Wolfpack Week 6 Player Of The Game: Byron Edwards

by Justin Mark

Wolfpack Week 6 Player Of The Game: Byron Edwards

In the Wolfpack’s franchise record 79-19 blowout victory over the Oregon Lightning, defensive back Byron Edwards put on a show. The first-year standout returned a missed field goal for a touchdown and added two interceptions returned for touchdowns, delivering explosive plays on special teams and defense while helping fuel the franchise's highest point total. His performance anchored a complete team effort and delivered a strong statement in the rivalry rematch.

I sat down with Edwards to talk about his massive performance, the team’s mindset, and life off the field with the Wolfpack. The conversation showed a player locked into the culture and hungry to keep the momentum rolling.



A Dominating Defense Meeting Expectations

Edwards’ play aligned with the high bar the Wolfpack defense set for itself this season. I asked him how it felt to get on the field, hit opponents, and have the Wolfpack’s performance improve every game.

“It’s felt great. It’s felt exactly like what was expected when we talked during the pre-season. Just dominating. We talked about having a dominating defense. I remember we were talking about my goals and what I set out to do for the season. I was talking about Defensive Player of the Year, but I want it to be tough so that it’s everybody on this defense that they have to consider. I feel like that’s the level of play that we’ve brought to every game we’ve played this season.”

The Wolfpack took an early Week 1 loss to Oregon. They then battled against last year’s two Championship teams, Nashville and Albany. However, the team has bounced back, staying focused through two straight wins. Edwards embodies the shift. He’s a player who could chase individual glory but chooses to elevate the entire unit instead.

When asked if the locker room vibe had shifted or if they were still just focused, Edwards answered exactly how I expected. 

“It’s kind of business as usual. We have the saying, ‘the standard is the standard.’ At the end of the day, this was the expectation," Edwards said. "We knew this was going to be the way the season was going to go. Now we’re saying, let’s not take our foot off the gas at all. We’ve still got weeks until the season ends, so we’ve got to keep our foot on their necks. Two wins don’t mean anything. We’ve still got our goal to meet.” 

That’s a player hungry for success. The wins are nice, but he knows that he and his teammates aren’t satisfied yet. They’re focused on turning two straight wins into three, and then four, and beyond.

Everything Clicking in the Record-Setting Win

The offense, defense, and special teams all aligned in the dominant performance against Oregon.

“It felt amazing. It goes back to a lot of what was set out in the off-season when a lot of guys made the decision to come to Washington and play here for Coach Wells. That was the expectation. We all knew this was what we wanted to set out to do. Coach has been preaching that this is how the team can be. It’s just about us doing what we have to do and doing our job to actually get those points on the board. In Oregon, it was clicking. It just clicked from the beginning of the game all the way through the fourth quarter, and we just kept rolling with it.”

The Wolfpack set a franchise record with 79 points. They scored just about every way you can score. There were rushing touchdowns, passing touchdowns, kick return touchdowns, defensive touchdowns, a safety, and a deuce. The entire performance was extremely impressive. Edwards accounted for three of those touchdowns. 

The Missed Field Goal Return: Showtime Moment

Edwards turned a missed kick into momentum just before halftime. He zigged and zagged his way through defenders, following blockers, and was determined to get into the endzone. 

“Right before the play, we had that offsides penalty on us,” Edwards said. “So it scooted them up five yards, and I knew Oregon has a pretty good kicker. I was thinking he’s closer now with no scoreboard in his way, so there’s a chance he might make this one. When I saw it in the air, and it hit the net, I was like, ‘Okay, we got showtime.’ I was running, and I remember seeing my lead blockers waving at me to come that way. When I took a peek, I saw nothing but green grass, so I immediately followed my blockers. Then a player tried to cut it off and block the roadway. With everybody trying to go my way, once I went to the left, I knew the right had to be open again. I was just trying to set it up. Once I got back to the right, it was just green grass. Let’s get to the end zone. Let’s end this half with momentum and keep rocking,” were his thoughts as he turned to the right, went upfield, and finished in the endzone. 

Two Pick-Sixes in the Rivalry Rematch

It wasn’t just his return touchdown that helped spark this Washington team’s explosion in points. Edwards also picked off Lightning quarterback Robert McCoy twice! Not only did he intercept it twice, but he also returned both of them for touchdowns. His interceptions carried extra meaning after the Week 1 loss.

“It felt great. We took the tough loss to Oregon in Week One, so this week was all about redemption, making the plays, and showing who we are. That was the whole statement I was trying to make this week,” Edwards said. “I had been telling my other DBs, ‘Hey, we’re getting two picks a piece this week. I can feel it.’ I was saying it all week. So once the ball touched my hands, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, we gotta go to the crib. We gotta score.’ That’s really what it was about, just trying to make the plays and dominate Oregon. We wanted to show that we’re not the underdog in this rivalry.”

The Narrative Is Shifting

The statement win is already changing outside perceptions of the program. It wasn’t just a good performance by the Wolfpack. It was a dominating statement game to show everybody that they can score points in bunches, even when on the road. Winning two straight on the road before returning home to The Angels Of The Wind Arena will go a long way for their season. 

“Now the narrative’s starting to switch a little bit,” Edwards added. “That’s exactly what we were expecting. That’s what we were waiting for. We just gotta live up to it. Now that the narrative has switched to the positive side, we just gotta keep living up to it.”

Looking ahead to their next game at home, the goal is clear. Score even more points. They already know they can score 79 points. “Why not go for more?” Edwards asked. This team isn’t satisfied with just one huge performance. They’ll be looking to continue to improve and continue to put up big points. 

Embracing Life in Washington

The last time I talked with Byron, he had just gotten out to the Pacific Northwest. Now that he has been there, I had to ask how he was enjoying it and what he liked the most about the area.

“Honestly, the scenery and the nature. I’ve turned into an outdoor freak. It’s kind of crazy. The air, the clean air,” Edwards said. He’s been there enough now that he can notice the difference in air quality when the team was on the road earlier this season. Edwards is also appreciative of the scenery and the mountains. “The mountains, I can look out my window right now and see a mountain. That’s something you don’t get in Texas at all, so it’s definitely a different culture shift that I’m starting to love out here.”

Football And Music

When asked what fans might not know about him, Edwards shared his creative outlet.

“When I’m not doing football, I actually make music. I’m a singer and songwriter. That’s my second passion outside of football. I’ve been putting it on break right now because we’re trying to get this championship, but when I’m not playing football, that’s what I’m spending time doing.”

You can find his music under the name Yunte’ on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and all major platforms. 

Living Up to the Standard

Byron Edwards came to Washington as a newcomer ready to be “a dog.” Against Oregon, he showed the bite and, more importantly, the mindset of a player who understands that individual highlights only matter when they serve a larger purpose. In a league full of talent, it’s the ones who buy fully into the standard who separate themselves. 

With the narrative turning in Washington’s favor and the standard firmly in place, Edwards and the Wolfpack aren’t just winning games. They’re building something with staying power. They’ll look to keep their foot on the gas. Their championship pursuit mode is fully engaged. The next test is at home against the Beaumont Renegades, a team they beat 33-32 two weeks ago. They face off on Saturday at 3 PM at the Angels of the Winds Arena for Hometown Heroes Night.