Today we look at the grade report for Washington’s 28-14 win over the USC Trojans.
The Offense
Washington’s offense started off hot – scoring touchdowns on two of their first three possessions. The Huskies offense took advantage of UW’s great defense as both touchdown drives started in USC territory. But the Huskies would go on to score just 14 more points in the final 47 plus minutes of the game.
Jacob Eason and the passing game seemed a bit off. Eason completed 16-26 passes for 180 yards and no touchdowns. With USC banged up in the secondary and starting so much youth you would have expected a better day from Eason and the passing game but it didn’t happen.
As far as the run game, Salvon Ahmed’s 89-yard TD in the third quarter sealed the game. Sure UW’s rushing stats leading up to that point weren’t great but all it takes is one play to change the game and credit to Ahmed and the offensive line on that play.
The most questionable call of the game came when UW tried a double reverse up 28-14 with just under 13 minutes in the game. Tight end Hunter Bryant ended up fumbling trying to pitch the ball and USC recovered. It was clear the Huskies were trying to end the game with a bang but it just wasn’t the right time. After the game head coach Chris Petersen put the blame on himself for the play call.
Washington’s offense scored 28 points but with how well the defense was playing, an injured USC secondary, they should have scored more.
Grade: C
The Defense
Washington’s defense made quarterback Matt Fink confused the whole day. Fink threw three interceptions against UW’s stout secondary. And when USC looked like they were going to cut the lead in the second half to single digits, cornerback Elijah Molden intercepted Fink at the goal line. Two plays later, Salvon Ahmed ran for an 89-yard TD that sealed the win.
Coach Petersen called Molden’s interception a “game changer.”
True freshman safety Cameron Williams added two interceptions.
The Huskies allowed just 163 yards passing and 375 total yards. Sure USC ran for 212 yards but that played mostly in to the design of UW’s defense. Washington also held talented WR Michael Pittman to 64 yards receiving with 44 of Pittman’s yards coming on a busted coverage TD.
This was Washington’s best defensive performance of the year.
Grade: A-
Special Teams
Washington’s special teams have been outstanding all season long and they were no different last Saturday. Kicker Peyton Henry made both field goal attempts and is now 9-9 on the season. Punter Joel Whitford had three punts that were downed inside the 20-yard line.
Punt returner Aaron Fuller is really starting to get loose the last few weeks. Against BYU, Fuller had an 88-yard punt return TD. Against USC, Fuller had a nice 12-yard return that set up UW’s first score of the game.
After a disappointing 2018 for Washington’s special teams unit, it might be UW’s biggest strength this season.
Grade: A-
