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Here are instant impressions from the Huskies’ 35-6 loss at No. 6 Penn State on Saturday evening.
The Huskies have been perfect in home games (5-0) and dreadful in games away from Husky Stadium (0-5), and for the third straight road game, they were not competitive.
Three of their losses away from Husky Stadium have come against teams that are now ranked, including the loss to Washington State at Lumen Field, but that is not an excuse for playing this poorly away from home.
All of the good feelings that were generated from the Huskies’ win over USC the week before have evaporated. The Huskies can still become bowl eligible with a win at home over UCLA, but it will probably take a win at No. 1 Oregon to satisfy most UW fans.
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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Beaver Stadium wasn’t rocking anymore.
Washington was facing a third-and-seven from No. 6 Penn State’s 7-yard line with 14:20 remaining. The Nittany Lions’ famed “White Out” crowd, so raucous it regularly shakes the press box, couldn’t be bothered.
Too many of them had already headed for the exits. After all, their win had already essentially been wrapped up by halftime. This play was simply a consolation prize, a chance for Washington and true freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. to build a little confidence.
Instead, Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter came screaming, unblocked, around the edge, sacking Williams before he even had a chance to make a play.
The remaining Penn State fans cheered. The stadium stood still.
Washington (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) was never truly competitive against No. 6 Penn State, losing 35-6 in front of 110,233 fans at Beaver Stadium, the ninth-largest attendance in stadium history. The Huskies remain winless on the road, and haven’t won an away game since Nov. 18, 2023. They are still one win short of bowl eligibility.
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FINAL: @UW_Football loses to No. 6 Penn State 35-6
Washington is 5-5, 3-4 Big Ten
The drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:22.
Next possession: Penn State starts final possession at own 8.
Time left: 1:28 left in 4Q.
There goes Demond Williams Jr.
The freshman quarterback scrambled for 43 yards, one of the few highlights for the Huskies tonight.
UW trails No. 6 Penn State 35-6 late in this one, but Williams is making an interesting case for consideration as the starting QB in the Huskies’ final two regular-season games.
The scoring play: Penn State running back Kaytron Allen gets into the end zone with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
The drive: 16 plays, 70 yards, 8:39.
The score: Penn State 35, Washington 6. 4:50 left in 4Q.
The scoring play: Grady Gross hits a 35-yard field goal to cut UW’s deficit to 28-6 early in the fourth quarter.
The drive: 15 plays, 56 yards, 7:23.
The story: Jedd Fisch seemed to think replacing Will Rogers with Demond Williams Jr. would spark the Huskies — and the decision has led to two consecutive scoring drives. Williams converted two fourth downs on this possession, getting out of the pocket on both plays, running to convert the first and then allowing Decker DeGraaf to draw a pass-interference penalty in the end zone for the second. But the drive again ended with Fisch opting for a short field goal, for whatever reason.
The score: Penn State 28, Washington 6. 13:33 left in 4Q.
Penn State fans are starting to head for the exits as this one’s been wrapped up for a while.
Demond Williams Jr. is 3-for-6 for 44 yards and added 22 rushing yards in the third quarter. His best throw was a back-shoulder jump ball for Denzel Boston where Williams got crushed by the Penn State pass rush but still gave Boston a chance to come down with the 25-yard catch. However, left tackle Kahlee Tafai went down and had to be helped off the field by teammates.
The Huskies have a chance to make the score a little bit more respectable here.
Being helped off the field now by teammates
Soane Faasolo coming in at left tackle https://t.co/pcz3wlXGE0
Nice throw there by Williams for Denzel Boston
Williams got absolutely crushed on that throw but gave Boston a chance on the jump ball
The drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 3:48.
The story: Penn State kicker Ryan Barker missed a 44-yard field goal as the Huskies’ defense gets a second straight stop.
Next possession: UW starts at own 27.
Time left: 5:56 in 3Q.
