Demond Williams Jr. scuffles in loss to Michigan
By Andy YamashitaSeattle Times staff reporter
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For the past seven games, Demond Williams Jr. has allowed Washington fans to indulge in their most brazen dreams.
The sophomore quarterback’s exploits during his short tenure in purple and gold have been remarkable. He burst onto the scene with a 374-yard performance against Louisville in the 2024 Sun Bowl. He led Washington to a historic rivalry win against Washington State in the 117th Apple Cup and an implausible fourth-quarter comeback against Maryland. He etched his name in UW’s record book next to or even above recent program standouts like Michael Penix Jr., Jake Browning and Jake Locker.
But against Michigan — on a surprisingly warm October day in the brick-walled behemoth of a stadium where victors are hailed and “Mr. Brightside” is belted by an announced crowd of 110,701 — Williams and Washington faltered for the first significant time in his young career.
The Huskies matched the Wolverines for 43 minutes Saturday at Michigan Stadium but eventually lost 24-7 after Williams threw a pair of interceptions late in the third quarter. Both led to Michigan touchdowns and an insurmountable deficit.
It’s the first time Williams, who was 20-for-32 passing for 209 yards and no touchdowns against Michigan, has thrown multiple interceptions in a single game. UW coach Jedd Fisch took responsibility for Williams’ play.
“Just didn’t feel like I did a good enough job getting him ready for the game,” Fisch said.
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The Washington Huskies offense huddles in the fourth quarter during a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
Before facing Michigan, Williams’ trajectory had practically been a vertical line. Any rough outings had been understandable. Washington was overmatched by a top-ranked Oregon team when Williams made his first start as a true freshman in 2024 and was sacked 10 times. His career-low passing performance came earlier this season against No. 1 Ohio State, the top scoring defense in the country.
Even when the offense wasn’t clicking perfectly, Williams more than justified Washington and Fisch’s faith in him because of his decision making.
Ball security has been a key characteristic of his game dating back to his time at Basha High in Chandler, Ariz., where Williams threw just 12 career interceptions despite attempting 903 passes. That continued on Montlake. He threw two interceptions in 2024, and had just one through six games for the Huskies (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) in 2025.
Which made his performance against the Wolverines (5-2, 3-1) so peculiar. Williams put the ball in danger early, sailing a pass behind junior receiver Denzel Boston straight toward Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill with 10:30 remaining in the first quarter. Williams was bailed out when Hill, who had acres of open field in front of him and might’ve scored a pick-six, dropped the ball.
The Washington defense stops Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) on fourth down, forcing a red-zone turnover during the second half in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
The Washington defense stops Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) on fourth down, forcing a red-zone turnover during the second half in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
Williams appeared to settle in after his errant first-quarter throw. He tallied 155 yards passing during the first half, more than his Michigan counterpart Bryce Underwood, on 14-of-19 passing.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound quarterback connected on a 48-yard deep pass to Boston and completed a 27-yard screen to senior running back Jonah Coleman.
Williams’ most important throw of the half, however, might’ve been his 31-yard pass to freshman Raiden Vines-Bright on a deep crossing route over the middle while facing second-and-19 on Michigan’s 42-yard line. One play prior, Williams had been sacked for a 9-yard loss.
Vines-Bright’s catch set up UW’s lone touchdown, a 1-yard carry by Coleman with 40 seconds remaining in the half to tie the game 7-7. Michigan opened the scoring with a 22-yard screen from Underwood to freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh with 33 seconds remaining in the first quarter, immediately responding after UW senior kicker Grady Gross missed a 36-yard field goal.
Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) stiff-arms Michigan Wolverines defensive back Zeke Berry (10) during a college football game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) stiff-arms Michigan Wolverines defensive back Zeke Berry (10) during a college football game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
But Washington was unable to carry any offensive momentum from Coleman’s touchdown into the second half, and with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter, Williams imploded. The Huskies lined up on their own 18-yard line after Boston fair caught a punt.
Williams tried to connect with Boston on a slant, but the ball was intercepted by lurking Michigan linebacker Cole Sullivan. On the very next play, Michigan running back Jordan Marshall, who had 133 yards rushing while replacing standout Justice Haynes, carried the ball 14 yards straight up the middle to the end zone, giving Michigan a 14-7 lead.
“They made a good play on a slant throw,” Fisch said.
Like he did during late comebacks against Maryland and Rutgers in previous weeks, Williams seemed to respond. He ripped a 17-yard rhythm pass to freshman wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck along the right sideline, then hit Boston for a 16-yard gain down the left sideline on the next play.
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But on his third pass of the drive, Williams threw a pass intended for sophomore tight end Decker DeGraaf behind him and straight into the awaiting arms of Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder. Nine plays later, Underwood found junior tight end Zack Marshall in the right corner of the end zone to give Michigan a 21-7 lead.
Only 64 seconds of game time elapsed between Williams’ first and second interceptions.
Washington Huskies linebacker Zach Durfee (5) walks off the field after the Wolverines defeated the Huskies 24-7 in a college football game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
Washington Huskies linebacker Zach Durfee (5) walks off the field after the Wolverines defeated the Huskies 24-7 in a college football game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
“I know he was very disappointed in, obviously, the result of some of those interceptions,” Fisch said.
By the time he’d thrown his third, a downfield heave intended for Boston that went right through his hands and was picked off by defensive back Jacob Oden, the game was essentially finished. Fisch remarked there was some miscommunication between Williams and his receivers on some of the interceptions, and said the coaching staff needs to make sure everyone is on the same page going forward.
“Very not like us, at all, to turn it over,” Fisch said. “But disappointed in the game. How we coached. How we played. And we’ve got to get back to work.”
Yet Washington center Landen Hatchett made it clear Williams still has the team’s complete trust and confidence as UW enters the second half of its season. And for good reason.
His poise and normally steady hand at the helm of Washington’s offense often belie his young age. Williams’ propensity for rising to the moment can make it easy to forget Saturday was only the ninth start of his career. And one difficult outing, against Michigan at the Big House where UW hasn’t won since 1984, doesn’t erase a season of strong performances.
If anything, it puts into perspective how high a level he’d been playing at since his ascendant performance at the Sun Bowl more than nine months ago.
“There’s no other leader I’d rather have on this team than him,” Hatchett said. “Not everybody sees what he does behind the scenes. That’s one of the hardest working dudes I know. Knows football really well. Obviously, he’s a great player. Everyone has a tough day here and there, but I don’t want him to lose any type of confidence.
“I want him to know the guys have lost no confidence with him, and I wouldn’t rather have anyone else.”
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.
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