Two straight victories have knocked Washington out of college football’s Top 25 poll.
The Huskies looked so unimpressive in wins against visiting Washington State (24-10) and Utah State (16-14) that they’ve fallen from No. 17 in the preseason poll to just outside the rankings.
They’ll look to turn things around when they play host to Eastern Washington (1-2) of the FCS on Saturday in Seattle. It marks Washington’s last tune-up before the start of Big Ten Conference play.
“If we keep winning we’ll get back in the Top 25, that’s what I know. I know that they can’t keep you out of it if you win games,” Huskies coach Jedd Fisch said at his weekly news conference. “We’re 2-0, we’ve got to find a way to get to 3-0 and then go from there.”
The Huskies, without their top two running backs and best receiver because of injuries, looked lethargic against Utah State last weekend, a team that lost its opener 29-17 at home to Idaho State of the FCS.
Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. completed 26 of 41 passes for 249 yards and rushed for a team-high 56 yards on 11 carries.
But the Huskies needed three field goals from Tyler Robles, a 1-yard TD run from Ansu Sanoe and some staunch defense to avoid the upset.
Eastern Washington suffered a 41-23 loss last weekend at South Dakota, which was ranked No. 11 in the FCS.
The Eagles trailed 10-3 late in the second quarter before giving up a 66-yard touchdown pass. The host Coyotes scored on a 72-yard run and a 48-yard pass on their first two possessions after the intermission to increase their lead to 31-3.
“I am excited to flush this loss … and get ready for the University of Washington,” EWU running back Malik Dotson told The Spokesman-Review. “We’re going to make major strides.”
