Tag: Huskies

Sep 20, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) is tackled by jMaryland Terrapins defensive lineman Dillan Fontus (46) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Stingy Maryland staying humble while preparing for Washington

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Maryland coach Mike Locksley isn’t buying into the hype.

Despite his team getting off to a 4-0 start, he isn’t ready to make any grand proclamations about the Terrapins entering a Saturday Big Ten Conference matchup with Washington in College Park, Md.

“I don’t feel the swell of excitement because I try to insulate myself,” Locksley said on IMS Radio. “I came up in the Nick Saban school of thought: Don’t take the cheese, don’t eat the rat poison of it, because there weren’t very many people in December and January (backing us) when everybody was leaving this place and going other places and there wasn’t a lot of direction.

“We figured it out. We’ve put together a good roster. Now the goal is to continue to find a way to develop it and build on it so that we can get this thing back on track.”

The Terrapins, who have yet to trail this season, opened conference play on Sept. 20 with a 27-10 victory at Wisconsin, then had a bye last week.

Maryland’s defense has been stellar. The Terrapins are allowing just 10.8 points per game and entered last week’s bye with the most sacks (16) and interceptions (eight) in the nation.

“It’s not something we’re going to hang our hat on,” defensive lineman Dillan Fontus said. “It’s still the first four games. We’re not worried about stats and stuff like that. It’s just a testament to all the work we put in … It’s more of an expectation than a surprise or something to hang your hat on.”

The Huskies (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) had been cruising before a 24-6 loss at home last week against No. 1 Ohio State in their conference opener. They committed six penalties — two on coach Jedd Fisch — and Demond Williams Jr. was sacked six times.

“When you play the No. 1 team in the country, they know how to win,” Fisch said. “They’ve won a lot. They win every year. And if you’re going to be able to finish the game, and be able to win those games, those penalties can’t happen. Those sacks can’t happen. The mistakes that were made can’t happen.”

Williams, a sophomore who is completing 75.6 percent of his passing attempts, was 18 of 22 for 226 yards against the Buckeyes.

Fisch suggested it might have been better if Williams had completed fewer passes — throwing the ball away instead of taking a sack.

“I’ve got to help Demond understand that an incompletion is OK sometimes,” Fisch said. “He doesn’t throw many incompletions at all. Sometimes — sometimes — that leads to holding the ball a little bit longer and unfortunately, at times, it can turn into a sack.”

–Field Level Media

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a pass against Ohio Bobcats cornerback Michael Mack II (9) in the second half at the Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

‘It’s Ohio State’: Washington prepares for No. 1 Buckeyes in clash of unbeatens

Posted on | by Field Level Media

If the Washington players wanted to spend a little extra time savoring their victory over rival Washington State last Saturday, Huskies coach Jedd Fisch quickly dismissed their intentions.

“We put the Apple Cup to rest yesterday,” he said Monday of his team’s 59-24 victory.

That’s because the Huskies (3-0) will host No. 1 Ohio State (3-0) on Saturday afternoon in Seattle in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

“They’re very disciplined. They know their assignments,” Fisch said. “It’s Ohio State; they’re always going to have a great defense. They’re always going to have a great offense and a great kicking game. That’s why they win as much as they win.

“Our game is the game that everyone will tune in on. What else do you need to know? What else do you need to do?”

Washington will be challenged going against an Ohio State offense that features receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who have combined for 32 catches for 534 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin has thrown for 779 yards and eight TDs, with three interceptions.

Fisch said Huskies linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah will not play after sustaining a left knee injury against Washington State, and cornerback Tacario Davis is questionable following an upper-body injury suffered in a 70-10 rout of UC Davis on Sept. 6.

Saturday’s game will match Ohio State’s defense — which is tied with BYU for the average fewest points allowed (5.3) in the nation — vs. the Washington offense, which is second in points (55.7).

Huskies running back Jonah Coleman leads the country with nine rushing touchdowns while the Buckeyes are one four teams (Florida State, Minnesota and Penn State are the others) that haven’t allowed a rushing TD.

