SEATTLE - Washington’s first fall scrimmage of training camp offered a little bit of everything Saturday at Husky Stadium: a receiver pushing for a bigger role, a defense making life difficult in live situations and a few health updates that could shape the next stretch of camp.
The Huskies went through their eighth practice of fall training camp and worked through several game-like situations, even if they weren’t operating at full speed or full strength the entire time. Still, the session gave the staff its first real look at how pieces might fit when the season opens against the Washington State Cougars on Sept. 6.
One of the biggest bright spots was second-year wide receiver Chris Lawson, who keeps showing up no matter who is throwing him the ball. With third-year starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and third-year backup Elijah Brown both working with him in practice, Lawson has built a steady case for meaningful snaps.
That carried over into the scrimmage. Lawson hauled in multiple first-down catches and had one of the day’s best plays, a leaping 40-yard catch through contact from first-year cornerback Elijah Durr.
Washington is still sorting out its wide receiver rotation and final starters, but Lawson’s versatility is giving the coaches plenty to think about. He can line up at either outside spot or in the slot.
"Chris is getting better and better," Washington head coach Jedd Fisch said in an interview following the scrimmage Saturday. "The competition at receiver is really becoming better than it's ever been. ...
I love the way Lawson's playing. ... Chris' flexibility at 'z,' at 'x' and at 'f' is a big difference-maker for us."
The backfield also flashed in a way it hadn’t always been able to earlier in camp, when the room was missing bodies. Now that Washington is mostly healthy there, the group has started to show more of what it can do.
Fourth-year Jayden Limar, second-year Quaid Carr and first-year Brian Bonner each had moments Saturday, whether on runs or catch-and-run plays out of the backfield. Right tackle Drew Azzopardi said the added depth has made a difference.
"They're all super talented," Right tackle Drew Azzopardi said after the scrimmage Saturday. "We have a great running back room.
Obviously, we weren't very healthy in the spring. So to have the older guys back like Jayden and (sixth-year Trey Cooley), who've played a lot of college snaps, that helps us for sure.
But we have a lot of depth in the running back room. We have a lot of guys who can play on this team, whether that's Quaid, Jayden, Trey, Brian, (first-year Ansu Sanoe), no matter who it is I'm confident."
The defense, meanwhile, backed up the noise it has been making all offseason. Washington believes that side of the ball can be one of the best in the country, and Saturday’s scrimmage gave that argument some muscle.
There were a few chunk plays mixed in, including a long throw-and-catch between Williams and second-year tight end Baron Naone, but the defense repeatedly answered. Fourth-year safety Alex McLaughlin broke up a pass intended for third-year tight end Decker DeGraaf and later added a sack.
First-year safety Gavin Day picked off a pass in the end zone. Fourth-year cornerback Emmanuel Karnley also turned in a strong play to break up what would have been a highlight-reel catch by sixth-year receiver Christian Moss.
Washington’s defense also came through with multiple third- and fourth-down stops during live-drive and red-zone work.
"I think overall, we have certainly the best depth on the defense since I've been here," Fisch said. "I feel like those guys got a lot of opportunities (tonight)."
There were a few other updates from Fisch after the scrimmage. First-year cornerback Jeron Jones, who has been stepping in for injured second-year cornerback Dylan Robinson, drew praise for what Fisch called "elite defense."
Fisch also said seventh-year right guard Geirean Hatchett, the assumed starter at the position, will be cleared for practice after the scrimmage.
And first-year wide receiver Jordan Clay, who has missed all of training camp so far, should be cleared for Tuesday’s practice, according to Fisch.
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