The Washington Huskies came out of the 118th Apple Cup with a 24-10 win over Washington State, but the opener carried a cost.
Washington already knows it will be without its top two running backs for a stretch this season. Second-year back Quaid Carr and fourth-year Jayden Limar both suffered injuries in the game, and Carr is scheduled to have surgery.
Then came another blow on Sunday. Starting receiver Christian Moss left after the first drive because of what head coach Jedd Fisch described Monday as a soft-tissue injury.
Moss, a sixth-year wideout who transferred to UW from Kennesaw State, had also missed all of spring practice with a soft-tissue injury. Fisch said he could not confirm whether this was the same issue and did not get into specifics.
That opens the door for Chris Lawson, and the second-year receiver looks ready for it.
Lawson will slide into the starting "X" spot with Moss out, and Fisch said he can also move around the offense because he is capable of playing all three receiver positions in the system. On Sunday, Lawson filled in for Moss and led Washington in receiving, catching four passes for a team-best 87 yards.
Fisch also said true freshman Jordan Clay and third-year receiver Justice Williams should see more chances while Moss is sidelined.
Lawson has been one of the Huskies’ standout performers throughout the offseason and has taken a clear step forward in year two. As a true freshman last season, he caught 10 passes for 115 yards in eight games.
Washington’s offense, led by third-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr., looked much sharper after halftime against Washington State, and Lawson was a big part of that turn. The Huskies will try to build on that in their second game, a 12:30 p.m. PT kickoff Saturday against Utah State at Husky Stadium.
In Other News...
Jacob Manu Is Giving Washingtons Defense A New Ceiling
Saturdays 24-10 win over Washington State offered another look at why Jacob Manu has become such an important part of the Huskies defense. The fifth-year linebacker was everywhere, setting the tone for a unit that kept the Cougars in check and gave Washington another reason to feel good about where the defense is headed. Jedd Fisch singled him out as a player who makes the whole group better, and it is easy to see why when the Huskies are trying to build something sturdier late in the season.
Manus impact has not been limited to tackles or production, either. He also has leaned into the responsibility that comes with being one of the older voices on the defense, especially after a penalty of his own drew attention in the game. Washington wants more consistency and discipline on that side of the ball, and Manu has been willing to own his mistakes while pushing the standard higher. In a defense searching for its ceiling, that kind of presence can matter as much as any single stop. [Read more 🡒]
Washingtons Offensive Line Suddenly Faces Pressure Heading Into Week 2
The Huskies left their opener with a win, but the offensive line did not escape scrutiny. Michael Switzer said the group fell short in the 24-10 victory over Washington State, pointing to penalties and a level of physical play that did not meet the standard he expects. Three linemen were making their first starts, and while the unit settled in as the game went along, the early strain was enough to leave a noticeable mark on a game Washington otherwise controlled.
Now the focus shifts to Utah State, where Washington expects to keep rotating players at right guard while trying to stabilize the front. The lines next test matters even more because the Huskies need that group to help support the running backs, especially with injuries adding pressure to the depth chart. For a unit that already has some learning to do, Week 2 becomes less about easing in and more about showing the sort of consistency the staff is looking for. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Heads Home Facing Early Pressure After Apple Cup Warning Signs
Washington got the Apple Cup win it wanted, 24-10 over Washington State, with Demond Williams Jr. steering the offense and giving the Huskies a steadier look than they had at times in the opener. Still, Jedd Fisch had enough to sort through afterward to know the work is far from finished. He pointed to missed chances and a growing injury list, the kind of cleanup that can matter more in September than the final score suggests.
The concern is not just the short-term bump from one rivalry game, but how Washington holds up as the schedule keeps moving. The Huskies already know they may be heading into the next one without key pieces in the backfield, while upcoming opponent Utah State has its own quarterback uncertainty after McCae Hillstead was hurt in a loss to Idaho State. In a game that should offer Washington a chance to build on the Apple Cup, the margin for comfort feels thinner than it looked on Saturday night. [Read more 🡒]