Chris Lawson and a late pick-six lift Washington past Nebraska 17-10

Chris Lawson caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Demond Williams Jr. with 1:30 left, and Alex McLaughlin returned an interception 48 yards for a score 15 seconds later as Washington came from behind to beat Nebraska 17-10 on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

For three quarters, Nebraska's defense looked like it would win the game on its own. Anthony Colandrea hit Carter Nelson for a 24-yard touchdown late in the first quarter, and Washington's only answer before the fourth was a 50-yard field goal from Tyler Robles just before halftime. The Huskies punted on eight of their first nine possessions, according to the Associated Press recap on ESPN.

Washington switched quarterbacks early in the fourth quarter. Elijah Brown had gone 19 of 30 for 136 yards, and Williams came on to lead the Huskies' only touchdown drive, 12 plays and 81 yards. The drive survived because of Lawson. Facing fourth-and-18 with Williams under heavy pressure, Lawson caught a throw near the left sideline inbounds while falling backward in tight coverage from Victor Evans III, a 24-yard gain. Two plays later he caught a short pass, made Dwayne McDougle III miss and dove across the goal line for a 10-7 lead.

Nebraska's next drive lasted one throw. Colandrea looked over the middle for tight end Luke Lindenmeyer, McLaughlin stepped in front, and nobody touched him on the way to the end zone. It was Colandrea's third interception of the night after he was picked on Nebraska's first two possessions. John Hohl's 42-yard field goal with 31 seconds left cut it to a touchdown, but Washington recovered the onside kick.

Lawson finished with 12 catches for 155 yards. Williams went 7 of 13 for 99 yards and also ran for 28. McLaughlin added nine tackles and two pass breakups to the pick-six, and Rylon Dillard-Allen and Emmanuel Karnley had the other interceptions. Punter Hunter Green averaged 48.9 yards on eight punts and put five inside the 20.

Nebraska outgained Washington 387 to 267 and held the Huskies to 32 rushing yards, and it still lost. Colandrea completed 24 of 44 passes for 255 yards. Jamal Rule ran for 72 yards on 13 carries, and Jacory Barney Jr. caught six passes for 65 yards. Kyle Cunanan missed his only field goal try.

Washington (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) has won two straight after a three-game losing streak. Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) has dropped three in a row by a combined 13 points, per the AP.

What's next: Washington hosts Penn State next Saturday. Nebraska plays at Illinois on Friday night.