Washington Gets Unique MACtion Experience During Home Game Against Eastern Michigan

Washington (1-0) vs. Eastern Michigan (1-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)

MGM Plant College football odds:Washington at 27 1/2.

Record of the series: First meeting.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

After a solid debut against an FCS opponent, Washington really cemented itself as a Big Ten school by playing an early-season non-conference game against a MAC team. The Huskies beat Weber State 35-3 last week, led by three touchdowns from Jonah Coleman and a defense that limited the Wildcats to 253 total yards. Eastern Michigan is a better opponent. The Eagles opened the season with a 28-14 road win over UMass led by quarterback Cole Synder, who threw for 241 yards and a touchdown and another score on the run.

A key clash

For the second straight week, Washington’s biggest challenge may be avoiding the temptation to look too far ahead. The Huskies’ biggest non-conference game is coming up next week when they face Washington State in the Apple Cup. The Eagles have been more than capable of pulling off upsets against powerhouse teams under coach Chris Creighton. Eastern Michigan is 4-5 in its last nine games against powerhouse teams.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Eastern Michigan: LB James Djonkam, a transfer from Arizona State, was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 13 tackles and one sack in the opener against UMass.

Washington: Coleman looked like a star running back in the opener, bursting into the open field as soon as it was light and squeezing tough yards between tackles. His day would have been even better if not for a 44-yard TD run that was canceled by a penalty. Coleman was the first running back to rush for 100 yards in his Washington debut since 1976.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Creighton graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, just a few miles from Husky Stadium, and attended Washington games as a kid. … Washington has won 15 straight home games, the third-longest streak in the country after Georgia and Michigan. … Eastern Michigan opens the season with consecutive road games for the first time since 2006. The Eagles also played a Big Ten team on Sept. 7 this season, losing to Michigan State. … Washington backup quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was the first true freshman to throw a touchdown in a season opener since 1972, when freshmen were eligible to play.

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