Although the result was not unexpected, it was still a stinging, bitter loss for the Huskies, as they dropped a rivalry game to Oregon, 26-14. Let’s get to what we learned, for the regular season finale!
Fisch Out of Water
This game was in reach for much of the first 3 quarters, with the defense holding the Ducks to a 20-7 lead going into the fourth. They rose up and met the occasion for the most part, something that couldn’t be said of their unit from a few weeks ago. Sure, they gave up the late 64 yard touchdown that put the game out of reach, but for the most part, the Huskies were right there, in striking distance. The problem is twofold. First, and in my opinion most egregiously is Jedd’s play calling, which has become ever more stale throughout the season. Nowhere did that show up more than in the 4th quarter. On the Husky 32 and needing a conversion, Jedd dialed up a short pass to Denzel Boston, who was short of the line to gain, giving Oregon the ball. Though the Ducks’ turned the ball over on downs, the fact remains that receivers running the ball short of the line to gain almost never works, never mind in a “gotta have it” scenario like the one the Huskies faced. I’m not a play-caller, I never have been, but on 4th and 2, there certainly has to be a better play in the playbook than a Mesh look. At least find somebody past the line! This was an issue last year, and it has since receded. Until this week, which is as bad a time as any! That could’ve been an issue with play calling, or it could’ve been an issue with Demond’s reads. I noticed he was holding onto the ball a bit too long, and was uncharacteristically inefficient. He went 2-7 for 13 yards through the Dawgs’ first 5 drives, and also threw 2 picks. Overall, he finished 15/30 for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns with those 2 picks. Against elite level competition, your Michigans, your Ohio States, and the like, Williams has looked mortal, even below average, and that’s something that he needs to work on as he gets older. But, on this day, he looked like he was off, just a fraction. I think both coach and QB deserve a share of blame for this loss, because it’s not on the defense, even though they gave up those scores.
RB1.5
For the second straight week, Adam Mohammed eclipsed the 100 yard mark on double digit carries, showing more and more why the running back position is in safe hands after Jonah leaves. He showed shiftiness on his cuts, power when he kept running through contact, and above all, he showed what he can be next year!
But what I don’t understand is why the running back of the future only got 14 carries! Starting with a stretch from 7:52 left in the third, when he rushed for a 19 yard gain, Adam didn’t record a carry until 14:42 left in the 4th. I get it’s about the rotation of your freshest guys, but Adam had the hot hand. And when this guy is the only running back with any kind of success, why not give him the ball? Especially considering that Jordan Washington and Jonah Coleman may have been banged up, you have other options!
I am also confused on why Adam is out there returning kicks, even though he was good at it on this day, with his only recorded return going 36 yards. You’d think a backup receiver or DB would handle it, but it could be that they aren’t healthy enough to rotate others in. It’s another facet of Jedd’s coaching decisions that confounds me, and one that I hope gets ironed out with time.
Pack of Dawgs
As I said above, the defense is not why the Huskies lost this game. It may have given up backbreaker, but thanks to their efforts, the game was still within reach for 3 quarters. The run defense was particularly stout, holding Duck running back Noah Wittington to only 47 yards. In fact, this was the first time all year that any opposing offense had scored more than 25 points on this defense. An argument could be made that outside of 3 or 4 mistake plays, the Husky defense played about as well as they did all year. But those 3 or 4 mistakes are ultimately what cost them in the end. I have been pleasantly surprised by how well the defense has played the past few games, and flummoxed by the offense (outside of the UCLA game). Which, surprising as that might seem, is the inverse of how I felt at the beginning of the season. And there’s even more reason for optimism, as there are young and talented players (ZRS, Dylan Robinson and RDA), who have made an impact for the Dawgs this year. They should serve as cornerstones for a unit on the rise, and I’m excited for what Ryan Walters and company can do with them in 2026 and beyond!
Extra Things
- Shoutout to all the seniors, but especially guys like Grady Gross and Makell Esteen, both of whom I met at Media Day ahead of the National Championship in 2024. You guys are Dawgs through and through, and I and many others will miss you next year.
- Jonah Coleman hopefully has one more game left, but he finished his regular season Husky career with 1726 yards and 24 touchdowns.
The Huskies will await their bowl destination, as they have finished with a record of 8-4! Go Dawgs!