“He’s a really good back,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said of Coleman. “This is somebody who runs really physical, runs really hard, has really good vision. Can catch the ball out of the backfield.”

The Buckeyes also must contend with dual-threat quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who passed for 298 yards, rushed for 88 and accounted for five touchdowns (four passing and one rushing) against Washington State.

Day compared him to Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray.

“He’s a tremendous talent, and it’s going to be a good challenge for our team,” Day said of Williams.

This will be the Buckeyes’ first road game of the season after wins against then-No. 1 Texas (14-7 score) in the opener, Grambling State (70-0) and Ohio (37-9).

Ohio State did not play last weekend.

“We know this is going to be a great challenge, being on the road, a very good team,” Day said. “For these guys, this group, it will be our first time on the road. Whatever we’ve done in the first three games means absolutely nothing going into this game. We’ve got to go on the road and get this win.

“We’re expecting a great environment, and that’s what’s a great part about being on the road, you get to go into these environments and you get a feel for what it’s like.”

Washington has won 22 games in a row at home, the second-longest streak in the country behind Georgia’s 34.

“We’re going to continue to do the best we can to keep the streak going, but we’ve got the No. 1 team in the country here,” Fisch said. “So we have to make sure that we are ready for what will be an absolute challenge, to say the least.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) carries the ball against Washington State Cougars safety Tucker Large (1) in the first half of Apple Cup at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

Washington piles up points in final quarter, routs Washington State

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Demond Williams Jr. threw four touchdown passes and rushed for another and Washington scored 28 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat Washington State 59-24 on Saturday in the Apple Cup in Pullman, Wash.

Jonah Coleman scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) for the Huskies (3-0), Denzel Boston had a pair of TD receptions and Alex McLaughlin intercepted two passes, returning one for a score.

For Washington State (2-2), Zevi Eckhaus completed 26 of 37 passes for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Eckhaus also rushed for a score.

Williams was 16-of-19 passing for 298 yards and rushed for a game-high 88 yards on 13 attempts. Coleman added 59 yards on 12 carries and caught six passes for 104 yards. Boston had six receptions for 107 yards.

After the Cougars pulled within 31-24 late in the third quarter, Williams hit Boston with a 7-yard pass in the back right corner of the end zone to give the Huskies a 14-point lead with 12:59 remaining in regulation.

McLaughlin returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown with 11:34 left to make it 45-24 and the Huskies forced Eckhaus to fumble on WSU’s next play.

Coleman scored on a 34-yard screen pass from Williams four plays later, making it 52-24 with 10:08 to go.

Williams hit Omari Evans with a 59-yard scoring strike with 2:40 left to wrap up the victory.

The Huskies took a 24-10 halftime lead.

Williams hit Boston with a 29-yard scoring strike on the game’s first drive and, after an interception, Williams scampered untouched around the right end for a 23-yard TD.

The Cougars responded, with Eckhaus hitting freshman tight end Beau Baker on a 12-yard pass to pull WSU within 14-7 early in the second quarter.

Coleman dragged three defenders over the goal line on a 12-yard run.

The teams traded field goals before the intermission, with the Cougars’ Jack Stevens connecting on a 36-yarder and the Huskies’ Grady Gross converting from a career-long 51 yards with 25 seconds left in the half.

WSU scored on the opening drive of the second half, with Eckhaus hitting Devin Ellison on an 8-yard slant, to pull within 24-17.

After a failed onside kick, Coleman scored on a 2-yard run to put the Huskies back up by 14.

Eckhaus’ 1-yard plunge pulled the Cougars within 31-24 late in the third.

–Field Level Media

Notre Dame's last second field goal attempt is blocked to give Northern Illinois the 16-14 win in a NCAA college football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend.

Northern Illinois visits Maryland plotting another Week 2 shocker

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In Week 2 last season, Northern Illinois pulled off perhaps the most inexplicable upset of 2024 by toppling a Notre Dame team that went on to reach the national title game.

This year in Week 2, Northern Illinois (1-0) has a chance to make noise again versus a heavily favored foe — though a victory Friday night at Maryland (1-0) wouldn’t have the same seismic impact.

