Here are my instant takeaways from Washington’s narrow 27-23 win over Stanford……
1. Gaskin is back
The Huskies have missed Myles Gaskin badly and they finally got him back tonight. The senior only missed two games but it felt like a whole season. The all-time University of Washington leading rusher was back in a big way against the Cardinal. Gaskin rushed 28 times for 148 yards and one touchdown. Without Myles Gaskin, I’m not sure the Huskies win this game. His ability to turn nothing into something is vastly underrated.
2. Offense remains a concern
After their first three drives resulted in touchdowns, it looked like the Huskies offense of old was back. But little did we know they would score just six points the rest of the game. Outside of Myles Gaskin’s rushing yards, the team gained just 223 yards. The Huskies offense had a chance to put this game away early and instead they struggled just to gain positive yardage for most of the second half. It is what it is at this point. Maybe with Gaskin coming back along with Hunter Bryant it changes things in the coming weeks. But right now it’s the offense holding the team back.
3. Keith Taylor and Elijah Molden filled in nicely
Elijah Molden played in the nickel corner spot as Myles Bryant did not suit up for the game. While Keith Taylor has filled in for an injured Jordan Miller on the outside. Both started tonight and looked good. Stanford did have some success through the air but they made a lot of contested catches with their big wideouts and tight ends. Elijah Molden finished with seven tackles and two pass breakups on the night. Keith Taylor finished with five tackles. Both players going forward could have a huge impact on the season depending on injuries in the secondary.
4. Huskies again can’t put the game away early
Yet it was another game that the Huskies could not put the game away early. After getting an early 21-0 lead, UW found themselves only up by a touchdown with nine minutes remaining in the game. While the offense stalled in the third quarter, UW’s defense gave up two touchdowns to give the Cardinal a fighting chance. This has been an issue all year and again it happened tonight. Good teams don’t let their foot off the gas.
5. Looking ahead
This was a must win for the Huskies if they wanted to keep pace in the Pac-12 race. Washington has a bye next week and host Oregon State the following week. A win against the Beavers assures that with a win over Washington State in the Apple Cup, UW would head to the Pac-12 Championship. For Husky fans holding out hope for a New Years Six bowl game – representatives from the Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Orange Bowl were at Husky Stadium tonight. Long way too go but the Huskies still have a lot to play for. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time.
