UW vs CSU: Huskies Extend Home Dominance By Peter Duncan-Bey, The Facts Newspaper Sportswriter

By Peter Duncan-Bey, The Facts Newspaper Sportswriter

A picturesque night at the coveted Husky Stadium set the stage for the University of Washington Huskies’ season opener. Coming off a 6–7 campaign under head coach Jedd Fisch, the Huskies looked to defend their 20-game home winning streak against Colorado State, fresh off an 8–5 season.

UW won the toss and deferred. The defense made an immediate statement, forcing CSU into a three-and-out. On their first drive, the Huskies leaned on second-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and running back Jonah Coleman, last year’s thousand-yard rusher. A balanced series culminated in fireworks: Williams kept the chains moving with a nine-yard scramble, then hit Coleman on a 22-yard reception before Coleman burst off right tackle for a dazzling 26-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good, UW up 7–0.

CSU responded methodically. Quarterback Dupree mixed in a 19-yard run, and Swiss-army-knife player Bullock contributed a 16-yard pass. Helped by a UW penalty, the Rams reached the two-yard line and punched it in to tie the score.

After trading punts, the Huskies struck again, this time through the air. Williams found Boston for eighteen yards, Roebuck for twenty-three, and again Boston for thirty-nine. Adam Mohammed capped the drive with a one-yard plunge, making it 14–7 UW. CSU’s next possession stalled, but the Rams’ punter flipped field position with a booming 51-yarder to pin UW at its own one. Williams showed composure, escaping danger with a quick strike to Boston and a 29-yard run, but the drive fizzled into another punt.

Momentum shifted when a bad snap ended a promising UW drive, handing CSU a golden opportunity. The Rams capitalized with clutch third- and fourth-down conversions to even things at 14–14 heading into halftime.

Washington wasted no time after the break. Coleman powered runs of nine and ten yards, then Williams scrambled twenty-seven yards to set up tight end Eldridge, lined up at fullback, who barreled in from the one. Huskies back in front, 21–14.

CSU refused to fold. On their next drive, they converted a back-breaking third-and-19 before quarterback Dupree connected with towering six’8” tight end Jaxxon Warren from twenty-seven yards out. Warren, a clear mismatch all night, knotted the score at 21 apiece.

Williams answered with another display of poise and firepower. Facing third-and-12, he delivered a 33-yard strike to Mohammed, then moved the sticks again with his legs. Two plays later, he found Boston in stride for a 12-yard touchdown. UW reclaimed the lead, 28–21.

Two plays into CSU’s next possession, the Huskies’ defense finally seized the moment with an interception. The turnover set up a field goal, stretching the lead to 31–21. The Rams kept pressing, converting multiple fourth downs, but Warren’s heroics were not enough. With Coleman pounding the ground and Williams orchestrating drives, UW pulled away 38–21 to seal its 100th home opener victory and extend its home win streak to twenty-one, second-longest in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), trailing only Georgia's.

Coleman was the workhorse: twenty-three carries, 177 yards, and two touchdowns. Williams dazzled with efficiency—18 of 24 passing for 232 yards and one score, plus sixty-eight rushing yards. His 75 percent completion rate left little doubt about his growth and composure. Boston was a key target, consistently bailing UW out with clutch receptions.

While the Huskies’ offense showed balance, explosiveness, and resilience, the defense revealed cracks. Warren exposed coverage gaps, and CSU’s conversions on long third and fourth downs were troubling signs. Still, the Dawgs proved they can win with firepower while working through issues on the other side of the ball.

Final score: Washington 38, Colorado State 21. The Huskies remain kings at home, but for Fisch and staff, defensive improvement must be the next priority if this team is to contend beyond September.