“We’re playing a Big Ten opponent on national TV,” Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock said on Tuesday. “It’s a great opportunity to see if we can get better from Week 1 to Week 2.”

While Northern Illinois opened last week with an uninspiring 19-17 victory over FCS Holy Cross, Maryland’s opener featured a flashy debut from true freshman quarterback Malik Washington.

In a 39-7 defeat of Florida Atlantic, Washington lived up to his advance notice as a highly touted recruit, completing 27 of 43 passes for 258 yards without an interception.

All three of Washington’s touchdown passes came in the dizzying final eight minutes of the first half when the Terrapins took control of the game.

“This kid is mature beyond the years,” said Maryland coach Mike Locksley. “I saw a young quarterback really put it on himself to deliver some great throws.”

Washington’s promising debut has removed some of the pressure building on Locksley and the program after last year’s 4-8 season that included just one win in the Big Ten.

“To get off to a fast start is igniting,” Locksley said. “To elevate, you have to at least hit the button to start where you want to go.”

After losing 16 players to power-conference schools in the transfer portal, this is a much different Northern Illinois squad than the one that took down Notre Dame. The Huskies have nine new starters on each side of the ball.

Josh Holst, who was the backup at quarterback last year, presents a running threat. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards with one interception and no touchdowns against Holy Cross.

The Huskies depended on their rushing attack, which produced 180 yards led by Chavon Wright (11 carries, 77 yards, one touchdown) and Telly Johnson Jr. (21 carries, 67 yards).

A 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Dev’ion Reynolds gave Northern Illinois the lead for good in the fourth quarter versus Holy Cross.

–Field Level Media

Camellia Bowl: Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock gets doused after the Huskies defeated Arkansas State.

Amid constant change, NIU, Fresno State enjoy tradition at Potato Bowl

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For roughly three hours Monday afternoon, the dizzying college football carousel will slow long enough for Northern Illinois (7-5) and Fresno State (6-6) to battle for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

Neither school will have its starting quarterback (and other quality players) due to the transfer portal. Neither school is expected to belong to its current conference by July 2026 as Fresno State already has committed to the Pac-12 while NIU is rumored to be weighing a move to the Mountain West.

And, in Fresno State’s case, the program’s official head coach isn’t the guy who’s steering the ship in Boise. Interim boss Tim Skipper, who took over in July when Jeff Tedford had to step down for health reasons, hands over the reins after the bowl game to Southern California associate head coach Matt Entz, who was hired Dec. 4 to take over the program.

Nonetheless, Monday’s game allows for a bit of college tradition to shine through. Specifically, a bunch of seniors getting to end their careers on a bowl trip with their teammates. The Huskies, for example, have a school-record 30 seniors playing on Boise’s unique blue turf for their final game.

“You have to adjust and adapt to the new landscape of college football and do the best you can,” Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock told Field Level Media. “But I’m glad we didn’t have to cancel a game like Marshall — that we can go out there and experience this game with our seniors and let them go out there and have one last hurrah.”

The Huskies, of course, already have secured one lifetime memory this season: their 16-14 victory on Sept. 7 at fifth-ranked Notre Dame. But Ethan Hampton, the quarterback who guided that upset with 198 passing yards and one touchdown, no longer runs the show for NIU. He entered the transfer portal and committed to Wake Forest — only to decommit Monday when head coach Dave Clawson retired. He’s now headed to Illinois.

In Hampton’s stead, redshirt freshman Josh Holst will get his second start. In his first start, Holst completed 22 of 46 passes for 210 yards and rushed 14 times for 48 yards in a 13-6 loss vs. MAC rival Toledo.

“He’s really made a tremendous jump over the last three weeks from a preparation standout to a mentality standpoint and with his approach,” Hammock said. “I’m excited to watch him go out and play. You can do a little bit more (with Holst) because he does have the ability to hurt you with his legs.”

Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene led the Mountain West with 2,892 passing yards as he clicked on 70.5 percent of his passes. Alas, Keene is one of 14 Bulldogs who hit the transfer portal and won’t play Monday.

Through it all, Fresno State will embrace its spot in a bowl game.

