After a week that saw Washington riding high after their home victory over Michigan the sky fell in on the Husky program in a 16-40 lopsided loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Everything that could go wrong for Washington did as injuries and inexperienced depth caught up to the program culminating in the disastrous loss. Like always the Huskies outgained their opponent, this time by only 65 yards, the scoreboard tells a different story.
Even with the miscues in the first half the Huskies had a chance to get the ball after halftime only down a touchdown after Grady Gross nailed a 35 yard field goal with just 30 seconds left on the clock. Washington then gives up a 53 yard run to set up an Iowa field goal as time expired putting Washington into a 10 point hole.
Washington then started the third quarter by driving down the field only to have a poorly thrown ball by Will Rogers picked off and returned almost to mid-field.
After Iowa kicks that field goal putting them up 23-10, Washington caved.
Due to the constricting style Iowa plays, a two score lead in the second half is close to insurmountable. They are too disciplined and Kaleb Johnson will wear a front seven down. With this knowledge Washington was forced to go for 4th and 11 which failed and gave Iowa the ball just 11 yards from the 50.
Then Iowa did what Iowa does.
Washington was forced to be one dimensional and the loss of Maximus McCree allowed Iowa’s front four to dominate the line of scrimmage. Washington was forced again to go for a 4th down try that gave Iowa the ball at the Husky 33 which they turned into a touchdown one play later.
Washington is beat up and desperately needs a bye week to regroup and try to get healthy. The depleted Husky roster has not shown the ability to go on the road and play their style of ball. It also doesn’t help that the roster is missing some key pieces who were supposed to major contributors.
There is no excuses, but the lack of depth and inexperience was on full display in one of the toughest places to play in the conference.
