Northwestern (2-1) at Washington (2-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Washington 10 1/2.
Series record: Washington leads 3-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Washington plays its first conference game as a member of the Big Ten against the Wildcats and looking to rebound from last week’s stinging loss to rival Washington State in the Apple Cup. The Huskies opened the season under new coach Jedd Fisch with a pair of convincing wins, but a late fourth-and-goal call in the loss to the Cougars cast a cloud over the coach. Northwestern rebounded from a sluggish start to thump Eastern Illinois 31-7 last week, but lost to Duke in its only game against a Power Four school so far.
KEY MATCHUP
Washington’s red zone offense cost the Huskies a chance at victory last week. The Huskies settled for field goals after driving inside the Washington State 30-yard line and then got stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the closing moments. Northwestern is allowing just 13 points per game through the first three games and just 57.7 yards rushing per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Northwestern: QB Jack Lausch made his first career start last week against Eastern Illinois and threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 62 yards. He was a perfect 11-for-11 in the second half. While that’s an impressive debut against any opponent, the level of competition is a significant step up this week for Lausch.
Washington: WR Giles Jackson had a huge game against Washington State in the losing effort. Jackson had eight catches for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown against the Cougars, and has 24 receptions through three games. Jackson’s best season came in 2022 when he had 28 catches in 13 games played.
FACTS & FIGURES
It's the first meeting between the teams since 1984. All three previous matchups happened between 1980-84 and two of the three were played in Seattle. … Northwestern has allowed just one sack in its first three games. … Washington QB Will Rogers threw for 314 yards and one TD in the Apple Cup. He’s completing 77% of his passes. … Washington has won 16 straight games at Husky Stadium. … Northwestern coach David Braun picked up his 10th win in 16 career games with the Wildcats last week. He’s the fastest Northwestern coach to 10 wins since Pappy Waldorf in 1935-36.
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Washington wide receiver Giles Jackson (5) makes a touchdown catch against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington head coach Jedd Fisch watches from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and Cameron John of Australia shared the lead at the Dunhill Links Championship, where players ranked outside the top 400 in the world shaded the big names and top golf leaders on Friday.
Jon Rahm, one of 14 players from Saudi-funded LIV Golf in the field, bogeyed two of his last three holes for a 71 at Kingsbarns and was six shots behind. Rory McIlroy, playing in a group with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, had a 69 at Kingsbarns and was eight back.
Colsaerts, a one-time Ryder Cup player who has fallen to No. 695 in the world, showed he hasn't lost his penchant for going low by making eight birdies for a 7-under 65 at Carnoustie.
John is No. 1,007 in the world ranking. He opened with a career-best 62 and followed that on Friday with a 68 at St. Andrews, his round slowed by taking two from a pot bunker and making double bogey on the par-5 fifth hole.
They were at 14-under 130, one shot ahead of David Law of Scotland (No. 454) and Darren Fichardt of South Africa (No. 462).
Law is trying to secure his European tour card and shot 67 at St. Andrews. Fichardt, who opened with a career-best 61, could manage only a 72 on the Old Course.
The tournament, featuring one professional and one amateur over three courses, began with Monahan playing alongside Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund that backs rival LIV Golf.
They are in the midst of trying to negotiate a deal in which the Public Investment Fund would become a minority investor in the commercial PGA Tour Enterprises.
Monahan, whose partner is Billy Horschel, played on Friday with McIlroy and his father. Al-Rumayyan has LIV player Dean Burmester as a partner. He played alongside golf power broker Johann Rupert of South Africa, who is largely responsible for this tournament.
Rupert told reporters on Thursday, "I have known Jay for a very long time, and I have got to know His Excellency (Al-Rumayyan) as well, and they both only have the best interests of golf at heart. We need to keep on having days like today. Golf is supposed to be a maker of friends.
“We have a war going on in Ukraine and a terrible situation in the Middle East and another war going on in Sudan and we argue about golf? Surely all we want to do is see the best players in the world playing together.”
The Dunhill Links through two days has provided an odd collection of players at the top, though the 41-year-old Colsaerts has been on a big stage previously.
He is best known for winning a fourballs match practically by himself at Medinah in the 2012 Ryder Cup. Colsaerts made eight birdies and an eagle as he and Lee Westwood beat Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker.
Colsaerts has only one win in the 12 years since that Ryder Cup, but found something at a tournament he loves playing.
“I've been playing pretty well since yesterday,” Colsaerts said. “St. Andrews, I really plotted my way around. But here (Carnoustie), it requires a little bit more of local knowledge. Having played in this definitely helps.”
He ran off three straight birdies around the turn, and then capped off three birdies in four holes late in the round, ending his run on the tough 17th.
“It all fit together,” Colsaerts said.
For McIlroy and Rahm and the other top players, they go to St. Andrews on Saturday. Monahan and Horschel will be with Rupert and Louis Oosthuizen, while McIlroy and his father play alongside Al-Rumayyan and Burmester.
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Jay Monahan from the U.S. on the 10th on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland, Thursday Oct. 3, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, left, and Billy Horschel of the U.S. react on the first tee on day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland, Friday Oct. 4, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Rory McIlroy reacts after missing a putt on the first green on day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland, Friday Oct. 4, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Yasir Al Rumayyan tees off the third on day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland, Friday Oct. 4, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