The scoring play: Grady Gross knocks in a 24-yard field goal to trim the Huskies’ deficit early in the second half.
The drive: 8 plays, 28 yards, 4:13.
The story: Demond Williams Jr. takes over — and the shutout is over. Jedd Fisch settles for a field goal from the Penn State 6-yard line down four touchdowns, though.
The score: Penn State 28, Washington 3. 9:47 left in 3Q.
Demond Williams' first drive ends at the Penn State 6-yard line and Gross kicks a 24-yard field goal to end the shutout
Huskies had a short field after a fumble by Warren
28-3 Penn State | 9:47 3Q
Washington starts its first offensive drive with quarterback Demond Williams Jr. under center.
Will Rogers went 10-for-13 passing in the first half for 59 yards and an interception after he overthrew fifth-year wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter by a significant margin.
Williams played significant snaps during UW’s 40-16 loss against Iowa. He was 12-for-16 for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Hawkeyes, while also adding 23 yards rushing on three attempts. He’s only attempted two passes since then, both incompletions.
Carson Bruener — who else? — gets a big play to start the second half for the Huskies, forcing PSU tight end Tyler Warren to fumble, which was recovered by Jordan Shaw, who’s in for Thaddeus Dixon.
Demond Williams coming in here
Wouldn't be surprised to see him get the rest of this game
Penn State scores on UW's second-half kickoff, but the play gets called back for holding on PSU
Huskies, at least temporarily, avoid conceding again
Grady Gross tried to soccer slide tackle the kick returner there. Not sure I've seen that before.
Just an ugly half for the Huskies. Washington’s offense has 71 total yards. Will Rogers is 10-for-13 passing for 59 yards and an interception. UW’s rushing attack has 13 yards on 12 carries, averaging 0.9 yards per attempt.
Defensively, the Huskies are offering little resistance. Tyler Warren has two rushing touchdowns, while Drew Allar’s 8-yard pass to Julian Fleming with 23 seconds remaining made it 28-0. Penn State is 7-for-7 on third downs.
Washington hasn’t been shut out since losing 41-0 against Stanford on Oct. 30, 2010. The Huskies have two quarters left to extend that streak a little longer.
The Huskies trail Penn State 28-0 at halftime.
It’s been as bad as that sounds.
Huskies getting blown out entering halftime
UW hasn't been shutout since losing 41-0 against Stanford on Oct. 30, 2010 https://t.co/bMrCdClT4S
The scoring play: Penn State QB Drew Allar passes to Julian Fleming across the middle of the field for an 8-yard touchdown to put the Nittany Lions up 28-0 with 23 seconds left before halftime.
The drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 1:30.
The story: What do you even say to your team after that first half if you’re Jedd Fisch?
The score: Penn State 28, Washington 0. 0:23 left in first half.
The highlight:
.@Julian_040 🤝 Script Endzone pic.twitter.com/gsQ6F5OpAK
Allar connects with Julian Flemming for an 8-yard TD over the middle
28-0 Penn State | 0:23 2Q
The drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 0:52.
The story: Just what the Huskies needed: A three-and-out. Penn State is getting the ball back with every intention to extend this lead before halftime. Worth noting that UW lined up to go for it on fourth-and-2 from its own 33, but Jedd Fisch sent the punt team out after a review timeout.
Next possession: Penn State starts at own 32.
Time left: 1:53 left in 2Q.
The scoring play: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren takes another direct snap and rushes straight up the middle again — this time without the jump — for a 2-yard touchdown.
The drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 4:08.
The story: Penn State’s attack has been balanced through three drives, each resulting in a touchdown, and the Huskies haven’t been able to stop either the pass or the run. It’s looking pretty hopeless for UW already.
The score: Penn State 21, Washington 0. 3:23 left in 2Q.
The highlight:
Make that ✌️ touchdowns today for @PennStateFball's Tyler Warren.#B1GFootball on Peacock 💻 pic.twitter.com/V6Ir3zCe1Q
Tyler Warren takes a wildcat snap and powers into the end zone from two yards out. Again.