“We’ve been through a lot of adversity, but we just kept on swinging,” Skipper said, according to the Fresno State student-run newspaper The Collegian, after the Bulldogs became bowl eligible.

Fresno State has chosen to keep Northern Illinois guessing by listing sophomore Joshua Wood and freshman Jayden Mandal as co-starters on the depth chart. Wood seems more likely because, while he attempted just five passes, he rushed 26 times for 86 yards and five scores as the Bulldogs’ change-of-pace quarterback in the Wildcat formation.

“It’s a challenge, right?” Hammock said. “It’s almost like a first-game-of-the-year mentality. You have an idea of what they want to do schematically — and then you’ll figure out the personnel once you get out there.”

–Field Level Media

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws out a pass as the Oregon Ducks host the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Eugene, Ore.

Winless in rivalry, Dan Lanning, No. 1 Oregon determined to tame Huskies

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Oregon already secured its spot in the Big Ten championship game, but the top-ranked Ducks have plenty to play for in their regular-season finale.

Revenge may be on Oregon’s mind when the Ducks host longtime rival Washington on Saturday in Eugene, Ore.

Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) would perhaps be closing in on its second straight College Football Playoff appearance had the Huskies (6-5, 4-4) not dealt the Ducks their only two losses last season.

Washington edged Oregon 36-33 in Seattle last October, then slipped past the Ducks 34-31 in the Pac-12 title game to secure a playoff spot for the second time in school history. Both teams joined the Big Ten in August.

Third-year Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is 33-5 leading the Ducks. But he remains winless against the Huskies (0-3).

Oregon plots to sprint out of its late-season bye after using time to heal injuries, but Lanning doesn’t believe the break should stall the flow of an undefeated season.

“It’s always about what we’re able to do on the field. Motivation is overrated,” Lanning said. “Our guys have to want to go out there and execute at a really high level. Since the beginning of the season we’ve talked about playing our best football at the end of November. We’re there. This is our opportunity to go play our best football against a good team.”

The Ducks could have star wide receiver Tez Johnson back from a shoulder injury this week. Johnson has missed the past two games.

That would be good news for quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who would regain the team’s leader in receptions (64), receiving yards (649) and receiving touchdowns (eight).

Washington, under first-year head coach Jedd Fisch, is 63-48-5 all-time against Oregon but is just 1-12-1 when facing the No. 1-ranked team in the country.

The Huskies are led on offense by running back Jonah Coleman, who has racked up 1,008 yards and nine scores on the ground this season. Coleman averages 5.8 yards per carry and has 36 runs of at least 10 yards.

In the passing game, wide receiver Denzel Boston is tied for the Big Ten lead with nine in touchdown catches and ranks sixth in the conference with 764 receiving yards.

Whom Boston will be catching passes from is not yet known, however.

Washington has not revealed whether Will Rogers or Demond Williams Jr. will start at quarterback. Rogers has started every game for the Huskies but was benched in favor of Williams two weeks ago after throwing a pair of interceptions in a 31-19 win over UCLA.

Fisch said he has a “good idea” of how he will use his quarterbacks on Saturday, and while he wouldn’t go as far as to name a starter, he did say Rogers responded well in practices last week.

“On the same token, Demond’s energy and Demond’s confidence showed up. His ability to jump right in and feel really good about leading the group whenever it was his turn… he did a really nice job there as well,” Fisch told Seattle Sports.

“I think both guys responded well to the week of practice, and now, really, it’s important for us that the guy we believe will start the game gets a significant amount of reps in practice week. But as you know, we’re not afraid to play two quarterbacks.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) throws a pass against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Back on track, Kyle McCord looks to lead Syracuse past UConn

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Less than a month ago, Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord threw five interceptions in a lopsided loss to Pittsburgh.

McCord and the Orange appear to be back on track but will face a stiff test Saturday when Connecticut visits for a nonconference clash.

In the Oct. 24 defeat to Pitt, McCord threw three pick-sixes in the first half alone. He did not pass for a touchdown against the Panthers, but since he has thrown five TDs and only one INT while the Orange (7-3) are 2-1 over their last three outings.

