​SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies football team looked unprepared and overmatched for most of its Big Ten opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday at Husky Stadium.The Huskies fell to 3-1 with the loss. It was a disappointing result for a team that begun the year ranked 17th in the country and considered a potential darkhorse for the College Football Playoff.”I think that all our goals are still in front of us,” UW third-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr. said after the game. “We have a whole lot of ball to play, a whole lot of good teams to play still. For us, I think that we have to use this game as a learning lesson and, go into the next week with a clear state of mind.”Washington’s secondary was without starting cornerbacks Emmanuel Karnley and Rahshawn Clark. Both were listed as game-time decisions in the final injury report and both suited up for pregame warmups. Clark was limited to his punt and kick return duties whereas Karnley was held out of the game.CB Emmanuel Karnley (3) also in pads for tonight’s game.#Huskies#PurpleReignpic.twitter.com/PnZvFHu8Xr— Teren Kowatsch (@Teren_Kowatsch) September 27, 2026The shorthanded secondary, and the rest of the UW defense, was unable to provide any answer for Minnesota’s offense and third-year quarterback Drake Lindsey in the first half.The junior signal-caller finished the first 30 minutes of the game 15-for-16 for 125 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first time in his career he had three passing in the first half. Lindsey finished the game 21-for-29 for 204 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.”I thought they did a good job, shout out to them, but we just got to be better making our plays,” UW linebacker Jacob Manu said in a postgame interview Saturday. “I feel like they did a good job of, when we were showing different coverages, running the ball. We just got to make our tackles and make those plays.”Javon Tracy for 6️⃣ @GopherFootballWatch on FOX pic.twitter.com/DtmRsegJQC— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 27, 2026The Huskies were only able to muster one touchdown in the first half.That score came via a 16-yard touchdown pass from Williams to second-year wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck with 13 minutes, nine seconds left in the first half.Washington kicker Tyler Robles connected on a 33-yard field goal with 1:56 left in the first half, which cut Washington’s deficit down to 21-10. The game went into halftime with the same score.Dezmen Roebuck dives in for the @UW_Football score 💪Watch on FOX pic.twitter.com/MTyFihw8vx— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 27, 2026The defense was able to put together a better showing in the second half and limited the Gophers to a field goal. That kick came with 54 seconds left in the third quarter and bolstered Minnesota’s lead to 24-10.Washington’s offense was unable to award its defense’s persistence. The Huskies had four drives on offense in the fourth quarter and only mustered one first total first do