Washington’s true freshmen have already become part of the story, and the numbers say it plainly. Through three games, the Huskies have leaned on first-years in real ways on both sides of the ball, piling up production while heading into Saturday’s Big Ten opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Washington will be 3-0 entering the 8 p.m. PT matchup at Husky Stadium in Seattle, and that start has come with a roster that mixes veteran presence with a wave of youth.
Some of the young contributors are second-year players finally getting their first extended run, including cornerback Dylan Robinson and wide receiver Chris Lawson. But the first-year group has been impossible to miss.
According to a post on "X" shared by the Huskies' official account, true freshmen have logged 729 snaps, made 13 starts and scored four touchdowns. That impact has shown up in a few different places.
The freshman running back duo of Brian Bonner and Ansu Sanoe has combined for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while fellow freshman left tackle Kodi Greene has helped set the tone up front. At receiver, Mason James, Trez Davis and Jordan Clay have put together 15 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
The freshmen have also chipped in on defense. That group has accounted for 17 total tackles, two takeaways, three tackles for loss and two quarterback pressures. Among the names making noise there are cornerback Jeron Jones, defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa and edge rusher Ramzak Fruean.
Some of those roles were forced by circumstance, and Washington has had to adjust on the fly. Bonner and Sanoe moved into starter and backup duties because starter and second-year running back Quaid Carr and fourth-year No. 2 tailback Jayden Limar were injured. James, Clay and Davis saw their opportunities grow after a long-term injury to sixth-year receiver Christian Moss, who will be out two-to-three months.
Others were always headed for major work. Greene, Fruean, Jones and Colman-Brusa were expected to be in the mix from the start, and all four have earned significant roles.
Fruean, Greene and Colman-Brusa won starting jobs outright. Jones split nickelback reps with third year Rahshawn Clark in the first two weeks before shifting outside last week against the Eastern Washington Eagles because fourth-year cornerback Emmanuel Karnley was injured.
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Washington Looked Sharp In One Win That Still Raised Two Concerns
Washingtons non-conference win over an FCS opponent gave the Huskies plenty to like on film. They piled up 546 total yards and averaged 8.8 yards per play, with Demond Williams looking poised in command of the offense, showing good anticipation and letting the receivers and tight ends do much of the damage. The passing game produced several touchdowns and explosive plays, while the defense did its part by limiting the opponents scoring and yardage with solid work up front and in coverage.
Even with the comfortable final result, the performance was not spotless. The rushing attack was less efficient than the rest of the night, which left some balance questions for a team trying to sharpen its offense before tougher tests arrive. There were also signs that discipline and protection will need cleaning up, leaving Washington with a win that looked convincing on the surface but still offered a few reminders of what has to improve. [Read more 🡒]
Washington May Get A Key Defensive Boost At Crucial Time
Washingtons defense has managed to hold up despite being shorthanded, with other players stepping in and keeping the unit steady through the absence of a couple of key pieces. Now the Huskies are set to get a notable lift for their next matchup with Minnesota, as fourth-year defensive tackle Elinneus Davis is expected to be back after sitting out with a calf injury.
The same cant yet be said for cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, whose status remains up in the air after a soft tissue injury. For a defense that has already shown it can function without him, the question now is whether the Huskies can get one important reinforcement back while waiting to see if another arrives in time for a crucial stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Opens Big Ten Play With More On The Line Than Usual
Washingtons first Big Ten game at Husky Stadium brings a little more weight than a typical conference opener, and not just because the league switch has changed the stakes for the program. Minnesota comes in as a familiar but infrequent opponent, with the schools having crossed paths 17 times over the years, and the meeting adds another layer to a matchup that already carries some historical texture for both sides.
Jedd Fisch has made clear he respects what P.J. Fleck has built in Minneapolis, pointing to the Gophers as a well-coached group that consistently does the little things right. For Washington, that means the opener is about more than settling into a new conference routine, with an old series edge and a fresh Big Ten chapter both quietly hanging over the night. [Read more 🡒]