The University of Washington football team made a big splash in their season opener, as they welcomed freshman quarterback Julio Rodriguez to the field. Rodriguez made his debut in a thrilling game against the Oregon Ducks, and he certainly made an impression.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Ducks taking an early lead, only to see the Huskies come back and take the lead late in the fourth quarter. Rodriguez was a big part of the comeback, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another. He finished the game with an impressive stat line of 18-of-25 passing for 231 yards and three touchdowns.
Unfortunately, the game was marred by controversy when Oregon’s starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, went down with a knee injury late in the fourth quarter. Herbert had been playing well up until that point, and his absence was felt as the Ducks failed to score on their final drive.
The injury has sparked debate over whether or not Oregon should have taken Herbert out earlier in the game, as it appears he may have been playing through an injury. The Ducks’ coaching staff has yet to comment on the matter, but it’s clear that the injury has taken some of the shine off of Rodriguez’s debut.
Still, it’s hard to deny that Rodriguez had an impressive debut. His poise and leadership were on full display, and he showed that he can handle the pressure of a big game. It will be interesting to see how he progresses throughout the season, and if he can help lead the Huskies to a successful season.
No matter what happens, it’s clear that Julio Rodriguez made a big impression in his UW debut. It will be exciting to see what he can do in the future, and if he can help the Huskies make a deep run in the Pac-12 this season.
