Denzel Boston’s career day leads UW Huskies to rout over No. 23 Illinois
By Andy YamashitaSeattle Times staff reporter
Denzel Boston spent more than a year waiting for coach Jedd Fisch to make the call. Waiting for his moment. Waiting for the opportunity to throw the football.
The Huskies installed a double-pass play for Boston, the junior wide receiver, in 2024. Then, they went an entire season without ever calling it. They were being patient, Fisch said, searching for the right coverage in the right situation.
And then, with Washington trailing by three points with 46 seconds remaining in the first half against No. 23 Illinois, Boston finally got the signal. Sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. lined up under center and received the snap. Boston dropped back and caught Williams’ lateral before floating a perfectly placed 12-yard pass back across the field to senior running back Jonah Coleman, wide open along the right sideline.
While Coleman and Williams celebrated in the end zone, Boston raised his left arm — pointer finger and thumb extended. A pose evoking his former Husky teammate Michael Penix Jr.
“It was just something Mike brought to the school,” Boston said. “And when special moments happen, you’ve just got to whip it out.”
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Boston’s touchdown pass to Coleman gave UW a lead it never relinquished as it routed Illinois 42-25 in front of an announced crowd of 68,630 fans on a windy, drizzly and, at times, sunny Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium. UW is bowl eligible, matching its win total from the entire 2024 season with four regular-season games to play and the potential for more in the postseason.
“Our team came out ready to go today,” Fisch said. “Really liked the way they answered the bell.”
Boston was UW’s offensive catalyst. Along with his passing touchdown, he reeled in 10 catches for 153 yards receiving, both career-high marks. It’s Boston’s first 100-yard receiving game since he tallied 107 yards during the 117th Apple Cup against Washington State Sept. 20.
The South Hill native’s six-yard touchdown catch with 14:39 remaining effectively shut the door on any potential Illinois comeback. Boston is the first Husky player to throw and catch a touchdown during the same game since Dante Pettis achieved the feat during a 66-27 UW win against California on Nov. 5, 2016.
“That’s who he is,” Fisch said. “I think he’s one of the best receivers in the country. We’ve continued to find ways to get him the ball and we’ll always continue to do that.”
Fisch got Boston involved early. Three of UW’s first five pass attempts went to the 6-foot-4, 210-pound receiver. He caught two, gaining eight yards on a wide receiver screen and then adding 19 yards on a crossing route, shedding two tacklers before he was hauled down at the Illinois 10-yard line. Both plays gained first downs, the first of eight Boston collected for the Huskies (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten).
Denzel Boston keeps his feet inbounds and scampers down the sideline just short of the goal line in the fourth quarter. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
Denzel Boston keeps his feet inbounds and scampers down the sideline just short of the goal line in the fourth quarter. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
Four plays later, Williams scrambled to his left before connecting with freshman wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck at the goal line for a 13-yard touchdown to give UW a quick 7-0 lead.
It was the first time Washington had scored points during the first quarter of a Big Ten game this season. Then, the Huskies did it again.
Aided by a 28-yard Boston catch — his longest reception of the game — Washington marched 67 yards down the field on eight plays. It punctuated the drive with another 13-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Roebuck, the freshman’s first game with multiple touchdown receptions in his young career.
The Fighting Illini (5-3, 2-3) responded quickly. Quarterback Luke Altmyer led a methodical 14-play drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Collin Dixon.
And after UW went three-and-out for the first time, Altmyer found tight end Tanner Arkin for a 5-yard touchdown two plays after UW cornerback Tacario Davis had an interception wiped out by a questionable defensive pass interference call, his second in the end zone on consecutive drives. Arkin’s touchdown gave Illinois its first lead of the game, 17-14, with 1:55 remaining in the half.
The Huskies simply went back to Boston. Williams, who was 26-for-33 passing for 280 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 66 yards on 10 carries, found Boston three times for 31 total yards during UW’s final drive of the first half. Then, Fisch dialed up the double pass.
Fisch said Boston, a quarterback during his youth football career, had shown off a strong arm during practices. Fisch also noted the team holds tryouts during training camp when they install trick plays, so he was more than comfortable trusting Boston to make the play. And with 46 seconds remaining in the half, the Huskies got the look they’d been waiting for.
“It’s more about just staying calm,” Boston said. “I just take a deep breath and let the play work out.”
Boston’s momentum continued during the second half. He caught four of his five targets after the break for 67 yards including his 6-yard touchdown that took advantage of an Illinois interception, one of two UW forced reeled in by Davis. The former Emerald Ridge High standout was responsible for all six of UW’s big passing plays — gains of 15 yards or more — and averaged 15.3 yards per catch.
He was also a key part of UW’s ability to keep the chains moving forward. It converted nine of its 12 attempts against Illinois after going just 5 for 12 on third downs during its 24-7 loss against No. 25 Michigan. Boston converted three third downs, more than any other player.
This is what Boston’s done all season. Why teams have sent double teams and brackets and schemed coverages around him as the focal point of UW’s passing game. And after a career day against Illinois, Boston and his performance were most succinctly summarized by his quarterback.
“He’s a baller,” Williams said. “Everybody knows that.”
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.
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