Here are my takeaways from Washington’s 27-13 win over Colorado….
1. Ben Burr-Kirven
It took just eight games for linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven to eclipse the 100 tackle mark. After a 15-tackle performance today against Colorado, Burr-Kirven has 108 total tackles this year. To go along with his 15 tackles today, Ben Burr-Kirven also had an interception.
It’s hard to imagine this defense without Burr-Kirven. He’s a mid-season All-American and has quickly established himself as the leader of this defense. You can’t say enough about what No. 25 means to this team.
2. The offense is what it is
Through eights games, Washington’s offense is just an above average offense – nothing more. Every time this season the offense seems to be gaining momentum something seems to stall progress. Whether it’s the redzone, turnovers, or third downs. In Washington’s two losses this season, the offense scored a combined three points in the fourth quarter of those contests.
Today, the offense performed like it had all season. Some good, some bad. But it was mostly a disappointing day. After scoring on consecutive drives Jake Browning threw a costly interception before the first half – ending the momentum they had. When UW was about to go up by 11 points early in the fourth quarter Chico McClatcher fumbled the ball into the end zone.
Again, I’m not saying this offense is terrible but they are just too inconsistent at this point of the year.
3. This team continues to struggle to put games away early
All year the Huskies have struggled to put teams away in the fourth quarter or earlier when they had a chance. Today, the Huskies had multiple chances to put this game away in the third quarter and failed to do so. It’s a penalty here, a turnover there, or one bad executed play at the wrong time. This team is a 37-yard field goal and one properly executed play in the red zone against Auburn from being 8-0.
It’s frustrating to think about but maybe with four regular season games left, they can put these games away early and make it to the Pac-12 Championship.
4. Gaskin gets a much needed day off
Myles Gaskin sat out of today’s game after battling through a shoulder injury the last two games. Gaskin toughed it out through the UCLA game but missed most of last week’s second half against Oregon. Incredibly it was Gaskin’s first career missed game.
The rest could very well benefit Gaskin and the team as they are on the road next week at California. Getting Gaskin back healthy for the stretch run could be the difference in making a Pac-12 Championship game.
And don’t expect Gaskin to be out very long. “We’ll get him back soon,” Coach Petersen said after the victory.
5. Home field advantage
It hasn’t been mentioned much but the Huskies now have a 12-game home winning streak. During the 12-game win streak, dating back to 2016, UW has won 10 of those games by double-digits, and eight of them by more than 20 points. UW’s last loss at home was on November 16, 2016 against USC.
So to sum it up, if you’re a season ticket holder you have been enjoying your team’s home games for the last two years.
