Huskies face Spartans in Big Ten opener
Washington and Michigan State meet Saturday for their first conference matchup, with the Huskies holding a 5-4 record.
By Chinedu Schneider ·
Washington enters Saturday's matchup in East Lansing with a 5-4 overall record and a 2-4 mark in the Big Ten. The team travels to face Michigan State, which stands at 3-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
This marks the first time the two programs have competed as Big Ten Conference opponents. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium. The game will air on the Big Ten Network and stream on FOX One.
Washington has secured both of its conference victories on the road this season. The Huskies will play without the home crowd for the first time in their current Big Ten tenure. Michigan State enters the game after defeating Michigan 15-6, a result that ended a five-game losing streak in Big Ten play.
The broadcast team for the television game includes Chris Vosters, Rhett Lewis, and Caroline Hendershot. Radio coverage will be available on the Washington Sports Network, with Elise Woodward, Cameron Cleeland, and Dave Mahler providing the call. Listeners in Seattle can tune to SportsRadio KJR 93.3 FM, which begins coverage four hours before the first snap.
The Huskies field several statistical leaders in the conference. Punter Hunter Green leads the Big Ten with an average of 48.1 yards per punt. The defensive unit ranks seventh nationally, having recorded 12 interceptions this season. Receivers Dezmen Roebuck and Chris Lawson rank fourth and seventh, respectively, in receptions per game.
Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. reached a personal milestone during the season by surpassing 1,000 career rushing yards. His total now stands at 1,147, making him the third player in program history to achieve that mark. He follows Jake Locker and Marques Tuiasosopo on that list.
Youth plays a major role on the current roster. Five true freshmen have combined for 35 starts, putting the team on pace to break the program record of 44 set last year. After this game in Michigan, Washington returns home to host Indiana on Nov. 21 before finishing the regular season at Oregon the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