Penn State beat Iowa 31-0 in its last white out game. Can UW avoid a White Out shutout?
21-0 Penn State | 3:23 2Q
The drive: 4 plays, 15 yards, 1:51.
The story: The Huskies gained one first down before Will Rogers, who was being pressured by Abdul Carter, was intercepted by Penn State safety Jaylen Reed on an overthrown ball that Reed was all over the entire way. UW’s defense sure needs a stop to stay in this game.
Next possession: Penn State starts at own 42.
Time left: 7:31 in 2Q.
The highlight:
PICKED OFF ❌@PennStateFball gets the ball right back. #B1GFootball on Peacock 💻 pic.twitter.com/CziZqi3jJZ
Rogers overthrows Jeremiah Hunter on a slot fade and this one is getting uglier
Penn State's first two drives: 23 plays, 145 total yards, 4.8 YPC, 4-4 on third down, 14 points. Ugly.
The scoring play: PSU tight end Tyler Warren takes a direct snap, rushes up the middle and jumps over the line to get into the end zone for the Nittany Lions’ second touchdown.
The drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:28.
The story: The Huskies are already in the danger zone a bit here early in the second quarter, with no sign of being able to stop Penn State’s offense.
The score: Penn State 14, Washington 0. 9:22 left in 2Q.
The highlight:
Tyler Warren does it all for @PennStateFball 🙌#B1GFootball on Peacock 💻 pic.twitter.com/3qmO6WYSvW
Wildcat Warren
Tyler Warren gets the direct snap and hurdles the offensive line from two yards out to extend Penn State's lead
Sagapolu, Bruener and Valdez almost kept Warren out but its not quite enough
14-0 Penn State | 9:22 2Q
Looks like safety Vince Holmes is playing nickel with Shaw shifting outside to replace Dixon
Dyson McCutcheon, UW's second nickel behind Shaw, was also questionable today
Washington trails by a touchdown after one quarter, but the loss of senior cornerback Thaddeus Dixon to a targeting penalty was the biggest moment of the first quarter.
UW’s best chance to score came on its first drive, but junior Grady Gross hit his 45-yard field goal attempt — the same distance he converted in the rain against USC — off the uprights. Washington’s offensive line is also having a hard time dealing with Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, who’s gotten off to a nice start dueling with UW running back Jonah Coleman.
Penn State leads Washington 7-0 through one quarter.
The Nittany Lions face third-and-6 at their 24 when the second quarter begins.
Jordan Shaw back out there at outside corner in place of Dixon
The drive: 6 plays, 11 yards, 2:57.
The story: The Huskies gained one first down, but Will Rogers was sacked on second-and-5 at the UW 43, losing 7 yards. After not taking a sack last week against USC, Rogers has already taken two through two drives.
Next possession: Penn State starts at own 20.
Time left: 0:50 in 1Q.
Tough blow early for Washington, as senior cornerback Thaddeus Dixon was ejected for targeting while trying to contain a Penn State end-around by wide receiver Omari Evans.
Dixon, who’s been UW’s best cornerback this season, was replaced by junior nickelback Jordan Shaw. Junior Elijah Jackson, normally UW’s third cornerback, was listed as questionable today but went through warmups.
Dixon will be available against UCLA next week because the targeting occurred in the first half.
The scoring play: Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula keeps and rushes to the left for an 8-yard touchdown to get the scoring started.
The drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:00.
The story: The loss of Thaddeus Dixon to a targeting call is the story on this drive. That’s a huge loss for the UW defense, especially after Penn State’s ability to efficiently drive down the field for a touchdown on its opening drive.
The score: Penn State 7, Washington 0. 3:48 left in 1Q.
The highlight:
Penn State strikes first 👀 @PennStateFball #B1GFootball on Peacock 💻 pic.twitter.com/AbgT69XR98
The recipe for a road upset most certainly does not include a missed field goal, a key starter ejected for targeting, and a 72-yard Penn State touchdown drive to begin the game in Happy Valley.
