Demond Williams Jr. and his receivers took time to get going, but looked solid when they did.
SEATTLE — The No. 17 Washington Huskies football team began the 2026-27 season as winners after a 24-10 victory in the 118th Apple Cup against the Washington State Cougars on Sunday at Husky Stadium.
The Huskies were satisfied to come out with a win against their cross-state rivals, but the nature of the game wasn't something the team was wholly satisfied with.
Washington was only able to muster 10 points in the first three quarters, and the team committed 12 penalties totaling 130 yards.
The offense was able to pick things up in the final quarter of the game, but the slow start was noticeable, and encapsulated between third-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and his wide receivers.
At halftime, Williams had completed 13-of-21 pass attempts for 108 yards. The only score for the Huskies to that point was on a quarterback keeper. Fourth-year wide receiver Rashid Williams had one catch for 29 yards and second-year wide receiver Chris Lawson had one catch for six yards.
Demond Williams finished the game 24-for-35 for 268 yards and a touchdown and added another 61 yards on the ground. Rashid Williams finished the game with three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown and Lawson reeled in four passes for a game-high 87 yards.
"I think (we're) just getting a feel for it," Williams said after the game Sunday. "Obviously, new team, first game, rivalry, all the things that's a little bit unique to game today, playing on Sunday. ... But obviously that's no excuse. We came out and we didn't play the way we wanted to in the first half. But, ended up responding in the second half and shout out to those guys making huge plays at huge times."
It didn't help that the third-year signal caller and the rest of the offense was without sixth-year wide receiver Christian Moss, who exited the game after the first drive due to an undisclosed injury. Lawson stepped into that role and made a 29-yard catch in the fourth quarter, which set Rashid Williams up for a 44-yard reception and a 1-yard touchdown two plays later.
There was no update on Moss' health following the game.
The fourth quarter was a sample size on what UW's quarterback-to-receiver connection can do at its best, but the first three quarters are also a harsh reminder of how lethargic that same connection can be when it's unable to get going.
