SEATTLE — Washington’s bid to shock the college football world came up short Saturday night as the Huskies fell 24–6 to top-ranked Ohio State. The score tells one story — the end of UW’s 22-game home winning streak — but the game itself revealed both the gaps and the growth within Jedd Fisch’s program.
For nearly a half, Husky Stadium buzzed with the feeling of an upset. Washington led 3–0 and had Ohio State looking uneasy before the Buckeyes settled in. The turning point came late in the second quarter, when a gutsy fake field goal call backfired. The Huskies had a chance to extend their lead, but instead handed momentum to a Buckeyes team too polished to be given extra life. Moments later, quarterback Julian Sayin delivered a strike to Jeremiah Smith for an 18-yard touchdown that put Ohio State ahead for good.
Sayin, making his first true road start, looked every bit the part of a top quarterback. He finished 22-of-28 for 208 yards and two scores, spreading the ball with poise and never turning it over. Washington’s defense pressured him at times but couldn’t contain him on third down, where the Buckeyes converted six of ten opportunities.
For Washington, the story was missed chances. Demond Williams Jr. was accurate and efficient, completing 82 percent of his passes for 173 yards, but he never found the end zone. Too often, the Huskies moved the ball only to stall near scoring range. Three drives reached the Buckeyes’ 30-yard line; all ended in field goals or empty. A 1-for-11 mark on third down sealed their fate. Running back Jonah Coleman fought hard for 70 yards on 13 carries, but the ground game couldn’t break Ohio State’s front.
The frustration was compounded by red zone struggles — a problem that has followed Washington since last season. Against the best defense in the nation, those shortcomings were exposed once again.
Still, the Huskies showed signs that this is not the same team of a year ago. Williams continued to prove he can command the offense, staying calm under constant pressure. Freshman receiver Dezmen Roebuck once again showed he can be a reliable second option, and the offensive line, while beaten at times, has been far steadier than in previous seasons.
Defensively, Washington forced Ohio State into uncomfortable spots early, keeping the game within reach into the second half. The effort was not enough to overcome the Buckeyes’ balance, but it was far from a collapse.
The end of the home winning streak hurts, but it also resets expectations. Beating a program like Ohio State this early in the rebuild was always a long shot. What matters more is how the Huskies respond. With Maryland and Rutgers up next, Washington has a chance to sharpen its third-down execution, finish drives in the red zone, and steady its footing in Big Ten play.
This was a measuring-stick game, and the measure is clear: Washington isn’t at Ohio State’s level — yet. But the program is moving in the right direction. If the Huskies can turn near-misses into touchdowns and smooth out in-game decision-making, they’ll remain a dangerous team as the season unfolds.
