Elijah Brown gets the opening snap as Washington seeks its first Big Ten win

Elijah Brown gets Washington’s offense from the opening snap Friday at Purdue. The Huskies are still looking for their first Big Ten win.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Brown will start while Demond Williams Jr. works through a rib injury. Brown has practiced with the first team this week.

Brown took over after Williams left the October 9 loss to Iowa. The Stanford transfer completed 28 of 39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, including two 75-yard touchdown drives in the third quarter. Washington lost 41-24 after trailing 27-3 at halftime.

Both teams are 3-3, but the Huskies have lost all three of their conference games. Purdue enters 2-1 in the Big Ten.

Williams’ rib injury made a change likely earlier in the week. On Monday, coach Jedd Fisch said Williams would need a significant improvement to be ready. ESPN reported Friday that Williams remains questionable and that a possible backup role will depend on pregame warmups.

Kickoff at Ross-Ade Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Washington has an open week after this game before visiting Nebraska on October 31.

Sources

ESPN: Brown will start; Williams backup availability depends on warmups · Washington’s official Iowa recap and Brown’s relief statistics · Washington’s official Purdue game notes: Friday at 8 ET on FOX