The Washington Huskies storm back from down 20 to secure their first-ever Big Ten conference road win.
The Huskies outscored the Maryland Terrapins 24-0 in the final 17 minutes of the game. Both the offensive and defensive coaching staffs made the right adjustments in the second half, and the players executed at a high level to come out of the nation’s capital with a win.
Quarterback:
For most of the game, Demond Williams Jr. looked rough. He threw his first interception of the season, which led to immediate points for Maryland. After another quick punt, the Huskies were already down 10-0. Throughout the entire first half, Williams Jr. consistently missed open receivers and showed indecision when deciding whether to escape the pocket. It was easily the worst half of football in his young career.
He showed signs of life early in the second half. After missing high on a pass to Denzel Boston in the third quarter, he was nearly flawless for the rest of the game. His biggest highlight was a 35-yard bomb to Dezmen Roebuck for a touchdown. He was efficient in the pocket and escaped pressure for positive yardage, keeping Maryland’s defense off-balance the rest of the way.
Grade: C+
Receiver:
It finally came together for the receiving corps. While they did a better job getting open in the first half, Williams was unable to connect. The second half told a very different story. Denzel Boston, Dezmen Roebuck, and tight end Decker DeGraaf all came to life and helped lead the Huskies back from the brink.
Boston took over against cornerback Dontay Joyner, who was flagged for a questionable taunting penalty. Boston capitalized on Joyner’s frustration by beating him on a slant route for the Huskies’ first touchdown. Roebuck continued to showcase his ability to get open downfield.
Grade: B
Running Back:
Jonah Coleman was vastly underutilized in the first half. The most noticeable adjustment the coaching staff made was getting the ball into #1’s hands more frequently. They involved him in the screen game and increased his carries, allowing the offense to begin wearing down the Terps’ defense.
Coleman was also effective in pass protection, playing a key role in the offense finally finding its rhythm.
Grade: B+
Offensive Line:
This was a rough outing for the offensive line. Maryland defenders were all over Demond Williams Jr. early and often. The absence of Carver Willis was noticeable, as Maryland’s edge rushers were able to create consistent pressure.
The interior of the line also struggled in the first half, failing to open running lanes for Coleman. However, the unit improved in the second half, gradually wearing down Maryland’s front seven. The second-half performance is the standard they’ll need moving forward—especially if Willis remains sidelined.
Grade: D+
