Washington quarterback Elijah Brown threw too many interceptions for comfort (three) in his first start with the program. He also threw three touchdowns and totaled 302 yards on 21-of-27 passing. His most important stat is a shiny 1-0 record as a Big Ten starter after a 38-26 win over Purdue.
Demond Williams was in uniform Friday night, but earlier this week it was determined that his injuries were too significant for him to see the field against the Boilermakers. That gave Brown a chance to turn the Huskies’ season around, and he made the most of it.
Brown performed well against Iowa. Being the starter brings a different level of attention, though. Friday evening’s bout with Purdue promised to be a tougher challenge, and it lived up to the billing. Despite that, Brown excelled.
Washington’s offense hasn’t looked as fluid as it did against Purdue in years, largely because Brown fits Jedd Fisch’s scheme better than Demond Williams and Will Rogers. Williams is the more dynamic player, but Brown’s size and confidence let him operate comfortably in the pocket, while Williams has been erratic this season when he’s not scrambling.
While Brown was the headliner, Washington wouldn’t have won this game without its run game coming to life. Trey Cooley had his best game as a Husky, and time will tell whether his fourth-quarter injury keeps him out of any games. He was an entirely different player against Purdue and took advantage of a defense that isn’t great against the run. Cooley ran for 113 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Brian Bonner added 64 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Brown’s gunslinger approach helped UW’s receivers. Dezmen Roebuck reminded the Big Ten he is one of the conference’s better receivers, pulling down five catches for 97 yards and a highlight-reel touchdown grab on a jump ball. Chris Lawson led the way with 103 yards on six catches.
It wasn’t the Huskies’ best night defensively, but they responded when they needed to, plucking two interceptions off Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne. Washington lost the turnover battle comfortably, though, as Cooley and Robinson both fumbled, along with Brown’s three interceptions.
After notching his first Big Ten victory of the season, Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch has a decision to make. Does he give the keys back to Demond Williams on Halloween night against Nebraska, or does he put his faith in Brown? Time will tell.
Washington’s losing streak is over. Now Fisch will look to build a winning one.