Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has added another line to his resume in a season that has already asked plenty of him. The third-year Huskies signal-caller was named Thursday as one of the final 15 candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, putting him in the mix for honors that recognize quarterbacks who show excellence on and off the field.
The award also considers character and academic performance, not just what happens between the lines. Williams now joins a list that includes Rocco Becht (Penn State), CJ Carr (Notre Dame), Devon Dampier (Utah), Noah Fifita (Arizona), Kevin Jennings (Southern Methodist), Avery Johnson (Kansas State), Sam Leavitt (LSU), Jayden Maiava (Southern California), Arch Manning (Texas), Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State), Dante Moore (Oregon), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Gunner Stockton (Georgia) and Conner Weigman (Houston).
Williams has put together solid numbers overall in his second season as a full-time starter at Washington. He has completed 67.5% of his passes for 1,327 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions, while also running for 191 yards and two scores on 53 carries. His 22 completions per game rank 15th nationally, and his 1,327 passing yards sit 21st in the country.
But the production has dipped since Big Ten play began. In losses to Minnesota, 27-24, and Southern California, 25-21, Williams completed 61% of his throws for 437 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
He also added 41 rushing yards and a score on 30 carries. In the USC game, he was charged with a third turnover, a fumble that was recovered and returned for a touchdown, which proved to be the go-ahead score.
Washington, now 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten, is still chasing its first conference win. The Huskies also have yet to beat a ranked opponent this season, and they’ll get another shot at both goals Friday at 6 p.m.
PT against No. 20 Iowa at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
The offense has been a work in progress, held back by injuries and inexperience. So while the team keeps searching for answers in league play, its quarterback has at least moved one step closer to a national award.
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Washingtons Big Ten trip to Iowa just got a lot more interesting, and a little more manageable. The Hawkeyes are preparing to go without starting quarterback Hank Brown, who is dealing with an upper-body injury, leaving a key conference matchup in the hands of a much less tested option. For a Huskies team trying to keep its own momentum rolling, any uncertainty at quarterback for the opponent is worth watching closely.
Jeremy Hecklinski is lined up to take over for Iowa, and the situation comes with plenty of stakes on both sides. He has thrown just 32 passes this season, with one touchdown and one interception, while Iowa needs a win to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive. It sets up a game with a very different feel than it had earlier in the week, even if Brown could still be available in an emergency. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Faces A Huge Test As Iowa Matchup Could Change Everything
Washingtons trip to face Iowa comes with the kind of late-week uncertainty that can tilt a game before either team takes the field. The matchup has drawn plenty of attention because of the contrast in styles, the grind of the travel, and the fact that a few analysts see this one coming down to a single possession, with predictions split between a narrow Iowa win and a close Washington victory.
The intrigue only grows when the quarterback and offensive line situations enter the conversation, because both sides have personnel questions that could shape the entire game plan. Washington, in particular, needs its front to hold up and its offense to find some stability if it wants to avoid letting a strong defensive opponent dictate the night, and the range of predictions says plenty about how little margin for error either team has here. [Read more 🡒]