Defense Rules Huskies ‘Dawgs After Dark’ Spring Game
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Washington Huskies defensive backs Alex McLaughlin (7) and Rahshawn Clark (2) look on during the “Dawgs After Dark” spring game at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington on Friday, May 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Washington Athletics) [/caption]
SEATTLE, Wash. — It was a beautiful night for some football, even if the football itself wasn’t always a potential pageant winner.
That’s the nature of spring football when a team is expected to have a good defense, as the Washington Huskies plan to roll out when the season begins against Washington State in the Apple Cup on Sept. 5.
With Corgi races, head coach Jedd Fisch playing emcee at times, a few guest kickers and some big plays on defense and offense, Purple got the better of Gold in Friday’s “Dawgs After Dark” spring game, 27-10, at Husky Stadium.
Most importantly, there was some actual football in Friday’s culmination of five weeks of spring football, and no apparent injuries.
“I think it's fun that we're still playing football in front of fans in the spring, which so many people are refusing to do,” said Fisch, referencing the commonality of many programs not holding spring games in modern college football. “So I think we owe it to our fans to do that. I think we owe it to the football universe to keep on the tradition of spring games and be able to give … our kids’ parents the opportunity to go watch their sons play in front of people. Not everybody gets to play Saturdays in the fall, but certainly the spring game gives them an opportunity to go out there and compete.”
Washington’s first-team players were split as evenly as possible among the Purple and Gold teams, though both defenses looked ready to play in games that count. Utilizing mostly “vanilla” schemes, dialing back stunts and blitzes normally employed by defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, most of the big plays were made by defenders on Friday.
Sophomore cornerback Dylan Robinson intercepted a pass and also scooped up a punt muffed by freshman Mason James and scored the game’s first touchdown — the only one score by Gold. Donovan Robinson Jr., a reserve linebacker playing for Purple, picked off freshman quarterback Derek Zammit and raced 40-plus yards the other direction for a touchdown.
“It’s a testament to the guys and how they've prepared, and their assistant coaches have prepared them throughout the course of spring,” Walters said. “From a concept standpoint, we've been able to add a few wrinkles to the package, and guys have handled that well. So I think if we stay healthy, we’ve got a chance to be good.”
One of the bigger mysteries heading into the season has been the defensive line, which returns only one regular (Elinneus Davis) from last 2025. The front seemed to hold up well throughout spring, and on Friday in particular.
“I was very excited and hopeful for that potential and what that would look like, but those guys have exceeded expectations, in my opinion,” Walters said. “I like the depth that we have there.”
True freshman edge Ramzak Fruean and junior edge Hayden Moore registered sacks, and it appeared Davis had one as well. Fruean also popped James in the backfield for a 4-yard loss on an end-around play. Fruean, largely an off-ball linebacker at Bethel High School six months ago, has made the switch to edge cleanly.
"I think Ramzak Fruean's going to be an elite player," Fisch said. "I would expect him to be a huge contributor early and often."
Football-related Fun
It became clear early on that Friday was for fun when sophomore tight end Barone Naone lined up as the Purple quarterback. A few seconds later, it became crystal clear why he’s someone better at catching passes than throwing them. Naone hurled deep, and his off-the-mark throw was picked off by Paul Mencke Jr., a sophomore backup safety who’s made a strong impression during 14 practices this spring leading up to Friday.
Women’s soccer player Maya Loudd and men’s soccer player Carter Gay made guest field goals, and women’s soccer coach Tara Van Dyke also made a kick to the delight of the student section. And “GG” won the halftime Corgi race — which inspired the crowd’s largest reaction.
Williams to Williams
If spring is a sign of things to come this fall, get used to hearing about “Williams to Williams.” After missing most of the 2025 season with injuries, starting “Z” receiver Rashid Williams ended his strong spring with, by my count, four receptions for 64 yards. After a slow start, quarterback Demond Williams Jr. found his receivers for a couple of big plays. True freshman Jordan Clay’s 21-yard sideline grab put Purple across midfield, then it was Williams to Williams for a 43-yard TD to tie the score at 10-10 with 2 minutes to go in the second quarter.
Demond Williams Jr. started by completing just one of five passes for two yards. The junior, who stayed at UW in January after announcing he was entering the portal, finished his evening by completing his last three attempts for 73 yards to finish 4-for-8 for 75 yards. Early, Williams to Williams resulted in an unplanned play. That’s when Dylan Robinson recorded his interception after a ball thrown a bit behind Rashid Williams bounced off his hands and into Robinson’s.
Backups, Quarterbacks Carry Load with Running Backs Out
As is customary, several players were held out of the game for various levels of injuries, including perhaps four of the team’s top five running backs. The game’s leading rushers were not quite who they will likely be in the fall. Disclaimer: No official stats were kept, so my stats, while close, might be off by a yard or two (or seven) here and there.
I had third-string quarterback Kini McMillan with a net of 31 yards on seven attempts, most of which occurred when he led the game’s second and final offensive drive for Purple. The redshirt freshman went 2-for-8 passing. True freshman quarterback Derek Zammit completed just one of seven passes, but rushed for 29 yards. Kyle Brown, the apparent No. 2 quarterback, went 6-for-10 for 28 yards.
Freshman power back Ansu Sanoe had a couple of nice runs, and finished with four rushes for 29 yards. Walk-on running back Ryken Moon rushed five times for 27 yards. Fellow walk-on Beck Walker made the most of his one carry, a 26-yarder.
Quaid Carr, the clear No. 1 this spring, carried the ball just twice for seven yards as the coaching staff looks to keep him healthy for this fall. Oregon transfer Jayden Limar and Troy transfer Trey Cooley missed the entire spring while recovering from surgeries. Jordan Washington, a potential starter, is still in a neck brace after being taken off the field by ambulance early in spring. Freshman Brian Bonner Jr. participated in all other spring practices, but was held out Saturday with what Fisch said was a tight hamstring. Fisch said Washington will be evaluated again in July to determine a “return to play protocol.”
“I think it's gonna be a really big summer for Jayden to get back, for Trey to compete and get back — for us to evaluate where Jordan is, or make a decision there,” Fisch said. “For Quaid to continue to improve, for Ansu and Brian to see what their role could be. But I'm really looking forward to what it looks like when Jayden and Trey get going. But I think Quaid had the best spring by far.”
Other Players Held Out
Several players have held out of team sessions all spring: C Landen Hatchett, OL Kolt Dieterich, TE Kade Eldridge, WR Blaise LaVista, LB Taariq Al-Uqdah, DL Kai McClendon, Edge Russell Davis II, DB Rahshawn Clark, Limar and Cooley.
Others who missed portions of spring ball, by my count, including Friday’s game: OL Geirean Hatchett, WR Chris Lawson, WR Christian Moss, S CJ Christian and Washington.
