The Heartland Line
Washington's Demond Williams Jr. leaves Iowa loss for rib X-rays with Purdue six days away
The Huskies' starter exited in the first half of a 41-24 home loss. Stanford transfer Elijah Brown threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns in relief, and Washington plays at Purdue on Friday night.
Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. left Friday night's 41-24 loss to No. 20 Iowa in the first half to have X-rays on his side and ribs, a team spokesperson told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. He did not return.
Coach Jedd Fisch did not have an update after the game and said he expected to know more on Monday. That leaves the Huskies with an uncertain week: they play at Purdue on Friday, Oct. 16.
Williams went to the medical tent after a third-down run late in the first half, with Washington already down 27-0. He was 6 of 11 for 69 yards and had been held to minus-8 yards on 11 carries. Earlier on Friday he had been named to the Top 15 list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He is in his second season as the starter.
Brown makes his case
Elijah Brown, a transfer from Stanford, came on before halftime and gave a stalled offense a pulse. He opened the third quarter with a 75-yard drive capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass to Chris Lawson and finished 28 of 39 for 251 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Lawson caught eight passes for 86 yards.
It was not enough against an Iowa team that controlled the night from the start. Kamari Moulton ran for a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns, Jeremy Hecklinski threw three touchdown passes while starting for the injured Hank Brown, and the Hawkeyes sacked Washington six times. The Huskies finished with minus-3 rushing yards and were held to 14 yards on their first five possessions, all of which ended in punts.
What it means for Friday
The loss is Washington's third straight, after a 27-24 home defeat to Minnesota and a 25-21 loss at USC, and drops the Huskies to 3-3 and 0-3 in the Big Ten. Purdue is 2-3 and plays Minnesota on Saturday night at Ross-Ade Stadium before turning around for the Friday game.
If Williams cannot go, Brown is the likely choice after his second half against Iowa. The more pressing problem may be up front: an offense that cannot run the ball or protect the passer will struggle no matter who is under center. The first official word on Williams will come with the Big Ten availability report midweek.
Washington at Purdue kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Fox, per ESPN. Prices will be on the weekly board and the Washington and Purdue team pages.
