The Washington Huskies extended their record to 4-1 in the Pac-12 today (6-2 overall) in a hard-fought win over the visiting Colorado Buffaloes by a score of 27-13 at Husky Stadium.
Jake Browning didn’t have a great day according to the stat sheet, but delivered a blow for the win late in the game on a 26-yard pass to give the Huskies a 24-13 lead. Then Ben Burr-Kirven picked of Buff quarterback, Steven Montez with just under three minutes left in the game and Peyton Henry sealed the deal with a 30-yard field goal.
“We kind of grind it out, and the fourth quarter…try to make some things happen”, Chris Petersen said after the game.
Colorado came in to the game having lost on the road last week to USC, and was looking for a desperate win today in order to stay alive in the Pac-12 South Division race, but those hopes were dashed.
Washington, in the meantime, is still very much in the mix for the North Division.
The first half was very sluggish for the Huskies; Colorado got on the board first when Steven Montez and the Buff offense drove 80 yards to score on a pass to Daniel Arias.
The quarter would end without the Huskies putting up any points.
The second quarter saw Washington put the ball on the ground and Salvon Ahmed took it to the house on a seven-yard scamper to open the quarter to tie the game, but Colorado would answer back with a 37-yard field goal.
With 11:03 left in the half, the Buffs led 10-7.
Again, the Husky running game took the Huskies to the endzone when Kamari Pleasant ran it for 15 yards and gave the Dawgs a 14-10 lead. And again, Colorado answered back with a field goal, putting the score at 14-13 going into the locker room.
The game continued to stay close throughout the third quarter; a redzone drive stalled out but Henry connected again from 30 yards out and the Huskies stayed in the lead by a score of 17-13 heading into the last quarter.
Washington didn’t put the game away, however, until late in the fourth. Browning was getting an all out blitz but found his hot receiver, Aaron Fuller for a 26-yard reception and the Huskies took a 24-13 lead with 3:50 left in the game.
“I don’t see (Jake) saw the completion”, Petersen said, “I think he was on his back”.
Colorado tried to get things moving in a hurry, but Montez was picked off by Ben Burr-Kirven, and Henry added three to put an exclamation mark on the game.
“That’s what he does”, Petersen said of Burr-Kirven.
Huskies win, 27-13.
Jake Browing threw for 150 yards, was picked once, and was 15/25, while Ahmed led a tailback-by-committee effort with 73 yards on nine carries. The tailback combined for 201 yards total.
Steven Montez threw for 144 yards, while Travon McMillian led the ground game with 86 yards on 25 carries.
Washington now moves to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the Pac-12, while the Buffs go to 5-2, and 2-2 in the Pac-12 South.
The Good
Levi Onwuzurike had an outstanding game. He was getting into the head of Montez late, and Montez even shoved him after one play. The Husky defense seemed uninspired in the first half but stopped the Buffs cold on a crucial 4th down attempt in the third quarter. The Husky offense, however, was 2-2 on 4th downs for the day. Also, Peyton Henry made up for the missed field goal from last weekend at Oregon and was 2-2 on field attemps.
The Bad
Some of the officiating was questionable. A holding call on Ty Jones when the Huskies were driving in the redzone caused the drive to stall out, instead settling for a field goal. Jones was not even in the vicinity of the receiver. The OL was getting pushed around on several possessions, leaving Jake Browning to run for his life.
The Ugly
Another Chico McClatcher fumble, actually two. McClatcher has had a rough time hanging on to the ball since his return ths season. Jake Browning, while coming through in the clutch, also turned the ball over on a pick where he didn’t look off his receiver.
Attendance: 68, 798
Next up: Huskies will travel to Berkeley next week to play the Cal Golden Bears.
