What’s at stake
Both teams enter Friday night looking for a bounce-back performance.
Washington is reeling after dropping back-to-back games to open Big Ten play. The Huskies fell to Minnesota at home two weeks ago and USC on the road last week.
Iowa suffered its first loss of the season last week, dropping a 31-14 decision at home to Ohio State.
Iowa defensive back Zach Lutmer tackles Washington wide receiver Rashid Williams just shy of the goal line on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
Series history
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Though both call the Big Ten home now, the Hawkeyes share little history with Washington. The two programs have met only four times in regular season contests (1937, 1963, 1964 and 2024) and three times in bowl matchups (1982, 1991 and 1995). Iowa holds a 4-3 edge in the series after winning the most recent matchup, 40-16, at Kinnick Stadium in the 2024 season.
The Huskies last beat the Hawkeyes in the 1991 Rose Bowl 46-34.
Forecast
Friday’s forecast in Seattle calls for temperatures in the mid-to-low 50s around kickoff with an 80% chance of rain earlier in the day.
Huskies to know
QUARTERBACK DEMOND WILLIAMS
A do-it-all signal caller, Williams has thrown for 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 191 yards and two more scores.
“He's a really dynamic player,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “He's a good thrower. He can run. They can design runs with him. He can just pull it down and go. He's one of those catalyst-type players. You can tell everybody responds to him.”
LINEBACKER JACOB MANU
Washington’s biggest threat in the pass rush, Manu has recorded 2.5 sacks this season in addition to 30 total tackles (20 solo).
Pro Football Focus (PFF) rates him as the Huskies’ most dangerous pass rusher with a 90.7 pass rush grade — more than eight points higher than the rest of his teammates. Only Oregon’s Nasir Wyatt and Wisconsin’s Sebastian Cheeks rate higher among Big Ten defenders.
SAFETY ALEX McLAUGHLIN
Filtering Washington’s defensive statistics to find the leader in any defensive stat category will return McLaughlin’s name. He’s been everywhere for the Huskies defense with 36 total tackles (28 solo), 2.5 sacks, two passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
PFF rates McLaughlin as Washington’s best defender with an 86.0 overall grade.
Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com.
