Washington pulled off a late fourth quarter comeback that ended with a Tristan Vizcaino 38-yard game winning field goal. Washington beat Utah, 33-30.
Here are my takeaways from the game….
1. When it mattered the most the Huskies shined
The last two seasons, Washington really hasn’t played in many close games. But tonight they did, and they passed the test. Trailing 30-23, Myles Gaskin tied the game with a 2-yard TD run with 58 seconds remaining. The biggest play of the 9-play, 58-second drive came on 4th and 10, when Jake Browning completed a 14-yard pass to move the chains and keep the Huskies alive.
The 58 second drive wouldn’t have been possible without the defense getting a crucial stop on 3rd and 12 the drive before.
After the tying TD, UW’s defense, who struggled most of the night got another key stop and forced a Utah punt. Jake Browning once again led the Huskies on a quick 5-play, 51-yard drive that took just 29 seconds, that would set up the game winning 38-yard field goal. Tristan Vizcaino had already missed an extra point and a 30-yard FG earlier in the game. But this one went right down the middle to give UW the improbable win.
“I’m kind of at a loss for words for it. It felt great, one of the best if not the best feeling you can have as a kicker,” Vizcaino said after the win.
2. Huskies not playing their best football
Washington certainly isn’t playing their best football of the year. In consecutive weeks, UW’s defense has surrendered 30 points. Before last weeks Stanford loss, UW hadn’t given up more than 28 points since the Heart of Dallas bowl in 2015. The defense gave up more chunk plays than usual tonight as well.
For most of the night on offense, UW was very inconsistent. The running game was no where to be found. And the passing game wasn’t great either.
But credit to the Huskies, they found a way to win, playing their C- game.
3. Can’t say enough about Gaskin
The heart and soul of Washington’s offense this season has been Myles Gaskin. UW’s offense until the very end was very inconsistent expect for the junior running back. When the Huskies were trailing 26-13 late in the third quarter, Gaskin caught a 76-yard TD pass. Gaskin also had the game tying TD run with 58 seconds left.
Gaskin’s least important TD, as far as the game was concerned, was his first quarter 9-yard TD run. But that TD run gave Gaksin his 38th career rushing TD at UW, passing Bishop Sankey for most all-time in school history.
Myles Gaskin finished the game with 114 yards receiving, 52 yards rushing, and three total touchdowns.
4. Hats off to Tristan Vizcaino
It’s been a rough year for the former punter turned place kicker. Tristain Vizcaino has missed a lot more field goals than anyone could have imagined this year. But after missing an extra point and a 30-yard field goal earlier in the game, Vizcaino made the game winning, 38-yard FG. After the game you could really feel the emotion coming out of Vizcaino in the post-game media room. It couldn’t have come at a better time.
5. Looking ahead
Washington was eliminated from the Pac-12 title race after Stanford defeated California, 17-14. The Huskies will now play the spoiler role next week when they face Washington State, in the Apple Cup. Washington State needs to beat Washington to advance to the Pac-12 title.
As far as the quality of a bowl game for UW, the Alamo Bowl is likely Washington’s landing spot if they beat Washington State. A loss could spell the Holiday Bowl or worse. The Alamo Bowl had a representative in the press box for UW’s game against Oregon and tonight against Utah.