“I’m biased, but Kyle McCord’s a top-five quarterback in the country,” Syracuse coach Fran Brown said. “He don’t get beat up about it, he don’t complain about it, he’s just, ‘It is what it is, let’s move on to the next thing.’ Without him, our program wouldn’t be where it’s at right now.”

McCord passed for 323 yards and a touchdown Saturday at Cal, helping the Orange earn a 33-25 victory. LeQuint Allen ran for 109 yards and two TDs for Syracuse, while the Orange defense grabbed a pair of interceptions en route to a 27-7 halftime lead.

“I’m proud that they came together and played as a full team (in the) last game — complementary football,” Brown said.

The Huskies (7-3) are coming off a solid game as well, as they rallied with 21 fourth-quarter points to knock off UAB 31-23. Cam Edwards’ 48-yard TD run with 2:39 left proved to be the decisive score as UConn won for the sixth time in seven games.

However, the Huskies had a bye last weekend, so UConn coach Jim Mora Jr. doesn’t expect to receive a ton of momentum from the win over the Blazers.

“That game’s 12 days ago, so that’s way out of our minds,” Mora said Tuesday. “But they’re confident because they practiced well today. That’s how we try to look at it. … That’s where we’re at.”

The former Big East Conference rivals have met 12 times over the years. Most recently, Syracuse posted a 48-14 road win over UConn on Sept. 10, 2022.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) prepares for a snap during the third quarter of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

No. 13 Indiana starting new QB with “College GameDay,” Washington visiting

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Usually at this time of the year, Hoosiers are looking forward to the start of basketball season.

Not this fall.

Indiana’s football team has captured the state’s, if not the nation’s, imagination. ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be on campus Saturday in Bloomington, Ind., for only the second time ahead of the No. 13 Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) game against Washington (4-3, 2-2).

Indiana first hosted “College GameDay” back in 2017 ahead of a Thursday game against Ohio State.

Indiana thrashed Nebraska 56-7 last Saturday, leading to a headline in The Athletic early this week regarding the candidates for the 12-team College Football Playoff read: “Yes, Indiana has a better chance than Alabama.”

Of course, that was before Hoosiers starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke reportedly had thumb surgery Monday.

“Right off the bat, Kurtis Rourke will not play this week. We do expect Kurtis to return during the regular season. That’s all I’ll say about the injury,” Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti said.

Cignetti did say Rourke, a sixth-year transfer from Ohio, was taking the injury in stride.

“He’s a veteran guy, married guy,” Cignetti said. “He’s older, smart. Got a great attitude about it.”

Rourke, who was getting some Heisman Trophy consideration by leading the top-scoring offense in the nation (48.7 points per game), was injured during the first half against the Cornhuskers when he hit a helmet during a throw. Rourke has completed 135 of 181 passes for 1,941 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Rourke will be replaced by Tayven Jackson, who started five games for the Hoosiers as a freshman last season. He guided Indiana to four second-half touchdowns last weekend, completing 7 of 8 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

“We have 100 percent confidence and the team has 100 percent confidence, I have confidence, the staff has confidence in Tayven Jackson,” Cignetti said. “I thought he played really well in the second half.”

Washington coach Jedd Fisch, whose team had a bye last week, and his assistants made sure to watch the second half of the Nebraska game carefully.

“If I was going off that small sample, I would say it doesn’t look too much different,” Fisch said of the switch from Rourke to Jackson.

After defeating visiting Michigan 27-17 on Oct. 5 in a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff championship game, the Huskies traveled to Iowa the following week and lost 40-16.

“We had a lot of corrections we needed to make,” Fisch said. “Everybody needs to be better, but as we’re building it, and going through this process and learning how to handle big wins against Michigan, tough losses against Iowa, how is that team going to be able to respond in the future is really the key.”

