Washington and Louisville met in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Tuesday, wrapping up the 2024 calendar with a particularly memorable affair.

After building a 14-point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter, it looked like the Cardinals were primed to pull away and cement a big win. But Washington rallied behind an electric combination of Demond Williams Jr. and Giles Jackson.

The game ultimately came down to a wild goal-line sequence (and ensuing onside kickoff), but the Huskies ran out of time and came up just short in the 35-34 loss in El Paso. Here are the key takeaways as Washington heads into the offseason to retool for 2025:

Demond Williams Jr. provides hope for 2025

Washington was in the rare — and enviable — position of knowing who its starting quarterback was for 2024 but also who the guy would be for 2025 for much of the season. Demond Williams Jr. originally committed to Jedd Fisch and Arizona and was quick to follow Fisch to Seattle in the 2024 recruiting class.

Williams would not start for much of the season but was still utilized behind Will Rogers on certain drives and specific packages. It provided a great way to groom Williams for the starting job, and he was handed the reins for the bowl game.

Williams responded with an electric performance, providing fans a glimpse of what he can do leading the offense. It was a truly dynamic dual-threat showing with Williams making game-changing plays with his legs and an efficient outing with his arm.

Williams also delivered late in the game with a play that can only be described as one of the best of the postseason. After it appeared he would get sacked, Williams kept the play alive dancing in the backfield before tossing a wild big gain before going down.

Williams would even deliver the touchdown the Huskies needed with just 9 seconds left in the game. However, Jedd Fisch determined to go for 2 then and there, and the pass toward the back pylon was broken up by Louisville.

Even in defeat, Williams looked like the best playmaker on the field. He was 26-for-32 passing the ball for 374 yards and 4 touchdowns (with 1 interception). He was also the leading rusher for the Huskies (even with sack yardage included) and had a rushing touchdown for 5 total.

Giles Jackson delivers historic performance

While Washington has some solid playmakers in the passing game, none was better than Giles Jackson on this day. He delivered 11 catches for 161 yards, but it was Jackson’s scoring that went to another level.

He set a career-high with 4 receiving touchdowns, including 2 in the final 3:45 of the game. His 31-yard catch with 3:42 remaining cut into the deficit, and he was amazingly not done yet.

Jackson recorded the 1-yard catch with 9 seconds remaining that allowed Washington to go for the win on 4th-and-goal.

It’s a tough outing to have come in a defeat, but it ties Jermaine Kearse (2010 vs. Oregon State) for the most in a single game in Husky history.

Defense falters away from Seattle yet again

The home-road splits for Washington were a sight to behold this season, and not in a good way. It was clear coming into the season the Huskies would have a pretty tough road slate in terms of mileage, and that proved to have a major impact.

Away from Seattle, the Huskies averaged 35.2 points allowed per game and 30+ points in all but one game. For context, that average would have ranked 124th nationally in points allowed per game.

Though Tuesday’s game was a neutral site, and one played away from the East Coast, the same road effect plagued the Husky defense. They gave up 35 points and over 370 yards in regulation, putting Washington in an uphill battle throughout the second half.

It’s unclear if that’s a true indictment of Steve Belichick as the defensive coordinator or rather an oddity of the 2024 season, but those looking for a change defensively are getting their wish. Belichick is leaving after the bowl game to join his father’s North Carolina staff, and former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters is joining the Huskies to lead the defense.

While Walters’ head coaching tenure was a 2-year flop, he was previously a prominent and well-regarded DC with stints at Mizzou and Illinois. Now, he’ll get to continue his work on the defensive side of the ball in Seattle.