No. 19 Washington struggles in 16-14 victory over Utah State

SEATTLE (AP) — Freshman Ansu Sanoe capped his first career drive with No. 19 Washington's lone touchdown and the Huskies overcame another slow start to beat Utah State 16-14 on Saturday.

“We’re glad that we have a victory, and we have a lot to learn,” third-year head coach Jedd Fisch said. “That’s two weeks in a row that we’re sitting here (needing) to learn a lot.”

Sanoe dove into the end zone from a yard out with 6:44 remaining in the second quarter to punctuate an eight-play, 65-yard drive and give the Huskies (2-0) a 10-7 lead.

Those would be the game’s last points until Tyler Robles made a 26-yard field goal with 12:54 to go in the fourth to stretch the lead to six points.

“In fall camp, we were clicking all the time,” Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. said. “Definitely a little bit of a shock, but I think we’re going to bounce back.”

Grady Brosterhous, a transfer from Virginia, made his first career start for Utah State (0-2) and finished with 196 yards through the air and 81 on the ground. He hit Eli Wood for a 7-yard touchdown strike with 1:50 to go. The Aggies — coming off a 29-17 home loss to FCS Idaho State — got the ball back with 47 seconds left, but Washington had an interception on the goal line as time expired.

Williams was 26 of 41 for 249 yards and also ran for 56 yards. He became the third quarterback in program history to reach 1,000 career rushing yards, joining Marques Tuiasosopo and Jake Locker.

Freshman tailback Brian Bonner made his first career start for Washington and finished with 22 yards on seven carries, while Trey Cooley added 22 yards. Quaid Carr and Jayden Limar, the top two tailbacks on the Huskies’ depth chart, both suffered injuries in last Sunday in the Apple Cup against Washington State.

“Not good enough,” Fisch said about the running game. “We have to find a way to make it better. But we're also going to recognize that there are going to be challenges.”

Carr, who underwent surgery on his left hand, won’t return until the end of the season at the earliest. Limar, a transfer from Oregon, could return sooner from a right elbow injury. Elinneus Davis — one of UW's top defensive linemen — was not in pads, and wideout Rashid Williams left with an injury in the first half.

Robles put the Huskies on the board with a 30-yard field goal, but Utah State responded immediately, with Brosterhous hitting Javon Robinson for a 78-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the following drive.

Utah State: At No. 20 Utah next Saturday.

Washington: Hosts Eastern Washington next Sarurday.

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Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. runs the ball against Utah State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Utah State safety Chika Ebunoha (12) reacts after tackling Washington's Rahshawn Clark for a short gain on a punt return during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington safety Rylon Dillard-Allen knocks the helmet off of Utah State wide receiver Javon Robinson (0) after Robinson missed a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. runs the ball against Utah State linebacker Bronson Olevao Jr. (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (2) can't bring in a pass in the end zone against Utah State safety Brevin Hamblin (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Utah State linebacker Chris Joe (25) tackles Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. at the goal line during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall looks on from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Utah State quarterback Grady Brosterhous runs against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr., right, hands off the ball to running back Brian Bonner, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington running back Ansu Sanoe reacts after scoring a touchdown against Utah State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Keelon Russell threw for 188 yards and a touchdown to help No. 12 Alabama beat Kentucky 45-17 on Saturday in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

Russell overcame two interceptions in the first half as the Crimson Tide (2-0) overcame a 17-13 halftime deficit, outscoring the Wildcats (1-1) 32-0 in the second half.

″(It was) far from a perfect game,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “It wasn’t this crazy energy that we had to have (after trailing). I felt like it was kind of almost just getting locked in, getting refocused, and just knowing the game was going to be ours. We’ve just got to go out and execute.”

Alabama won its ninth straight over Kentucky, a streak that began after the Wildcats had a 40-34 overtime victory in 1997, ending a 75-year losing streak to the Crimson Tide.

Alabama managed just 128 total yards in the first two quarters, including 5 yards rushing. Sparked by Russell and running back Daniel Hill, Alabama finished with 343 total yards, including 155 on the ground. Hill had 104 yards rushing and scored a touchdown.

DeBoer was seen talking to Russell, who said it was just “head coach talking to quarterback.”

“I told him I’m willing to work my (butt) off this week and get ready for FSU and fix the mistakes, Russell said.”

In his second career start, Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey threw for 146 yards and a touchdown. Kentucky managed just 62 yards in the second half. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble.

“The ball was an issue,” Kentucky coach Will Stein said. “The interception, you’ve got to take care of the football. Then he got sack-fumbled. The kid competed. He’s our guy no matter what. He’s an elite competitor.”

Amid the early struggles against the Wildcats, DeBoer praised his team’s ability to overcome the slow start, giving his younger players valuable experience.

“That’s going to be part of where we’re at right now, early part in the season,” DeBoer said. “Doing what we did and winning the second half — winning the second half builds belief, builds trust. You’ve got to go through those experiences really for it to shape and build your team.”

Alabama: The Crimson Tide dominated the second half after generating just 5 yards rushing in the first two quarters. Alabama finished with 150 total rushing yards in the second half. Alabama won its 10th straight conference opener and is 34-1 to open league play since 1992. Alabama has scored 93 points in its first two contests.

Kentucky: Kentucky hasn’t beaten a ranked foe since a 33-14 triumph over Florida in 2023 and fell to 2-40-1 overall against Alabama. The Wildcats outgained the Crimson Tide 147-128 in the first half, but finished with 209 total yards.

Alabama: Hosts Florida State next Saturday.

Kentucky: At Texas A&M next Saturday.

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Kentucky tight end Henry Boyer (87) scores a touchdown against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Tony Wagner)