Washington linebacker Carson Bruener (42) returns an interception in the fourth quarter against Boise State on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Photo credit: Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via TNS

What has happened so far in 2024:

The Washington Huskies (3-1), led by newly appointed head coach Jedd Fisch, are fresh off a 24-5 win over Northwestern in their first conference game as a Big Ten team.

Washington opened its season with a 35-3 win over Weber State on August 31st, followed by a 30-9 win over Eastern Michigan on September 7th. But a 24-19 loss to Washington State gave the Huskies their first loss of the year.

Important offensive player

Junior running back Jonah Coleman, who transferred to the program from the University of Arizona in January, has already made his mark in his first year in Washington.

Coleman ran for 127 yards in the Huskies’ game against Weber State, becoming the first Washington running back in 64 years to rush for 100 yards or more in his debut.

Coleman recorded 104 rushing yards in Washington’s second game of the season against Eastern Michigan. So far, the 5-foot-9, 229-pound running back has rushed for a total of 373 yards with four touchdowns.

Important defensive player

Senior linebacker Carson Bruener leads the Husky defense, not only as captain, but also with 21 tackles – 14 solo and seven assisted – and one interception this season.

In Saturday’s win against Northwestern, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker had six tackles and one interception. After the best season of his junior career, Bruener recorded 86 tackles and three tackles for a loss.

Expectations for the 2024 season

The expectations for Washington’s 2024 roster are quite complex.

After appearing in the 2024 National Championship – a 34-13 loss to Michigan – many can expect the Huskies to compete in 2025. But with the loss of former head coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama, Washington is looking to make a name for itself in an expanded Big Ten Conference.

Although reaching the national championship is not a realistic expectation for the Huskies in 2024, Washington should provide strong competition for some of its new conference opponents such as Michigan, Iowa, Rutgers and Indiana.