Washington Huskies’ grades for win over Utah State

For a second consecutive week, No. 19 Washington failed to impress against a Pac-12 opponent.

This time, the Huskies needed to intercept a Hail Mary heave to escape with a 16-14 win over Utah State. Let’s get to the grades.

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Offense

The Husky offensive line was considered a clear strength entering the season.

That’s hard to believe after what we’ve seen.

With a true freshman left tackle in Kodi Greene and a backup center in Kolt Dieterich, the Husky running game didn’t get going yet again. It didn’t help that UW’s top two runners, Quaid Carr and Jayden Limar, were each injured in the season-opening win over Washington State. But against a Utah State defense they should have dominated, Husky tailbacks Brian Bonner, Trey Cooley and Ansu Sanoe combined for 49 rushing yards, 2.3 yards per carry and one touchdown.

The opportunities were there. On fourth-and-two in the first quarter, Cooley leaked out of the backfield and appeared primed to take a short pass for a 33-yard touchdown. Instead, he dropped the ball, then dropped to his knees in disappointment. Bonner also fumbled a handoff at Utah State’s 11-yard line, before falling on the ball. That mishap preceded a UW field goal.

Outside of quarterback Demond Williams Jr., UW’s lack of apparent playmakers is alarming. The Huskies played much of Saturday’s game without two of their top running backs (Carr and Limar) and wide receivers (Christian Moss and Rashid Williams). Their dwindling depth is a massive problem. Even their top wide receiver, Dezmen Roebuck, made two inexplicable drops that could have cost them the game.

Demond Williams Jr. was fine, mostly, completing 63% of his passes while throwing for 249 yards and adding 56 rushing yards. But his offensive line’s inability to control the line of scrimmage against a second straight Pac-12 opponent is a surprising and significant concern.

Grade: D

Defense

UW’s defense was mostly dominant Saturday. Utah State tailbacks produced a total of minus-6 rushing yards. The Aggies averaged a paltry 4.7 yards per play. Husky safety Alex McLaughlin particularly excelled, leading the team with nine tackles and adding two sacks and an interception. Second-year defensive backs Dylan Robinson and Rahshawn Clark produced picks as well, with Clark’s coming on a Hail Mary that solidified UW’s too-close-for-comfort win. Coordinator Ryan Walters’ defense made plenty of big plays.

But the lapses allowed the Aggies to hang around. Freshman cornerback Jeron Jones got lost on Utah State quarterback Grady Brosterhous’ 78-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Javon Robinson. The Aggies mounted a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to pull within two and nearly won at the end of regulation.

This is a Utah State team that lost by 12 to FCS Idaho State one week ago.

UW’s defense was good enough but could have been better.

Grade: B-

Special teams

After impressing in his UW debut against Washington State, Husky punter Hunter Green’s performance Saturday was more uneven. He recorded two punts of at least 50 yards and landed two inside the 20 but averaged an underwhelming 40.3 yards per punt.

Credit UW kicker Tyler Robles for bouncing back after pushing a 48-yard field-goal attempt wide right to end the second quarter. The fourth-year kicker converted both of his fourth-quarter field-goal attempts (from 26 and 43 yards) and went 3 for 4 on the day. All three of those field goals proved critical, which says more about the incompetency of his offense. Because Saturday’s game should have never been that close.

Clark, who was a factor in the return game against WSU, was not against Utah State — with two punt returns for 1 yard and zero kick returns. The Husky coverage teams, meanwhile, surrendered a total of 75 return yards (though none especially damaging.)

Grade: B

Coaching

The Huskies came precariously close to their worst loss since 2021. Coach Jedd Fisch and his staff can’t be blamed for unfortunate injuries to key pieces on the offensive line and skill positions. Fisch also can’t physically block for QB Williams or catch for Cooley and Roebuck. His players are responsible for executing fundamental plays against an inferior opponent.

But … it’s also Fisch’s job to produce, sans excuses, especially against a team that just lost at home to an FCS opponent. The Husky offense looks helpless in short-yardage situations, and regardless of who their running backs are, that shouldn’t be the case. Especially not in nonconference play.

While Walters’ defense mostly did its part, don’t forget that Brosterhous entered the season as the Aggies’ backup quarterback. He threw for 196 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, while adding 81 rushing yards.

It’s a win for Washington, so we won’t be too critical. But for a team with College Football Playoff hopes, this was not good enough.

Grade: C