Desmond Williams Jr., Jonah Coleman lead Washington past UCLA 31-19 for bowl eligibility

SEATTLE (AP) — Demond Williams Jr. replaced starting quarterback Will Rogers, leading three second-half game-securing scoring drives, and Washington beat UCLA 31-19 on Friday night to clinch bowl eligibility.

Jonah Coleman added 95 rushing yards and two TDs as the Huskies won for the second time in three games and pushed their home win streak to 20 games.

“Full House, great crowd, great energy and to be 6-0 at home with a 20-game win streak is pretty amazing,” UW coach Jedd Fisch said. “And we're looking forward to taking that win streak into next season. ”

Williams led the Huskies (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) to a field goal and two touchdowns, including a 2-yard touchdown pass to Decker DeGraaf with 5:44 left in the game to seal the victory over the Bruins (4-6, 3-5). Rogers helped UW to a 14-13 halftime lead, but threw interceptions on the Huskies’ first two drives of the second half.

UW’s defense held UCLA to just three points after those turnovers, making several big plays and scoring 10 points off turnovers to secure the win. The Steve Belichick-coached defense forced and recovered two fumbles and sacked UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers six times in the victory, including on third and fourth down to end a late threat.

Rogers was 13 of 21 for 115 yards and a touchdown when he was pulled from the game after throwing interceptions to Devin Kirkwood and Kain Medrano. The first bounced off his receiver’s hands, but the second was a bad throw into triple coverage.

“I thought Will did a nice job there getting us to the 14 and then things were just not going as well as I would have liked them to,” Fisch said. “And I thought it was the right time to give (Williams) that opportunity.”

Williams completed 7 of 8 passes for 67 yards and a score and scrambled for 31 more.

Russell Davis II helped set up UW’s first two scores with two of his three sacks of Garbers. The first was followed by a 17-yard shanked punt that gave the Huskies first down at UCLA’s 36. Jonah Coleman capped a short drive with a 15-yard score and a 7-0 lead.

Coleman struggled to find room on his first few carries, then decided to slow down and wait for his blocks. He was rewarded with a gaping hole for his first score.

“I just had to go back to the basics,” Coleman said.

The performance gave him 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

“Jonah Coleman has gone over 1,000 yards on the season,” Fisch said. “I'm so proud of him. That's the No. 7 rushing defense in the country.”

Davis helped make it 14-3 with a strip sack of former UW quarterback Garbers and fumble recovery midway through the first quarter. Rogers threw an interception in the end zone on the ensuing drive. But Bryan Addison’s pick was wiped away by a roughing the passer call on Oluwafemi Oladejo. Rogers took advantage of the second chance with an 8-yard scoring toss to Keleki Latu for a 14-3 lead.

Garbers completed 27 of 44 for 267 yards and two scores.

The Bruins need two more wins to reach bowl eligibility. Coach DeShaun Foster thinks UCLA should be motivated with games against USC and Fresno State left.

“This next game, there’s not much you need to tell them,” Foster said. “They understand what kind of game we have coming up, so they should be a little upset and eager to get out on the field.”

THE TAKEAWAY

UCLA: The Bruins still have a shot at making a bowl with winnable games left on the schedule (they finish with Fresno State). But they’ll need to play better than this. There was no running game to speak of – they averaged 1.6 yards per carry - and if Garbers hadn’t been a magician on third down, converting 10 of 19, this game would have been over in the first half.

Washington: The win made the Huskies bowl eligible in their first season under Fisch, something that looked like a long shot as UW lost three of four coming into the game. That will buoy the Huskies as they prepare for their biggest test of the season.

QB DECISION

Fisch declined to name a starter for the upcoming game against No. 1 Oregon.

“I'm going to use the bye week for that and certainly announce that at the right time - or not, and let them defend two quarterbacks,” he said with a laugh.

UP NEXT

UCLA: The Bruins host crosstown rival USC on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Washington: The Huskies close the season at No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 30.

