In what amounted to a dress rehearsal, the University of Washington football team turned in two hours of scrimmaging on an overly comfortable Saturday night in Husky Stadium that served up a little of everything.

Speed, more speed and even news that emphasized speed.

On the third snap, Quaid Carr broke a 56-yard touchdown run, likely putting to rest any thoughts that someone other than the second-year running back might start the Sept. 6 opener against Washington State in the Apple Cup.

One of the multitude of talented freshmen defensive backs provided some excitement, as well, with nickelback Ksani Jiles pilfering a Kini McMillan pass in the flat and returning the interception 43 yards up the sideline unheeded for a score.

Meeting with media members afterward, Jedd Fisch was in a buoyant mood, declaring that his team was in good physical shape after 14 fall practices and that most of the injured would be available over the next few days.

He also tends to get a little giddy, if not ahead of himself, when he begins discussing one of his promising freshmen and ends up breaking big news.

In this case, Fisch confirmed that first-year edge rusher Ramzak Fruean had earned a starting job, which means the Huskies will be opening the season with three freshmen against the Cougars, including two among its four-man defensive front.

"Ramzak is going to start for us, there's no question about that," the coach said .

The coach did this sort of reveal with offensive tackle Kodi Greene, as well as defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa, guaranteeing these freshmen had starting roles well before spring practice even began.

Two weeks into fall camp, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Fruean moved into the rotation with the No. 1 defense, replacing an injured Isaiah Ward, and played so well he's not coming out any time soon because of his elite speed.

On Saturday night, the Hawaii native was so fast in getting into the backfield he sometimes would just keep running upfield in a sprint, past all of the action, just so the Huskies could get off a play.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Carr showed off his breakaway speed by going over the left side of the line like a shot and bursting into the open, with safety Rahim Wright the closest to him in pursuit, and not really close at all.

No one was anywhere nearJiles either. McMillan apparently didn't see IMG Academy import from Florida lurking in the secondary and the second-year quarterback had to pay for this mistake.

Meantime, Fisch said he expected almost everyone to be back this week and ready to play, including Mississippi State and SEC defensive tackle Kai McClendon. His return is much anticipated.

"I expect to be back this week," the coach said of the 6-foot-2, 340-pound defender. "He's been doing individual [drills] the last five days and now he would ready for normal practice beginning Tuesday."

Others who watched Saturday's scrimmage and should return are linebackers Jacob Manu and Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, cornerback Dylan Robinson, wide receivers Dezmen Roebuck and Jordan Clay, offensive guard Champ Taulealea and possibly center Landen Hatchett.

"We got through camp and we're getting everyone back at the right time," said Fisch, who has a 102-player roster.

From the scrimmage, however, freshman wide receiver Mason James took a visciouhit to the midsection from Virginia cornerback transfer Manny Karnley while reaching for a pass and was left prone on the ground, surrounded by trainers, for several minutes.

James gingerly walked off the field supported by his coach Kevin Cummings. There was no word on his health.

Of the two veterans who came back after fall camp started to claim a fifth year of eligibility, former defensive tackle starter Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei and one-time No. 1 kicker Grady Gross were in uniform but didn't take part in the scrimmage.

The coaching staff is waiting to see how everything sorts itself out after an appeals court ruled that seniors who finished up last season couldn't claim the fifth season.

The Huskies have two weeks of practice remaining, logically putting in some finishing touches before moving into game-week preparation. There shouldn't be too many surprises.

"I think a lot of guys know where they are on the depth chart," Fisch said. "We're [14] practices in and we know where we are, with a couple of jobs up from grabs. We have a rotation."