Quarterback change not enough to prevent blowout loss for Washington against No. 6 Penn State

 STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Beaver Stadium had lost its energy.

Washington faced a third-and-goal from Penn State’s 7-yard line with 14:20 left in the game. The Nittany Lions’ famous “White Out” crowd, once so loud it shook the press box, had quieted. Many fans had already left, their team’s victory all but assured by halftime. Any points Washington scored at that point felt more like a consolation for a young team, led by true freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr., trying to build some confidence.

Williams took the snap, but Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter stormed in unblocked from the edge. Williams was hit and brought down before he could make a play.

The remaining 110,000 fans cheered as the stadium stood silent in its aftermath.

“It’s tough,” said fifth-year linebacker Carson Bruener, who had a team-high 11 tackles. “We didn’t come ready to play.”

Washington's road struggles continued with a 35-6 loss to Penn State, marking the Huskies' largest defeat of the season and their biggest loss since a 53-24 road defeat to Arizona State in 2013.

The Huskies (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) are still one win away from bowl eligibility, with two games left. Washington must win either against UCLA at Husky Stadium on Friday or against No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 30 in Eugene to qualify for a postseason berth.

“Thought our guys competed,” said Washington head coach Jedd Fisch. “We had some opportunities, but overall, they were just the better team tonight.”

Washington was outplayed across all three phases of the game. The offense sputtered early, finishing with just 193 total yards, the fewest since a 2021 loss to Oregon. Fifth-year quarterback Will Rogers threw for just 59 yards and was intercepted, while Williams passed for 60 yards in relief and led the team with 38 rushing yards.

Penn State’s defense dominated, with five sacks and nine tackles for loss. Carter, a projected first-round NFL draft pick, recorded two sacks and four tackles for loss by himself. Washington, already missing starting left tackle Kahlee Tafai due to injury, was limited to 74 rushing yards, averaging just 2.2 yards per carry.

“They’re a well-coached team. They do their job,” said junior running back Jonah Coleman, who rushed for just 24 yards on 11 carries.

The first half was especially brutal for Washington’s offense. Rogers completed 10 of 13 passes but threw an interception to Penn State safety Jaylen Reed. The Huskies managed just 12 rushing yards on 13 carries and only six first downs.

Meanwhile, the defense couldn’t stop Penn State, which scored four touchdowns on its first four drives and racked up 486 yards. Washington allowed a season-high 266 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, with Penn State tight end Tyler Warren scoring twice on wildcat plays.

Bruener took responsibility for the defensive struggles, acknowledging the team’s failure to execute the game plan, fill gaps, and maintain strong man-to-man defense. He said it wasn’t up to their usual defensive standard.

“That’s not our standard on defense,” Bruener said.

Adding to the Huskies' woes, senior cornerback Thaddeus Dixon was ejected for targeting in the first quarter after a tackle on Penn State receiver Omari Evans. Dixon will be available for Washington’s next game against UCLA, as the penalty occurred in the first half. Fisch noted that Dixon was “devastated” by the call.

“We have guys who haven’t started on the road or won on the road in college football,” said Coleman. “It’s tough, but no excuses. We have to be better.”

Washington also struggled in special teams. Junior kicker Grady Gross converted field goals of 24 and 35 yards for the Huskies' only points. However, he missed a 45-yard attempt early on, hitting the uprights on Washington’s first drive. The Huskies also allowed a kickoff-return touchdown to Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton to start the second half, though a holding penalty nullified the score.

The loss left the Huskies with work still to do to earn a bowl game.