SPRING FOOTBALL: KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM DAWGS
Updated: Oct 31
AFTER DARK
A Night to Remember: Dawgs After Dark Lights Up Husky Stadium
The Washington Huskies wrapped up their spring practice schedule in style, hosting the third annual Dawgs After Dark, a free-admission event that transformed Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium into a genuine celebration of the program and its devoted fan base.
Well before kickoff, the atmosphere was already electric: two freshly minted NFL draftees had returned to their college home as honorary head coaches. Wide receiver Denzel Boston, selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, led the Purple team, while his former teammate running back Jonah Coleman, chosen by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round, took command of the Gold squad. Their presence added a special dimension to the evening, a living reminder of the pipeline this program is steadily building toward the professional level.
For those new to college football, the Spring Game is a tradition marking the end of spring practices. It serves as a showcase for new recruits, transfer portal additions, and depth players who rarely get the spotlight during the regular season. Between plays, players took the time to sign autographs and share moments with young fans in the stands, spreading genuine smiles throughout the stadium. Friday's event delivered on every front.
Jedd Fisch at the Controls
One of the most significant storylines heading into the 2026 season concerns not a player, but the sideline itself.
Since February, it has been confirmed that head coach Jedd Fisch will not be hiring a new offensive coordinator. He will call plays himself, a role he has held throughout his tenure at both Arizona and Washington. Fisch is deeply immersed in the offensive system and intends to be the primary architect of every drive this fall.
First Quarter: Defense Sets the Tone. Gold 7-0
The game opened with the Gold team in possession, and it quickly became apparent that the defense had arrived ready to compete.
On Purple's first offensive series, starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr., dressed head to toe in black alongside second-string Elijah Brown with their untouchable status signaled to all, struggled immediately to find his rhythm. His second pass of the night drifted behind its intended target Rashid Williams, and sophomore cornerback Dylan Robinson made a sharp diving interception to hand possession right back to Gold.
Robinson then turned the game's opening moments into a personal statement. When freshman wide receiver Mason James, number 6, badly misread a punt with the ball slipping clean through his hands and bouncing off his knee into the end zone, it was Robinson who pounced on the loose ball for a touchdown. Within the game's first quarter, the young cornerback had already made his presence felt twice. Gold led 7-0, and the defense was firmly in control.
Offenses Search for Rhythm. Williams Delivers at the Half: 10-10
Both Demond Williams Jr. and Elijah Brown showed visible synchronization issues with their receivers throughout the first half, a natural growing pain for a quarterback group still building chemistry with a reshuffled corps of pass-catchers. The offense stalled repeatedly, and for long stretches the evening looked as though it might belong entirely to the defense.
But Williams is not a quarterback who stays down for long. He strung together the drive of the half with a sharp back-shoulder throw to freshman wide receiver Jordan Clay along the sideline, before uncorking a 43-yard strike down the middle to Rashid Williams, who split the defense wide open for the touchdown. The score was tied 10-10, and the crowd erupted.
Is Rashid Williams the number-one receiver for this Huskies offense in 2026? After Friday night, it is hard to argue otherwise. With Denzel Boston now in Cleveland, someone needs to step into that alpha role, and Rashid Williams is making a compelling case with every catch.
Wildcat Backfires. Paul Mencke Jr. Intercepts
In a creative wrinkle that ultimately backfired, the coaching staff deployed tight end Baron Naone at quarterback in a wildcat formation. Naone immediately looked deep downfield, but the pass was underthrown and safety Paul Mencke Jr. was waiting underneath, hauling in the interception. A reminder that spring football is as much a laboratory of experimentation as it is a showcase of execution, with a little bit of fun on top.
Second Half: Kini McMillan Takes Over. Purple Pulls Away 20-10
To open the second half, third-string quarterback Treston 'Kini' McMillan, a Hawaiian signal-caller with a dynamic skill set, took the reins of the Purple offense and immediately changed the energy on the field. McMillan is not a quarterback who accepts a negative play. He extended drives with his legs, picking up first downs on the ground and lowering his shoulder to finish runs through contact, carrying none of the protective status enjoyed by the starters.
The drive culminated with redshirt freshman running back Julian McMahan punching it in from one yard out up the middle, giving Purple a 20-10 lead.
Running back Ansu Sanoe also turned heads with a powerful carry that broke multiple tackles and moved the chains, showcasing the physical dimension the Huskies' ground game could bring to Big Ten defenses this fall.
The Robinsons Own the Night. Donovan's Pick-Six Seals It
Dylan Robinson had already stamped his name on this game twice, with a diving interception and a touchdown recovery on the muffed punt.
Then freshman linebacker Donovan Robinson Jr. took over. With the sun setting slowly behind the Seattle mountains, he read a Derek Zammit pass perfectly, ripped the ball out of a receiver's hands mid-route, and tiptoed up the sideline for a 56-yard pick-six that brought Husky Stadium roaring to its feet. Purple 27, Gold 10. Game over.
On this Friday night, it was clear: if your name is Robinson, you make offenses pay.
A Program that will need to find it’s stride
As the lights dimmed over Husky Stadium and players spilled onto the field to greet the fans one final time, the mood was unmistakably optimistic. The offense is still finding its identity under Fisch's direct guidance, but the talent is undeniable. Rashid Williams is a genuine playmaker. Kini McMillan is a wildcard who keeps defenses honest. Freshmen like Ansu Sanoe and Gavin Day showed they are ready to contribute immediately.
The defense, however, could very well be the big story of 2026. Deep at linebacker, physical in the trenches, and opportunistic in the secondary, this unit has the look of something special. With a full offseason ahead of them and key players returning to full health for fall camp, the Washington Huskies have every reason to believe that U-Dub will once again have the tools to compete in the Big Ten. The foundation is set. The talent is here. Go Dawgs!