Big mountain to climb.
Targeting is confirmed
Dixon is disqualified. Brutal loss for Washington as Dixon's been the best CB on the team
Jordan Shaw playing outside now. Elijah Jackson, UW's CB3, was questionable today https://t.co/jul4eyjVUm
Thad Dixon makes a big tackle to contain and end around but now its going to review for targeting
The drive: 13 plays, 42 yards, 7:04.
The story: The Huskies were aided by a defensive-holding call on third down at the UW 38 but put together a great drive otherwise with a nice pass-rush balance. Jonah Coleman lost 6 yards on third-and-four at the Penn State 22, though, forcing a 45-yard field-goal attempt that Grady Gross missed with a doink off the right uprights.
Next possession: Penn State starts at own 28.
Time left: 7:48 in 1Q.
Grady Gross, who hit a 45-yard field goal against USC last week, hits the right upright from 45 to end UW's first drive
Nice stiff arm there by Jonah Coleman on projected first-round edge rusher Abdul Carter
The Huskies will start with the ball at its 30-yard line after Penn State won the coin toss and deferred.
Can confirm the press box shook
It’s White Out time. @UW_Football receives the kick pic.twitter.com/V9oeU28Opj
The “white out” doesn’t disappoint. pic.twitter.com/lRdSZx56JO
UW defensive backs Elijah Jackson and Dyson McCutcheon are listed questionable on UW's availability report against Penn State
Zach Durfee (toe) is out, as expected
No other real surprises
T-2.5 hours pic.twitter.com/jFWenOSjGJ
It’s big. pic.twitter.com/FiaKRC2J0h
Keri DeGraaf was visiting family in Switzerland, nearly 5,200 miles away, when she found out Kalen DeBoer was leaving for Alabama. She was, understandably, panicked.
The coach whom she’d just entrusted the wellness of her 17-year-old son, Decker DeGraaf, to was exiting just two weeks after she’d left him in Seattle. Her son, who should’ve been finishing his senior year in high school, was now all alone in a city hundreds of miles away from the DeGraaf’s home in San Dimas, Calif.
“I had all the feels,” Keri said. “I was nervous. I was sad. I was scared. … I felt so far away.”
The one person who wasn’t worried, Keri said, was her son.
“It was an easy decision to stay,” Decker said.
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Football is where “best” and “most valuable” can be particularly difficult to discern. In hoops, where everyone on the court has the same access to the ball, the two typically go hand in hand. Perhaps hockey can spark debate between skaters and goalies, as can baseball with pitchers and position players.
But on the gridiron, where 22 people have different responsibilities and are on the field only half the game? This one’s tough.
Enter Washington running back Jonah Coleman.
It’s rare these days that a ball carrier will have more value to an offense than any quality quarterback. And when Huskies signal caller Will Rogers has time to throw, he’s one of the more efficient passers in college football.
UW linebacker Carson Bruener, meanwhile, was just named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his 12-tackle, two-interception game in last Saturday’s win over USC. But in terms of consistent impact and ownership of his position — has there been any Husky better than Coleman?
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This season, Penn State has thrown for 2,016 total passing yards. Fifth-year tight end Tyler Warren is directly responsible for 632 of them.
A 6-foot-6, 261-pound Mechanicsville, Va., native, Warren has arguably been the best tight end in the country. He’s Penn State’s leading receiver with 27 more catches and 211 more yards than junior wide receiver Harrison Wallace III. Only Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. and Ball State’s Tanner Koziol have more receiving yards among FBS tight ends this season.
Warren is prolific in the short-to-intermediate passing range. According to Pro Football Focus, his average depth of target is just 6.2 yards this season and the Nittany Lions throw a significant amount of tight-end screens. He’s also averaging nearly 7 yards after the catch per reception.
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The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.
