Will true freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. make his first career start for the Washington Huskies against the Oregon Ducks? Or will fifth-year senior Will Rogers make start No. 52 in his college football career?
Jedd Fisch knows, but won’t tip his hand before Saturday’s matchup against the No. 1 team in the country.
“I have a good idea how we’re going to do that,” he said during his Monday press conference. He went on to say that whichever player that is will receive the majority of the snaps with the first-team offense during the week before the Huskies hit the road.
He also took some time to discuss what both quarterbacks bring to the table.
Will Rogers
“I think Will’s experience showed up at practice. [He’s] a guy that has started 51 games, a guy that has understood all the different elements, and a guy that has kind of been able to handle some ups and downs,” Fisch said. “He’s had some adversity in his career when he was at Mississippi State. I think for Will, he certainly was able to take a deep breath and handle it really well this week.”
Rogers brings plenty of experience and chemistry with Washington’s first-team offense to the table and knows how to handle playing on the road, but has struggled over the last month. His limited mobility could prove to be tough to scheme around against Oregon’s defensive line, which ranks No. 4 in the Big Ten with 29 sacks.
Demond Williams Jr.
“On the same token, Demond’s energy and Demond’s confidence showed up,” Fisch said. “His ability to jump right in and feel really good about leading the group whenever it was his turn, he did a really nice job there as well. I think both guys responded well to the week of practice, and now, it’s important for us that the guy we believe will start the game gets a significant amount of reps in practice week.”
Williams’ athleticism and ability to extend plays showed up when he took over for Rogers in Washington’s 31-19 win over UCLA. He also has plenty of arm talent, but asking a true freshman to start his first game on the road against the No. 1 team in the country is a tall task.
No matter who starts, Fisch also left the door open for both quarterbacks to see the field on Saturday.
“As you know, we’re not afraid to play two quarterbacks.”