1-0. That’s where the Washington Huskies sit after they showed the nation exactly why they are a top 10 team. The Michael Penix show, includes a plethora of weapons who all created their own headlines.

After all, a 56-19 victory is a team effort.

These are our takeaways from todays action.

Takeaway 1:  Penix Plants Flag in Heisman Race 

Despite feeling a little bit of pressure early on Michael Penix settled in and kicked off his Heisman campaign with fireworks. His 5 passing touchdowns was one shy of tying Jake Browning’s single game record. Jalen McMillan was his favorite end zone target, finishing the game with 3 TD’s (one rushing out of wildcat).

It felt like every pass catcher had themselves a big day as Rome Odunze had 132 yards on seven receptions plus a score, Ja’Lynn Polk went for 101, including the team long on a 50 yard dime from the Heisman-candidate, and a touchdown; and Germie Bernard showed off his shiftiness catching passes for 47 yards and returning kicks for 63 more.

The Husky Tight Ends brought their A-game today as Jack Westover had a touchdown to go with his 59 yards, and Josh Cuevas got involved at the end catching the Huskies final touchdown.

The running game was slower than ideal today but Will Nixon led the way with 48 yards including a 21 yard break. This is the offense that we are used to and the offense we expected. But boy was it fun to watch tearing it up on the field.

Takeaway 2: The Pressure and the Payoff 

The Huskies’ defensive line is going to work. An absolute team effort has seen Boise State struggle any time they try and throw the football. Taylen Green was chased, harassed, and hurried seemingly every time the ball was in his hands. Early in the game defensive lineman Ulumoo Ale got in Green’s face in the end zone, forcing what easily could have been called as a safety for the Huskies.

The Huskies had one sack of Green, but the pressure paid off in other ways, with 9 straight incompletions and a Kamren  Fabiculanan interception with 2:10 remaining in the first half.

Even when they didn’t get the call the Huskies were being felt from then on. Bralen Trice was facing consistent double teams and still managed to force errant throws on multiple occasions.

The pass rush did their part in helping pout the secondary today as a combination of big pressure and good coverage forced Green to go those 10 straight passes without a completion. Even with all that it took to the 3rd quarter before the Huskies got their first tackle for loss as Edefuan Ulufoshio finally got a sack.

Takeaway 3: Solid Play on Special Teams 

In a game where special teams probably weren’t the difference maker the Huskies unit had themselves a day. Everybody who got involved seemed to fill their roll well. Germie Bernard was the first to make his presence felt returning the opening kickoff for 51 yards. From that point on the Broncos would do their best to avoid him returning a kick.

While Bernard was shinning on the return side the kick coverage unit made some impressive plays. Boise State’s first attempt at a field goal was blocked (but an iffy running into the kicker gave them another shot), a hand appeared to scrape a Boise St. punt, and the dawgs forced a fumble on a kick return. The coverage guys where hitting hard especially Maurice Heims with a couple of loud hits.

Grady Gross was one of our players named pregame with “big shoes to fill” and he stepped up going an impressive 7/7 on extra point attempts.  He didn’t attempt a field goal.

Takeaway 4: Secondary Showings Up

Davon Banks might have had the most impressive game of any Husky defender. Of his four pass breakups 3 of them came on third down. Deboer called it “probably the best game I’ve seen from him.”

The sophomore cornerback wasn’t the only Husky to get involved in big plays today. Kamren Fabiculanan had an early interception for the Huskies and Carson Bruener had another plus a 33 yard return.

With the secondary being the puzzle piece that it is expected to be a game like this so early in the season bodes well for the traditionally dominant group.

Check back with RealDawg for more postgame coverage.