Zach Durfee, Carver Willis injury update: CBS broadcast gives unfortunate news on Washington starters

Washington received some unfortunate injury news Saturday as it attempts to take down No. 1 Ohio State. According to the CBS broadcast, edge rusher Zach Durfee and left tackle Carver Willis have been ruled out the remainder of the game.

Durfee left the game in the second quarter due to an upper body injury, while Willis suffered his injury a few moments later. It’s huge news with the Huskies trailing 7-3 early in the third quarter at the time of this writing.

“Left tackle Carver Willis, we saw him go down at the end of the half. He is out for this game,” sideline reporter Jenny Dell said. “(Jedd) Fisch called him a game-changer and the heart of this O-line. Also earlier we saw edge rusher Zach Durfee. He is out for this game as well.”

Willis is in his first season with the Huskies after transferring in from Kansas State this offseason. He brought 18 games of starting experience with him from his time with the Wildcats and immediately stepped in as the starting left tackle for Washington.

Durfee returned to Seattle this year after starting three of his six appearances during the 2024 season. So far this year, he had recorded six tackles, one sack and four QB hurries.

Now down Carver Willis and Zach Durfee, Washington faces an even taller task in coming back to pull off the upset. We’ll see how the Huskies adjust following these couple of critical blows.

Washington coach Jedd Fisch penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after yelling at official

Washington coach Jedd Fisch was penalized for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in a game against No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday afternoon early in the first quarter. He was livid on the sidelines and approached an official several yards onto the field.

Fisch was arguing a call with 6:22 to play in the first quarter. He ran out onto the field and was demonstrative toward the officials.

CBS broadcaster Gary Danielson described the original penalty as being for a sideline interference penalty on the Huskies. He explained.

“Jedd Fisch is going to say, ‘We got a penalty for being in the white? C’mon!’” Danielson said.

The game was tied 0-0 at the time of the penalty, with Washington looking like it might hold its own against the defending national champion. But Fisch apparently didn’t like the way his team started the game.

Brad Nessler, the other CBS broadcaster on the call, pointed out the Jedd Fisch penalty might have been intentional. He likened it to another sport.

“Well sometimes it’s like taking a technical in basketball,” Nessler said. “Maybe this will fire Washington up. It fired their crowd up, I know that.”