SEATTLE — The University of Washington’s 41-17 victory over California on Saturday night was convincing, but unfortunately costly, too.
The Huskies have apparently lost wide receiver Kasen Williams for the rest of the season following a severe ankle injury that occurred in the second quarter.
“It’s not good,” UW head coach Steve Sarkisian said after the game. “There’s a break and a dislocation in his foot … and he’s going to be out quite some time.”
It is, Sarkisian added, “a play that’s probably going to end Kasen’s season.”
Williams, a gifted junior, suffered a broken bone and a dislocation in his foot when he fell to the turf after attempting to make a reception in the second quarter. A California defensive back landed on the back of Williams’ leg, causing the injury, and he had to be helped from the field.
The play happened on a deep passing route up the sideline, just in front of the UW bench. Williams had a step or two on the Bears defender, but the pass from quarterback Keith Price was underthrown and that forced Williams to slow down, which led to the injury.
Knowing that, Price was clearly remorseful after the game.
“It was underthrown, and if I would’ve thrown it further, he probably wouldn’t have been injured,” Price said. “It’s just a tough situation. I definitely could’ve led him a little bit more and, who knows, he probably could’ve scored a touchdown instead of being injured.”
Sarkisian later said Price shouldn’t blame himself, instead calling it an “unfortunate (play) that happens in our game.”
But Sarkisian was also feeling for Williams, whom he called “a great kid. … He comes with a great attitude every day and he’s one of the leaders on this team. … We’ll take care of him physically and mentally, and get him back, and he’ll be a great player for us in the future.”
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