Inglewood, Calif. — On Dec. 13, 2025, Washington opened bowl season with a decisive 38-10 victory over Boise State in the LA Bowl, powered by Demond Williams Jr.’s four touchdown passes and a defense that produced five interceptions. The Huskies (9-4) scored 38 straight points after conceding an opening-drive field goal and improved to four wins in their last five bowl appearances. Boise State (9-5) struggled under center as Maddux Madsen and Max Cutforth combined for multiple interceptions, and the Broncos were unable to recover despite flashes from their offense. The result underscored Washington’s depth and preparation under coach Jedd Fisch while raising immediate questions about Boise State’s quarterback room and turnover resilience.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Washington 38, Boise State 10 — Huskies scored 38 consecutive points after Boise State’s opening field goal.
- Passing impact: Demond Williams Jr. threw four touchdown passes (three in the second quarter) and finished with 214 passing yards.
- Turnover margin: Washington generated five interceptions, including a 57-yard return by edge rusher Deshawn Lynch.
- Boise State struggles: Maddux Madsen had two first-half interceptions before exiting; Max Cutforth added three interceptions and finished with 202 passing yards and a late TD.
- Key offensive performances: Denzel Boston had six catches for 125 yards and a 78-yard touchdown; Jonah Coleman rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown in his final game at Washington.
- Attendance and setting: The LA Bowl drew 23,269 fans at SoFi Stadium in the game’s fifth edition, which reports suggest might not continue next year.
- Roster notes: Washington had no opt-outs from its Big Ten roster and produced its fourth bowl victory in five appearances under the current staff.
Background
The LA Bowl, inaugurated in 2020 at SoFi Stadium, pairs teams from the Mountain West and the Pac‑12/Pac‑12‑aligned opponents or other agreements, creating a high-profile late-season matchup in Los Angeles. Washington entered the game as the Big Ten program that accepted a bowl bid despite a one-week preparation window and travel of roughly 1,150 miles from Seattle. Boise State came in as the Mountain West champion and a program that reached the College Football Playoff the previous season, giving the matchup extra narrative weight despite the bowl’s lower-tier profile.
Jedd Fisch’s Huskies were notable for roster stability: no significant bowl opt-outs and starters available to execute the staff’s plan. Boise State, coached by Spencer Danielson, carried momentum from three straight conference titles but faced questions about quarterback durability after Maddux Madsen returned from a leg issue earlier in the month. The game also arrived amid local uncertainty about the LA Bowl’s future; organizers have not officially confirmed media reports that the event won’t be staged next year.
Main Event
The Broncos struck first with an early field goal, but Washington answered emphatically. Denzel Boston opened scoring with a 78-yard touchdown catch, then Williams found Dezmen Roebuck, Raiden Vines-Bright and Quentin Moore for additional scoring strikes as the Huskies surged. Three of Williams’ four touchdown passes came in the second quarter, a sequence that flipped momentum and created a sizeable halftime cushion.
Boise State’s day unraveled largely because of turnovers. Maddux Madsen threw two interceptions in the first half and later watched from the sideline in a protective boot after a month-long absence with a lower-leg injury. Max Cutforth replaced him but added three more interceptions, including two on consecutive plays, which stymied Broncos drives and fed Washington’s counterattacking defense.
On the ground, Jonah Coleman provided a steady complement with an 86-yard, one-touchdown outing in what served as his final game for Washington. Boston’s 125 receiving yards and 78-yard score were decisive; his 11th receiving touchdown of the season marked the 20th of his college career. A late fourth-quarter interception by Leroy Bryant and Deshawn Lynch’s 57-yard return helped seal the margin and prevent any Boise State rally.
Emotions and penalties factored into the flow as well: Quentin Moore hauled in a 32-yard touchdown after halftime but drew an unsportsmanlike conduct flag for a celebratory Gronk-like spike — notable because the game was hosted by Rob Gronkowski. The Huskies’ complete package of opportunistic defense and efficient passing kept Boise State from mounting a comeback.
