The Washington Huskies needed to make a pretty significant change in the second half of their win over the UCLA Bruins last Friday night. Even though starting quarterback Will Rogers helped build an early 14-3 lead over the Bruins, the Huskies needed to make a change at quarterback.
Jedd Fisch and the Huskies turned to freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. in the second half after that 14-3 lead late in the second quarter was chiseled into a 14-13 lead over the Bruins early in the third quarter. Rogers hit a rough patch, tossed a couple of interceptions, had a pick overturned thanks to a penalty, and the offense had been quieted.
With Williams operating the offense, the Huskies were able to score 17 unanswered points that were crucial and helped Washington secure a spot in a bowl game.
Jedd Fisch praises his quarterbacks after Washington Huskies get bowl eligibility-clinching win against UCLA Bruins on Friday
And the head coach of the Huskies was certainly grateful for the performance from the young quarterback.
"Really proud of Demond coming in and leading us on to 17 points and three drives that he had in the second half," Fisch said in his postgame press conference.
That second half surge was huge and it should not be ignored. But, interestingly enough, Fisch also took the chance to thank his senior quarterback for the way that he performed early on in the game (before UCLA’s defense figured him out).
"I thought that we started game well, thought Will did a nice job there getting us to the 14, and then things were just not going as well as I would have liked to,” Fisch explained. “I thought it was the right time to give Demond that opportunity."
The change at quarterback is going to make things interesting as Washington wraps up the season. With the bye week this week and a road trip to the top-ranked Oregon Ducks on the horizon, Fisch and the Huskies will need to make the choice that gives them the best chance of winning and spoiling Oregon’s season.
Thankfully, UW won’t have to worry about bowl eligibility at this point. That’s been secured. But, the next two weeks will be interesting.