SEATTLE, WA — The Washington Huskies secured a decisive 42–25 victory over the No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday at Husky Stadium, improving their record to 6–2 overall and 3–2 in Big Ten play. Illinois falls to 5–3 overall and 2–3 in the conference.
First Half: Huskies Establish Early Lead
Washington opened the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Demond Williams Jr. to Dezmen Roebuck. Illinois responded with a 33-yard field goal by David Olano. The Huskies then extended their lead with another 13-yard touchdown pass from Williams Jr. to Roebuck. Illinois answered with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Luke Altmyer to Collin Dixon, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Arkin, giving the Illini a 17–14 lead. Washington regained the lead just before halftime with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Denzel Boston to Jonah Coleman, making it 21–17.
Second Half: Huskies Pull Away
In the third quarter, Washington extended their lead with a 7-yard touchdown run by Jonah Coleman, making it 28–17. The Huskies added another touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard pass from Williams Jr. to Denzel Boston. Illinois responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jordan Anderson and a successful 2-point conversion, narrowing the gap to 35–25. Washington capped the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Williams Jr. to Decker DeGraaf, securing the 42–25 victory.
Key Performers
- Illinois:
- Luke Altmyer: 22 completions on 34 attempts for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Jordan Anderson: 1 rushing touchdown and 1 receiving 2-point conversion.
- Washington:
- Demond Williams Jr.: 280 total yards (209 passing, 71 rushing) and 3 total touchdowns.
- Denzel Boston: 10 receptions for 153 yards and 1 touchdown reception.
- Jonah Coleman: 1 rushing touchdown and 1 receiving touchdown.
Implications
This victory marks a significant milestone for Washington, matching their win total from the previous season and solidifying their position in the Big Ten standings. For Illinois, the loss underscores the challenges faced in conference play and highlights areas for improvement as they approach the remainder of the season.
Credit: SportBuzzHub.com | October 25, 2025
