Washington’s opener against Washington State just got a little more defined.
The Huskies now know the quarterback they’ll see when they kick off the season in the Apple Cup on Sept. 6, with the game set for 1 p.m. PT at Husky Stadium in Seattle. According to a post on "X" from On3 Sports reporter Pete Nakos, the Cougars have settled on Caden Pinnick as their starter.
That gives Washington a clearer picture heading into a nonconference stretch built to stack wins before Big Ten play arrives. The Huskies open the year ranked 17th in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, and their early schedule also includes Utah State on Sept. 12 and Eastern Washington on Sept. 19.
Pinnick arrives in Pullman after a strong season at UC Davis, where he transferred from and put up big numbers for the Aggies. He completed 69.6% of his passes for 3,206 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while also adding 437 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
UC Davis went 9-4 overall and 6-2 in Big Sky play, finishing third in the conference behind Montana State and Montana. The Aggies’ four losses included one against Washington, and that meeting gives the Huskies some useful history against their opener’s new quarterback.
In Week 2 last season, Washington rolled past UC Davis 70-10 for its most lopsided win of the year. Pinnick had a rough afternoon in that game, going 8-for-16 for 50 yards, one touchdown and one interception while being sacked twice. He also ran six times for 17 yards.
Demond Williams Jr. led Washington in that matchup and turned in a sharp all-around performance, finishing 16-for-25 for 254 passing yards and a touchdown, then adding 64 rushing yards and another score. Jonah Coleman also made his presence felt with 15 carries for 111 yards and five touchdowns. Coleman has since been drafted to the NFL's Denver Broncos.
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