yamashita

KEY UPDATE

| 2:33 pm
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How to watch Washington Huskies at Nebraska on TV

The Huskies visit Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., to take on the Cornhuskers on Halloween night.

Tonight's game will air on TV on the Big Ten Network.

—Chris Cole