Washington makes emphatic Big Ten debut thumping Northwestern 24-5

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington made its debut as one of the newest members of the Big Ten Conference with an emphatic victory and the Huskies defense leading the way.

Will Rogers threw a pair of first-half touchdowns to Denzel Boston, Jonah Coleman added a second-half touchdown run, and Washington stymied Northwestern in a 24-5 win on Saturday night.

The Huskies (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) rebounded from last week’s stinging Apple Cup loss to rival Washington State in their first conference game by thumping the overmatched Wildcats.

The Huskies held Northwestern to 112 total yards, grabbed two interceptions and had a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter.

“Our defense just played extraordinary. I don't really know if there's many other good adjectives to describe (it),” Washington coach Jedd Fisch said.

Rogers was excellent in the first half when he found Boston on touchdowns of 46 yards on Washington’s second possession and a 13-yard strike in the second quarter.

Coleman scored on an 8-yard touchdown run less than a minute into the fourth quarter, capping a drive where he made an excellent catch then cleanly hurdled Northwestern Evan Smith as part of a 16-yard reception.

Rogers finished 20 of 28 passing for 223 yards, while Boston had seven catches for a career-high 121 yards.

“It's going to go down in the books that we won our first game in the Big Ten," Boston said. "I think that's a big thing not only for us but for our alumni to see us continuing what they began years ago. It's exciting. A great beginning to a new start.”

The Wildcats (2-2, 0-1) played without top running back Cam Porter due to a lower-body injury. Porter was Northwestern’s leading rusher on the season and the offense suffered with him unavailable. The Wildcats had just 59 yards rushing and their inability to get any push against Washington defensive front was most obvious near the goal line.

Washington defensive lineman Isaiah Ward said the Huskies wanted to “show we could stop the run,” this week.

Northwestern received a gift when Rogers fumbled a snap in the third quarter and the Wildcats recovered at the Huskies 33. Northwestern had first-and-goal at the 4, but couldn’t convert on three attempts, and on fourth-and-goal from the 1 opted for an 18-yard field goal rather than going for the touchdown.

The kick by Jack Olsen pulled the Wildcats within 17-5.

Early in the fourth quarter, Northwestern received a 96-yard kickoff return from Joseph Himon II to the Washington 2. A penalty moved the ball to the 1, but the Wildcats failed on four attempts – three of them passes – and turned the ball over on downs.

Quarterback Jack Lausch was 8 of 27 for 53 yards passing and two interceptions.

The last time Washington held an opponent to exactly five points was Oct. 28, 1939 when the Huskies held on for an 8-5 win over Stanford.

It was also the first time Washington held a conference opponent without a touchdown since Utah in the 2018 Pac-12 title game.

Northwestern: The Wildcats will gladly take the early bye week to get healthy and start to figure out their offensive woes. In its two games against Power Four teams so far this season (Duke and Washington), Northwestern has been held under 300 yards total offense in both.

Washington: The competition wasn’t the best, but the Huskies continue to be stout defensively. Take away the first half last week against Washington State when the Cougars scored 17 points, the Huskies have allowed just 24 points in the other 14 quarters this season.

Northwestern: has a weekend off before hosting Indiana on Oct. 5.

Washington: at Rutgers next Friday.

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Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston catches a touchdown against Northwestern defensive back Theran Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Northwestern linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. (5) and defensive lineman Anto Saka, right, celebrate a sack of Washington quarterback Will Rogers during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch (12) is pressured by Washington linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington fans celebrate a touchdown by wide receiver Denzel Boston during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Fans watch from the upper concourse during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Washington and Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Will Rogers (7) greets wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) after throwing a touchdown pass to Boston during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch walks on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington running back Jonah Coleman (1) runs the football against Northwestern defensive lineman Tyler Gant (54) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington players walk to the sideline during a timeout against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Will Rogers runs the football for a first down against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Decker DeGraaf, front right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead joining the race for secretary of state of the battleground state.

Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not cite a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not finished being a “public servant.” His departure clears up the Democratic primary and benefits the frontrunner, Jocelyn Benson, who is the current Secretary of State, in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The secretary of state is Michigan's top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.

“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.

As Whitmer’s second in command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. He reported having around $378,000 of cash on hand as of October compared to Benson’s $2.98 million.

Benson is now set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.

The inclusion of a well-known independent candidate has created a new problem for Democrats this year. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is avoiding costly primaries altogether by running as an independent. The Michigan Democratic Party slammed the former Democrat last week for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second term policies.

In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are jockeying for the nomination.

In his bid to become secretary of state, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit.

Michigan does not hold primary elections for the secretary of state position; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19.

State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention March 28 and GOP figures chasing the party's nomination for secretary of state include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive.

In addition to the office of the governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters will be selecting a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November.

FILE - Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II waits before the State of the State address, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, file)