Washington · Big TenWashington brings standout defense into USC matchup
The Huskies have allowed 105 rushing yards per game through three games, while safety Alex McLaughlin leads the team in tackles, sacks and interceptions.
OCT 2, 2026
rushing yards allowed per game by Washington’s front seven
sacks by Washington’s front seven through three games
Washington’s record after the loss to Minnesota
01 · The NewsWashington’s Defense Meets USC
Washington brings its standout defense to USC on Saturday, Oct. 3, with both Big Ten teams trying to respond to losses suffered on Sept. 26.
The Huskies’ front seven has allowed 105 rushing yards per game through three games and produced eight sacks. Safety Alex McLaughlin has added an unusual threat from the back end, leading Washington in tackles, sacks and interceptions. He is the only FBS player with at least two sacks and two interceptions.
Washington’s linebacker group features Jacob Manu, Xe’ree Alexander, Zaydrius Rainey-Sale and Buddah Al-Uqdah. The defensive line rotation includes freshman Derek Colman-Brusa, senior Elinneus Davis and transfer Kai McClendon. Together, the front seven has given USC a direct problem to solve: run the ball against a unit allowing 105 yards per game or protect long enough to avoid adding to Washington’s sack total.
USC had won four of its first five games before Oregon held the Trojans to 27 points. Washington’s rush defense and pressure arrive in the first game for both teams after a loss, with the result carrying into USC’s road trip to Penn State and Washington’s push through Big Ten play.
Washington and USC kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday. McLaughlin is the player most likely to force USC to account for every part of the field.
02 · The StakesWhat This Game Tests
Washington fell 27-24 to Minnesota on Saturday, Sept. 26, dropping to 3-1. USC lost 41-27 to Oregon that night and slipped to 4-1. Saturday’s game will test whether Washington’s defense can keep the Huskies in the Big Ten race — and whether USC can regain momentum before its Oct. 10 trip to Penn State.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
Washington’s larger test is compressed into 14 calendar days, not confined to USC. The Oct. 3 trip begins a three-game run that continues against Iowa on Friday, Oct. 9, and at Purdue on Friday, Oct. 16. That gives the Huskies a six-day turn after USC and seven more days before their second road game of the stretch.
Washington went 5-4 in Big Ten play in 2025, while USC went 7-2. Holding up through this stretch would provide a stronger measure of whether the Huskies have closed that conference gap than the defense’s three-game statistical sample does.
04 · The Open QuestionsQuestions to Be Answered
Will Washington’s defensive numbers hold up against USC?
The available profile stops after three games and does not include Washington’s complete defensive statistics or national ranking. USC is the first opponent in a run followed by Iowa on Oct. 9 and Purdue on Oct. 16, so the rushing yardage and sack count from Oct. 3 will show whether 105 yards allowed per game and eight sacks travel into the decisive part of the schedule.
05 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Can USC run the ball?
The tell is whether the Trojans can improve on Washington’s front seven allowing 105 rushing yards per game through three games.
Can Washington’s pressure reach the quarterback?
Watch whether USC adds to the eight sacks Washington’s front seven has produced through three games.