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Washington running back Jonah Coleman scores a touchdown against UCLA defensive back Jaylin Davies (6) and defensive back Bryan Addison (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington running back Jonah Coleman (1) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Drew Azzopardi (74) as UCLA defensive back Bryan Addison (4) looks away during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers looks to throw against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA running back T.J. Harden (25) runs the ball against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao is tackled by Washington linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala (11) and linebacker Carson Bruener, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington edge Isaiah Ward, top, and defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez (50) sack UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster looks on from the sideline against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) runs the ball against Washington linebacker Khmori House (28) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA offensive lineman Jaylan Jeffers is carted off the field with an injury during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch stands on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch talks with quarterback Will Rogers during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Will Rogers throws against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington safety Makell Esteen reacts after a tackle against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA place kicker Mateen Bhaghani kicks a field goal against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington defensive lineman Russell Davis II recovers a fumble against UCLA offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3) reacts to scoring a touchdown against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington defensive lineman Russell Davis II, left, reacts after recovering a fumble against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3) reacts to scoring a touchdown against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington offensive lineman Gaard Memmelaar (64) celebrates with tight end Keleki Latu after Latu's touchdown against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington tight end Keleki Latu (85) runs for a touchdown against UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano (20) and defensive back Ramon Henderson (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) reacts to throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington safety Kamren Fabiculanan walks out to the field before an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown to wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3) against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington running back Jonah Coleman (1) runs the ball on his way to a touchdown against UCLA defensive back Bryan Addison (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao (88) stiff-arms Washington edge Isaiah Ward during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Richard “Dick” Codey, a former acting governor of New Jersey and the longest serving legislator in the state's history, died Sunday. He was 79.

Codey’s wife, Mary Jo Codey, confirmed her husband’s death to The Associated Press.

“Gov. Richard J. Codey passed away peacefully this morning at home, surrounded by family, after a brief illness,” Codey's family wrote in a Facebook post on Codey's official page.

"Our family has lost a beloved husband, father and grandfather -- and New Jersey lost a remarkable public servant who touched the lives of all who knew him," the family said.

Known for his feisty, regular-guy persona, Codey was a staunch advocate of mental health awareness and care issues. The Democrat also championed legislation to ban smoking from indoor areas and sought more money for stem cell research.

Codey, the son of a northern New Jersey funeral home owner, entered the state Assembly in 1974 and served there until he was elected to the state Senate in 1982. He served as Senate president from 2002 to 2010.

Codey first served as acting governor for a brief time in 2002, after Christine Todd Whitman’s resignation to join President George W. Bush’s administration. He held the post again for 14 months after Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned in 2004.

At that time, New Jersey law mandated that the Senate president assume the governor’s role if a vacancy occurred, and that person would serve until the next election.

Codey routinely drew strong praise from residents in polls, and he gave serious consideration to seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2005. But he ultimately chose not to run when party leaders opted to back wealthy Wall Street executive Jon Corzine, who went on to win the office.

Codey would again become acting governor after Corzine was incapacitated in April 2007 due to serious injuries he suffered in a car accident. He held the post for nearly a month before Corzine resumed his duties.

After leaving the governor’s office, Codey returned to the Senate and also published a memoir that detailed his decades of public service, along with stories about his personal and family life.

“He lived his life with humility, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility to others,” his family wrote. “He made friends as easily with Presidents as he did with strangers in all-night diners.”

Codey and his wife often spoke candidly about her past struggles with postpartum depression, and that led to controversy in early 2005, when a talk radio host jokingly criticized Mary Jo and her mental health on the air.

Codey, who was at the radio station for something else, confronted the host and said he told him that he wished he could “take him outside.” But the host claimed Codey actually threatened to “take him out,” which Codey denied.

His wife told The Associated Press that Codey was willing to support her speaking out about postpartum depression, even if it cost him elected office.

“He was a really, really good guy,” Mary Jo Codey said. “He said, ‘If you want to do it, I don’t care if I get elected again.’”

Jack Brook contributed reporting from New Orleans.

FILE - New Jersey State Sen. and former Democratic Gov. Richard Codey is seen before New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature at the statehouse, in Trenton, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)