Analysis & Implications
Washington’s victory highlighted the program’s roster depth and preparation under Fisch. With no opt-outs and a rotation that executed situational football, the Huskies converted turnovers into points and denied Boise State rhythm. Williams’ 214 passing yards and four TDs demonstrated his ability to hit big plays consistently, reinforcing Washington’s offensive ceiling heading into the offseason.
For Boise State, the game exposed uncertainty at quarterback and the high cost of turnovers against a disciplined opponent. Maddux Madsen’s decision to play while not fully recovered reflected competitive toughness but also created risk; coach Spencer Danielson expressed continued faith in Madsen. Still, the combined seven interceptions by the Broncos’ quarterbacks typified a unit that must rebuild confidence and accuracy to meet expectations in the revamped Pac-12 schedule next season.
Beyond the teams, the game raises questions about the LA Bowl’s viability and the broader postseason landscape. Reports that the bowl might not return next year add to conversations about bowl demand, venue costs, and conference affiliations. For Washington, the win is a momentum boost toward Fisch’s stated aim of contending for a College Football Playoff spot in 2026; for Boise State, it underscores the work needed to stabilize quarterback play as the program transitions conferences.
Comparison & Data
| Category | Washington | Boise State |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 38 | 10 |
| Interceptions (committed) | 0 | 5 |
| Washington TD passes (Williams) | 4 | — |
| Leading rusher | Jonah Coleman, 86 yards | — |
| Top receiver | Denzel Boston, 6–125 yards | — |
The table above highlights decisive statistical contrasts: Washington dominated the turnover battle and produced explosive passing plays, while Boise State’s multiple interceptions and conservative offensive response limited its scoring to a single touchdown. Those gaps explain the lopsided score despite the Broncos’ recent program success and conference title.
Reactions & Quotes
“They treated the game as we asked them to, which is a championship game, a championship opportunity. As we’re sitting here with nine wins, really proud of our players, and tonight was a great football game.”
Jedd Fisch, Washington head coach (postgame)
Fisch framed the result as validation of preparation and buy-in from a roster that stayed intact for the bowl. His comments emphasized continuity and the program’s trajectory rather than the single-game outcome.
“A lesser competitor wouldn’t have even tried to play in this game. That’s our quarterback. Do we need to get better? Are we going to compete? All yes, but I’m unwavering in the fact that I believe in Maddux Madsen.”
Spencer Danielson, Boise State head coach
Danielson praised Madsen’s toughness while acknowledging room for improvement. His remarks aimed to shield the program from snap judgments and underline confidence in Madsen’s future role.
“We knew what they were going to play on defense, so that second quarter was just a mentality thing.”
Demond Williams Jr., Washington quarterback
Williams attributed the decisive scoring flurry to execution and mindset, pointing to the second quarter as the turning point when Washington broke the game open.
Unconfirmed
- Reports that the LA Bowl will not be staged next year remain unverified; bowl officials have not officially confirmed cancellation.
- Any long-term prognosis for Maddux Madsen’s leg — beyond him being expected to return next season — has not been publicly verified by medical staff.
Bottom Line
Washington’s 38-10 win in the LA Bowl was a comprehensive performance built on offensive efficiency and defensive opportunism. Demond Williams Jr.’s four touchdown passes and a five-interception effort by the Huskies erased any early Boise State promise and turned the game into a one-sided affair by halftime. The victory strengthens Washington’s offseason narrative: a disciplined staff, available roster and players executing in a postseason setting.
For Boise State, the loss is a clear signal that quarterback play and ball security must be addressed as the program moves into the revamped Pac-12 and challenges a tougher nonconference slate next season. While Danielson expressed faith in his signal-callers, the statistical reality of seven combined interceptions will shape offseason evaluations and recruiting priorities.