Washington quarterback Will Rogers, a transfer from Mississippi State, has completed 153 of 212 passes (72.2 percent) for 1,820 yards with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions this season. Running back Jonah Coleman, a transfer from Arizona, has 681 yards on 99 carries (6.9 yards per rush) with five touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Dave Clawson watches from the sideline as they take on the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Wake Forest defense steps up in win over UConn

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Demond Claiborne ran for two touchdowns and Wake Forest’s defense did much of the heavy lifting in a 23-20 victory against host Connecticut on Saturday afternoon at East Hartford, Conn.

Claiborne gained 60 yards on 24 carries, Hank Bachmeier threw for 274 yards with an interception and Taylor Morin had 104 receiving yards for the Demon Deacons (3-4).

UConn quarterback Nick Evers was 26-for-43 passing for 247 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

UConn (4-3) didn’t move above the 200-yard mark of total offense until about five minutes into the fourth quarter. But the Huskies engineered a 13-play, 88-yard mark to pull within 23-20 on Evers’ 25-yard scoring pass to Louis Hansen with 2:27 left.

UConn forced a Wake Forest punt and got the ball back at its own 20-yard line with 2:02 remaining. The Huskies picked up a first down before an incomplete pass on fourth down near midfield halted the final threat.

Wake Forest’s defense made a big impact. After a defensive-oriented first half, the teams traded touchdown drives in the first eight minutes of the second half.

Wake Forest extended its advantage to 20-6 with Claiborne’s 1-yard run completing an eight-play, 60-yard drive.

UConn responded by going 50 yards in seven plays, with Evers throwing 20 yards to Jasiah Gathings to cut the deficit to 20-13.

A chance for Wake Forest to rebuild a double-digit lead was thwarted when Matthew Dennis’ 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked late in the third. On the Demon Deacons’ next possession, Dennis connected from 36 yards out for a 23-13 lead with 11:13 to play.

Wake Forest led 13-6 at halftime, outgaining the Huskies 228-124 prior to the break. Both teams collected an interception in the first half.

Dennis kicked Wake Forest field goals of 32 and 31 yards and Chris Freeman booted UConn field goals of 35 and 53 yards. The difference was Claiborne’s 5-yard run early in the second quarter. The second Dennis field goal put the Demon Deacons up 13-3.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez (50) tackles Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe (25) short of the end zone during the fourth quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Washington embarks on first Big Ten road trip to Rutgers

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Washington and Rutgers may be on opposite sides of the country, but some Huskies coaches are plenty familiar with the New Jersey flagship university.

The Huskies (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) are set to travel to Piscataway, N.J., for their first road game as a member of the Big Ten Conference on Friday night against Rutgers (3-0, 0-0).

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch grew up in Livingston, N.J., less than an hour from the state university, and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is a Rutgers alum.

“We’ve got to play our best football,” Fisch said. “We’ve got to bring our brand of football that we’re trying to work though in our process — being disciplined, being physical.”

The Huskies did that Saturday, opening their Big Ten slate with a 24-5 victory against visiting Northwestern. Belichick’s defense limited the Wildcats to 112 yards of total offense and made goal-line stands on back-to-back possessions in the second half.

Washington’s offense clicked early, taking a 17-0 lead less than five minutes into the second quarter as Will Rogers III threw 46- and 13-yard scoring strikes to Denzel Boston. The Huskies ran into penalty problems and stalled in the second half until Jonah Coleman scored on an 8-yard run with 5:58 remaining.

The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 26-23 victory at Virginia Tech in which Jai Patel made a 24-yard field goal with 1:56 left. Athan Kaliakmanis threw for a season-high 269 yards, Kyle Monangai and Samuel Brown V combined for 144 yards rushing and three touchdowns and Ian Strong had a career-high 110 yards receiving.

That gave Rutgers a 3-0 start under coach Greg Schiano for a fourth consecutive season.

Schiano said he knows his offense will face a tough task Friday against Belichick, the son of the legendary New England Patriots coach, Bill Belichick.

“Steven Belichick, who we all know well — really, really proud of what he’s doing. My goodness, they’re No. 1 in the league in defense. … But I don’t want to be proud of him Friday night. I want to be proud of him after Friday night,” Schiano said. “No one else really plays defense like that. It’s unique, very much like the New England package. He’s put his own slant on it, but it’s a challenge.”

–Field Level Media