Washington Huskies Suffer Another Key Injury in Loss to No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes

SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies football team suffered one of the worst losses of the Jedd Fisch era in a 41-24 defeat at the hands of the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday at Husky Stadium.

The Huskies were outmatched in every facet of the game Friday and were outscored 27-0 before finding their first points on a 30-yard field goal in the second-to-last drive of the game.

That same drive saw third-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr. go down with an injury.

An article from Seattle Times reporter Andy Yamashita said Williams was being evaluated for a rib injury and potential concussion.

Fisch was unable to provide an injury update for Williams after the game and was unable to give a certain answer on his status for UW's next game against the Purdue Boilermakers on Oct. 16. Per Fisch's postgame news conference, the team looks to have suffered another key injury, as well.

"I believe, other than Xe'ree Alexander, who has a high ankle sprain, I can't think of any other significant injuries that happened during the game," Fisch said Friday. "I think there were some things that we can work through and will work through for the week going to Purdue on Friday."

Alexander was in a boot and on crutches towards the end of the game.

Alexander, a fourth-year linebacker, has been a consistent contributor on the defense and has been part of a typically-stellar room that includes fifth-year Jacob Manu, second-year Zaydrius Rainey-Sale and fifth-year Buddah Al-Uqdah.

Based on the severity of the injury, Alexander would be out for roughly a month-and-a-half to three months. There are six games left on the regular season schedule, which would place his return somewhere towards the end of the season or render him unavailable for the rest of the year. Alexander is up for a fifth year of eligibility due to the the NCAA's new "5-for-5" rules.

In Alexander's stead, second-year linebacker Donovan Robinson Jr., who was one of the team's best performers of spring practice and the offseason, will likely take over some of the snaps vacated by the injury.

Alexander transferred to Washington ahead of the 2025 season after two seasons with Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team, the Idaho Vandals, and one year with Big 12 side, the Central Florida Knights.

Alexander progressively earned more reps as last season went on. He finished '25 with 70 total tackles (41 solo), including five tackles for loss, one sack, four passes defended and an interception. He was named the defensive MVP in the team's Los Angeles Bowl win against the Boise State Broncos.

This season, Alexander has 19 total tackles (10 solo), including a half-tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery.