Here are my quick takeaways from Washington’s 42-23 victory over Oregon State…..
1. Seniors go out on top
After beating down Oregon State, this senior class has won 37 games and counting. To keep that in perspective, between the years of 2004-2011, UW won just 31 games. This senior class changed Washington football. Not only did they get this program back to respectability but they got back the national attention with their 2016 College Football Playoff appearance.
This is a senior class that features Myles Gaskin, Jake Browning, Greg Gaines, Ben Burr-Kirven, JoJo McIntosh, Tevis Bartlett, Jordan Miller, Jaylen Johnson, Kaleb McGary, and more.
These seniors ended with a 14-game home winning streak and have a chance to win 10 or more games in three consecutive seasons. What a class.
2. Getting healthy at the right time
The Huskies got some key players back today. Starting with left tackle Trey Adams who played in his first game of the season. Adams didn’t start the game but saw some brief action. Getting Adams back could be just what this offense needs in the stretch run. Also the Huskies got back Shane Bowman, D.J. Beavers, Myles Bryant, and Jordan Miller. Bryant and Miller started the game while Bowman and Beavers came off the bench. This is the healthiest this UW team has been all year and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
3. Kickoff coverage much better
Entering the game, Washington’s kickoff return defense ranked No. 89 in the country allowing 21.73 yards per return. It’s been an issue all year but tonight they were much better. Oregon State averaged just 18 yards per kickoff return. Washington also forced three fumbles on kickoffs and recovered one of them. Freshman Edefuan Ulofoshio, making his UW debut forced two fumbles. One of them came on his very first play as a Husky. It was very encouraging to see the kickoff coverage team have a good day because they have greatly underachieved in this area this season.
4. Browning and Gaskin one last time
Myles Gaskin and Jake Browning have played their last game at Husky Stadium together. The duo started as true freshman and have been two of UW’s most important players over the last four years.
Jake Browning picked up his 37th victory tonight as UW’s starting quarterback. That is the most wins by a single QB in Pac-12 history. That right there says all you need to know about Browning.
Myles Gaskin is now just 94 rushing yards away from becoming the 10th player since 1972 (when freshmen became eligible) to rush for 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons.
It’s hard to put in words what these two have meant to the program. And it’s not even over yet.
5. Biggest takeaway
The biggest takeaway of this game is with UW getting the win, next week’s Apple Cup will officially decide who wins the North Division of the Pac-12 and advances to the conference championship. Washington has underachieved this season without a doubt but they can still win 10 plus games, win a conference championship, and possibly make it to the Rose Bowl. Everything is still on the line for a senior class that has already accomplished so much.
