Washington moves to 2-0 with its 30-9 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday afternoon, However, it took until the second quarter before Washington was able to settle in. The Huskies took a 3-0 deficit into the second quarter, failing to find any rhythm offensively in the first fifteen minutes. But the second quarter was when everything changed. Will Rogers III moved his offense with efficiency, ultimately putting the game out of reach before halftime.
Second Quarter Spark
Eastern Michigan took a timeout as Washington lined up for a 4th and 1 at its own 30-yard line. This came with just over ten minutes remaining in the second quarter. At that point, the Huskies had just 61 total yards and three first downs. The team needed a spark, and Jedd Fisch knew this as he sent his offense back out to the field following the stoppage.
On the very next play, Rogers found Giles Jackson moving to the right side of the field. Jackson turned the short-yard reception into a 29-yard gain to the empty far side of the field. All of the sudden, Washington’s offense had a pulse. It hustled to the line of scrimmage where it found another big play on the next snap.
On the ensuing play, Decker DeGraaf caught his second pass as a Husky for his second career touchdown. The true freshman had one reception for a touchdown last week against Weber State. This time, he hauled in a 44-yard pass from Rogers and reached the football across the pylon as he fell to the turf. Washington took a 7-3 lead following the touchdown, but more importantly, the Huskies had finally found their rhythm.
Jedd Fisch’s Decision
Rogers said they tried to quick-snap the defense on that critical 4th and one call. “We had a run play on initially,” Rogers said. Fisch didn’t hesitate with the play call, but Eastern’s timeout forced Fisch to rethink his decision. When they went back out on the field, the call changed to play action. After the game, Fisch told us he asked his defensive coordinator about the play call, “I said, ‘Steve, are you cool with me going for this?’” Belichick responded by saying it was his job as the defensive coordinator to stop them no matter where they got the ball. Fisch said that was the best response he’s ever heard from a defensive coach, and it further solidified his decision.
“I thought Coach Fisch called a really good call for that scenario,” Rogers said postgame. “It’s a good call if it works, it is 4th and one,” he added. The play-action call was a play that they had worked on at practice all week. Fisch said, “I liked the call, I liked the execution of it all week.” The head coach said they have been running variations of that play since Spring ball, and that Rogers was very comfortable with that play. Fisch added that his job as the head coach is not to be the “genius”. Rather, it’s his job to get the ball in his playmakers hands as quickly and efficiently as possible. The rest takes care of itself. That’s exactly what happened in this sequence.
Putting the Game Away
Washington would run 19 plays in the second quarter, averaging 11.8 per snap. The second quarter included a 64-yard run from Jonah Coleman that turned into a Denzel Boston touchdown catch. Coleman finished with 11 carries for 104 yards. One drive later, Washington again found Boston for a touchdown to cap the two-minute drill at the end of the half. Three touchdown drives in the second quarter totaled 227 yards on 17 plays. Two of which took less than 2:00 off of the clock. It was a true display of efficiency and rhythm from the Husky offense in the second quarter. Eastern would not overcome the two-score lead at the half.
Will Rogers’ Performance
Rogers had another veteran performance on Saturday afternoon against Eastern Michigan. He completed 81% of his passes, going 21 of 26. Rogers tossed four touchdowns to three different receivers and took care of the football. He was 17 of 20 in the second and third quarters and showed command of the offense and confidence in his decisions.
Last week Rogers was 20 of 26 passing the football. Against Eastern, he competed 21 of 26. Fisch said that he jokingly told his quarterback that he expect to see 22 of 26 next week. The consistency of the fifth-year transfer from Mississippi State has been great for this offense. Through two games, Rogers has 511 yards, five touchdowns, and, most importantly, zero interceptions.
Special Teams Woes and Wows
Washington had nothing going in the first quarter. It ran just 10 plays for 36 yards and punted the football three times. The Huskies’ first punt of the day was blocked. It gave Eastern Michigan the football at the Washington 32-yard line where it was able to capitalize with a field goal. The Washington special teams unit also had an extra point blocked early in the third quarter. “Too many special teams plays that weren’t very good,” Fisch said. “Can’t have a bad snap on an extra point, can’t have a blocked punt.” Ultimately, these mistakes didn’t cause anything detrimental for Washington. “But we need to be better,” Fisch said.
While Eastern Michigan only scored nine points, Jesus Gomez put his name in the Husky Stadium record books with a 57-yard field goal. The first points of the day gave Eastern a 3-0 lead, and his kick became the second-longest field goal inside Husky Stadium. The longest was a 60-yarder back in 1977. Gomez went three-for-three on the afternoon with makes of 57, 29, and 50. There was never a doubt with any of his kicks.
