Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. got his first opportunity to give Washington Huskies fans a glimpse into the potential future at the position in the team’s 35-3 victory over Weber State. Late in the third quarter, with the Huskies up 28-3, coach Jedd Fisch decided to lift starter Will Rogers in favor of the freshman, who didn’t disappoint in his college debut.
Williams finished 3 for 5 for 28 yards passing and a touchdown while adding 3 carries for 17 yards. As a passer, the former four-star recruit displayed exciting arm talent and an advanced understanding of Fisch’s system while working with a mix of starters and backups, including wide receivers Denzel Boston and Jeremiah Hunter.
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As a runner, Williams displayed electricity that Washington hasn’t had in the backfield since Keith Price. Even in his first college game, he didn’t seem fazed by any pressure in the backfield and kept his eyes downfield the entire time he was scrambling.
This shouldn’t be the last time Williams sees the field this season either, as Fisch slightly tipped his hand on what the plan will be for the freshman going forward.
“It was score-based,” Fisch said on Saturday when asked what the plan was to integrate Williams into the game. “We got to a point where I felt like we were in control of the game, and I wasn’t concerned about the outcome. At the end of the third quarter, we tried to get him in; it worked out well, it was great to get him a drive and a touchdown pass.”
That touchdown pass made history for Williams, who became the first true freshman to throw for a score in Washington’s season opener in 1945. And it looks like there are plenty more where that came from.
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