Elijah Brown to start at Purdue as Washington monitors Demond Williams’ ribs

Elijah Brown will start for Washington at Purdue on Friday night, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported, as Demond Williams Jr. continues to recover from a rib injury.

Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Williams is listed as questionable, and ESPN reported that his availability as a backup will depend on how he feels in pregame warmups.

Brown, a Stanford transfer, replaced Williams during Washington’s 41-24 loss to Iowa on October 9. He completed 28 of 39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, leading two 75-yard touchdown drives in the third quarter. Washington had trailed 27-3 at halftime.

Washington enters 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten. Purdue is also 3-3, with a 2-1 conference record.

The change had been expected since Monday, when coach Jedd Fisch said he would be surprised if Williams was ready. Brown has practiced with the first team this week.

Washington is making its first visit to Purdue in 36 seasons. After Friday, the Huskies have an open week before an October 31 trip to Nebraska.

Sources

ESPN: Brown will start; Williams backup availability depends on warmups · Washington’s official Iowa recap and Brown’s relief statistics · Washington’s official Purdue game notes: Friday at 8 ET on FOX