By Jake Parr, edited by Charles Hamaker

Seattle, WA - For the 100th time in program history, the Washington Husky football team won their home opener, and they did so in resounding fashion. After a back-and-forth first half where the Huskies and Colorado State Rams traded touchdown for touchdown, Washington dominated the second half and cruised to a 17-point win. UW sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was efficient and effective in the passing game, while senior running back Jonah Coleman barged through the Rams like they weren’t there. With over 500 yards of offense and the defensive squad keeping CSU from converting on 10 of their 13 third downs, the Huskies have a solid foundation to build on for the rest of the season.

Pregame scenes ahead of the Washington Husky win over the Colorado State Rams at Husky Stadium on Saturday, August 30th, 2025. (Photos by Sam Hotaling for Circling Seattle Sports)

First Half Stalemate

As is perhaps to be expected from the first game of the season, it was far from a tidy affair. The UW defense was able to coax a three-and-out from CSU to start the game, aided in part by separate false start and illegal formation penalties on the Rams while they were trying to punt. The offense quickly took advantage, and thanks to some magic by Jonah Coleman. Coleman first took a little dump off on 4th and 1 and turned it into a 22 yard gain all the way down to the CSU 28 yard line. He got the ball again two plays later, this time on a rush to the right side that he took all 26 yards to the house. After just four minutes had run down off the game clock, the Huskies had a 7-0 lead.

But Coleman must have inspired CSU freshman RB Jalen Dupree, who was able to shove and barge his way downfield for a total of 39 yards on two plays. It was a simple matter for Senior QB Tahj Bullock to punch in a two yard touchdown to cap off the game-tying drive. That drive also featured an attempted flea flicker play from CSU. Rams head coach Jay Norvell has a penchant for trick plays, and this one almost worked, but Bullock’s pass fell several yards short of his wide-open receiver.

With the game tied, the Huskies and Rams traded punts (UW Junior LB Taariq Al-Uqdah made a huge tackle for a two yard loss on 3rd and 2 to force the CSU punt) until, on a drive that started at their own 12 yard line, Washington charged down the field, with Junior WR Denzel Boston leading the way to the tune of 52 yards on just two receptions. He nearly made it all the way to the endzone on his own, but was brought down at the 1 yard line. No matter, Sophomore RB Adam Mohammed followed up Boston’s spearhead charge with a precision jab for the touchdown.

Frames from the offensive performance in the first half of the Washington Husky win over the Colorado State Rams at Husky Stadium on Saturday, August 30th, 2025. (Photos by Sam Hotaling for Circling Seattle Sports)

The UW defense, invigorated by the restoration of the lead, forced three-and-outs on both of CSU’s next two possessions. But on Washington's next drive, things took a turn for the worst. Some sloppy play is part and parcel of season openers, but that doesn’t make it any less agonizing. While Williams Jr. was looking off to his right and adjusting the positions of his receivers, the center snapped the ball to him. It bounced off his right wrist, and right in front of CSU LB JaQues Evans. The Rams were able to turn that lucky fumble into a touchdown, beating up the Huskies defense with 7 and 10 yard plays. The first half came to an indecisive conclusion with the game tied 14-14.

Sights from the Colorado State offense, that showed well, in the Washington Husky win over the Colorado State Rams at Husky Stadium on Saturday, August 30th, 2025. (Photos by Sam Hotaling for Circling Seattle Sports)

Second Half Surge

The Huskies took full advantage of starting the second half with possession. Thanks to a big 27-yard scramble by Williams Jr. and Sophomore TE Kade Eldridge stamping the paperwork and rushing the last yard, they took a one-touchdown lead for the third time of the game. Yet that lead didn’t last. CSU was able to get a miracle completion on 3rd and 19 for 25 yards, and then picked up a further 12 yards when pass interference was called against UW sophomore CB Leroy Bryant (not for nothing, but this was one of only two times that PI was called tonight, despite some fairly vigorous defending by CB’s all game; the officials were keen on letting the game play out). That drive was capped off with another CSU touchdown, and another tie -- this time at 21-21.

But the Washington offense was now firing on all cylinders. This was best illustrated when the young tight end Mohammed took a little two-yard dump off and took it a third of the way to the endzone himself, all the way to the CSU 38. If you count his 25 yard kickoff return, Mohammed accounted for 61 yards of offense during this answer-back drive. And answer back they did, when Williams Jr. and Boston connected for a 12-yard touchdown reception, despite pass interference on the part of the CSU safety. Boston had a number of remarkable catches tonight, including a couple of shoestring catches that earned first downs for the Huskies.

Wide receiver Denzel Boston’s third quarter touchdown catch in the Washington Husky win over the Colorado State Rams at Husky Stadium on Saturday, August 30th, 2025. (Photos by Sam Hotaling for Circling Seattle Sports)

After CSU’s 3rd and 4 pass was picked off by Senior safety Makell Esteen, Washington spent the first minutes of the fourth quarter marching down to the CSU 6 before stalling out and settling for a field goal. Facing a two-score deficit for the first time all night, CSU head coach Jay Norvell became desperate to force something to happen. A desperate 4th and 10 attempt resulted in a 24 yard gain, but CSU could only gain 3 yards on their next set of downs. Facing 4th and 7, Norvell sent out his field goal unit. But he got too cute and tipped his hand by sending Bullock out in place of their normal holder. Unfazed and undaunted, UW freshman safety Rahshawn Clark charged the quarterback and wrangled Bullock to the ground at midfield. When Coleman followed that turnover up with yet another Washington touchdown, the game was all but over.

***Running back Jonah Coleman is interviewed on the field after the Washington Husky win over the Colorado State Rams at Husky Stadium on Saturday, August 30th, 2025.*** ***(Photos by Sam Hotaling for Circling Seattle Sports)***

What’s Next?

While Washington has some elements of their play to clean up, notably penalties (6 called against them, though just for 34 yards) and preventing the run game, tonight’s three-score win instills confidence in the team, coaches, and fanbase that this Husky team could be something special. Washington exhibited a different kind of energy in the second half. They fought harder on defense, and Williams Jr. and Boston seemed to be physically linked, especially when they connected for a magical touchdown pass at the end of the game, despite vigorous pass interference. After the game, Williams Jr. described the ferocity the team had in the second half, saying “we need to start like that.” If they do so next week, and every week after, they'll be set up to do some serious damage across the Big Ten.

The Huskies stay in town as UC Davis makes the long trip to Husky Stadium next week. Kickoff is scheduled for 8PM PDTT. The game will be available on television on the Big 10 network, and on radio on Seattle’s SportsRadio KJR 93.3 FM.

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Instagram: @CirclingSeattleSports Twitter: @CirclingSports Threads: @CirclingSeattleSports Tiktok: @CirclingSeattleSports Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports BlueSky: @circlingseasports.bsky.social 〰️

Follow our accounts dedicated strictly to University of Washington athletics! Instagram: @CSS_UWHuskies Twitter: @CSS_College

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Follow our accounts dedicated strictly to University of Washington athletics! Instagram: @CSS_UWHuskies Twitter: @CSS_College 〰️

Check out our previous CSS Huskies articles here.
Check out our previous Washington Husky Football articles here.
Check out our previous articles written by Jake Parr here, and his Lookout Landing articles here.
Check out our previous articles with photography by Sam Hotaling here, and his portfolio here.

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