Halftime recap: Washington in a bruising dogfight with No. 23 Illinois

In a must-win game for both Washington and No. 23 Illinois, it was inevitable that both teams would come into a rainy Husky Stadium with a sense of urgency and desperation. Both have favorable schedules after this late-October matchup, and a win today will put them in the driver’s seat for their CFP hopes.

From the opening kickoff, it was clear neither team planned to blink first.

With offensive linemen John Mills and Carver Willis returning to action from injury, the Huskies marched down the field on the game’s opening possession. A 10-play, 75-yard drive was capped off by a beautiful throw-and-catch by Demond Williams Jr. and Dezmen Roebuck, as Williams escaped danger and made a touchdown out of nothing on third-and-goal to go up 7-0.

A good return plus a Washington penalty set up Illinois with great field position on its ensuing offensive possession. Washington’s defense responded by bending, but not breaking — holding the Illini to a field goal despite a promising drive being put together. 7-3 Huskies.

The Huskies proceeded to repeat what they did on their first drive, carving up the Illini defense with chunk plays before Williams and Roebuck once again connected for a touchdown to go up 14-3.

Illinois survived four third downs to inch its way down the field following Washington’s second score, finding the end zone to make it 14-10. It was the Illini’s longest drive this season, eight minutes and 20 seconds.

A drop by tight end Decker DeGraaf caused Washington to fail to convert on its own following third down, giving the Illini the ball back with a chance to take the lead.

Illinois marched the ball into the red zone, and then the referees got involved. First, an unnecessary roughness penalty on Illinois center Josh Kruetz costed the Illini 15 yards to set up a 2nd-and-20. On the next play, a questionable pass interference call on cornerback Tacario Davis negated a Huskies interception in the end zone, setting up first-and-goal for the Illini that they capitalized on with another Luke Altymer passing touchdown. 17-14 Illini.

Washington would get a two-minute drill to close out the half, scoring points a necessity with Illinois set to receive the opening kickoff to begin the second half. The Huskies only needed about one minute, as the trio of Williams, Denzel Boston, and Jonah Coleman again asserting dominance to score a touchdown to take a 21-17 lead.

The scoring play came on a brilliant trick play, as Williams threw the ball backwards to Boston, who then passed to a wide-open Coleman on the other side of the field for a 12-yard strike.

This is anyone's game going into the third quarter, and with both offenses firing on all cylinders, it will be decided by which defense steps up.