The Huskies blew a lead for the third time at Husky Stadium this season. This time it came to the No. 9 Utah Utes. Washington jumped out to a 14-3 lead before eventually faltering and losing, 33-28.
“It’s just frustrating,” outside linebacker Ryan Bowman said about the close losses this season.”We know we got the guys. We know we can win those big games. It’s just part of those little things. It’s just like one play can make a huge difference. And that’s just the kind of stuff we got to execute. Just getting better in that department because these are games we can win. So we are really close.”
And there were multiple plays that if it went UW’s way they could have come out with a victory. There’s no better example of that, when Utah faced a 3 and 12 from their own 35-yard line trailing Washington 21-19 early in the fourth quarter. A stop and the Huskies could get the ball back with a chance to put the game away. Instead quarterback Tyler Huntley found Jaylen Dixon for a 41-yard gain that set up the go ahead touchdown. That was a back breaker for the Huskies defense
But even more of a problem, were the three UW turnovers. Quarterback Jacob Eason threw two interceptions and fumbled. One of Eason’s interception’s was returned 39 yards for a Utah touchdown – cutting UW’s lead to 21-19 with 3:06 remaining in the third quarter.
“That’s too many,” Chris Petersen said about UW’s three turnovers. Petersen went on to say that you have slim to no chance of winning when you turn the ball over that many times to a team like Utah.
After Eason’s second touchdown pass to Hunter Bryant to give the Huskies a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter, UW’s offense went blank. The Huskies attempted a staggering 52 passes to just 22 rush attempts. Washington’s offense managed 369 yards of total offense.
“That’s too many,” Chris Petersen said on Eason’s 52 attempts.
The Huskies offense looked so good at the start of the game but failed when they needed to score most. It’s understandable to go away from the run facing the top rush defense in the nation. But to completely abandon the run goes against everything this team is built on.
Washington’s defense did a good job containing Utah’s star running back Zack Moss to a 3.7-yard per carry average. Moss did have 100 yards rushing but it took 27 carries to do it. The Huskies’ secondary was the issue. Quarterback Tyler Huntley completed 19-24 passes, for 284 yards and one touchdown. And again UW’s defense wore down in the second half, allowing 20 points.
Player of the Game
For the Huskies, it has to go to tight end Hunter Bryant. Bryant caught six passes, for 105 yards, and scored two touchdowns. It’s looking more and more like this will be Bryant’s last year in the purple and gold.
Takeaway
Whatever it is, fatigue, youth, coaching, etc., this team just doesn’t seem to have “it” when they need it most. This team is very close to having seven or even eight wins and yet they are 5-4. There’s no one single issue that is the cause but this team just doesn’t make plays when they absolutely need to.
Injury Update
True freshman wide receiver Puka Nacua is out 4-5 weeks after breaking his foot in practice, Coach Petersen said. There is a possibility he returns for a bowl game.
Looking ahead
Washington plays at Oregon State next Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The game airs on Fox Sports 1.
