SEATTLE, WA — Washington finally found its offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter Saturday night. By then, Minnesota had built just enough of a cushion to withstand the Huskies’ charge.
Demond Williams Jr. accounted for three touchdowns as No. 23 Washington rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit before falling 27-24 to Minnesota at Husky Stadium in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
The loss dropped Washington to 3-1 after opening the season with three straight home victories.
Williams passed for 239 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another score, but two first-half interceptions helped Minnesota build an early advantage. The Golden Gophers also sacked Williams seven times and limited Washington to 40 rushing yards.
“Yeah, that’s just a play I made the first three weeks of the season,” Williams said of his first interception. “I take that 100%; I just got to be smarter in that situation.”
Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey threw three first-half touchdown passes as the Gophers took a 21-10 advantage into halftime.
Washington’s first touchdown came when Williams found Dezmen Roebuck for a 16-yard score early in the second quarter. Roebuck finished with seven receptions for 87 yards.
The Huskies trailed 24-10 entering the fourth before their defense provided the opening they needed. Taariq Al-Uqdah intercepted Lindsey, and Washington responded with its best offensive possession of the night.
Williams connected on a pair of 26-yard passes before escaping pressure on fourth-and-5 and finding Baron Naone for a 15-yard touchdown, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 24-17.
The Gophers answered with Luke Drzewiecki’s 51-yard field goal, but Washington wasn’t finished.
Williams directed a six-play, 54-yard drive and scored on a 13-yard run with 1:53 remaining, pulling the Huskies within 27-24. Washington’s comeback ended when Minnesota recovered the ensuing onside kick.
The Huskies finished with 279 yards and converted just 1 of 10 third downs, two numbers that made their late comeback considerably more difficult.
“I think that all our goals are still in front of us,” Williams said. “We have a whole lot of ball to play, a whole lot of good teams to play still.”
Washington now leaves Husky Stadium for the first time this season with little time to dwell on its first loss. The Huskies travel to Los Angeles to face No. 18 USC on Saturday in another Big Ten matchup.
