The crowd in Tucson, Arizona was loud all night–and the Arizona Wildcats were not about to go quietly into the night either against the number 7-ranked Washington Huskies. The Huskies had the game plan, and the talent to execute down the stretch, save for one offensive miscue all night.
The Huskies were never able to pull away like they had in the first 4 games, but where in control the whole time as they proved exactly why they deserve that number 7 ranking.
The Huskies deferred the opening kick off giving Arizona the ball first. And the opportunity to make a defensive statement out of the gate. Which they of course did. Tuli Letuligasenoa got into the backfield on the first snap of the day and delivered a big tackle for a loss of three.
The defense would keep up that momentum forcing Arizona into a three and out giving the ball back to the nation’s most dangerous offense.
Arizona had a plan to stop the big plays from the Huskies, and they were relatively successful. Odunze was held under 100 yards for the first time all year
Michael Penix however didn’t seem to mind. He looked composed and in control as he hit the open receiver on seemingly every play as the strings of 5 to 15 yard plays got the Huskies into the red zone as Dillon Johnson would power up the middle to cap off a big drive. 7-0 Huskies.
The Wildcats would do a little better their second time on offense picking up a first down before a Mishael Powell pass breakup ended teir drive.
Penix would look like a general again as the Huskies mixed a well -run game with a variety of passes picking apart the Arizona defense no matter how they lined up. Germie Bernard would end up with the final touch on a fake handoff pitched out to him to scamper in and double the Husky lead. 14-0.
Arizona would finally find a rhythm after converting a fourth down opportunity. As eventually Noah Fifita would throw a TD in his first career start. 14-7.
There was definitely a new life in the building but Michael Penix and Co. didn’t seem to care as they worked their way through every read and every route marching through the Wildcat defense no matter how many DB’s where in the game. Washington running back Will Nixon broke the plane of the end zone, giving UW a 14-point lead, 21-7.
The Wildcats responded with a drive of their own, forcing a field goal with under a minute left in the half.
The Huskies got the ball but couldn’t do to much with it and where forced to punt for just the 10th time on the season.
Arizona would get the ball back but end with a similar fate as Bralen Trice finally got his first sack of the year to get the Wildcats off the field.
Josh Cuevas would be the surprise recipient of the Huskies first real explosion on offense. Cuevas would catch a pass on the left side that would eventually be marked for 57 yards and into the Red Zone.
After penalties almost killed the drive Devin Culp uses the helmet to reel in one of the best catches of the season. The catch went for 18 yards and a Washington first down at the Wildcat 14 yard line. A couple of plays later and Dillon Johnson punched the ball in from the 4 yards out to give the Huskies their largest lead of the game at 28-10.
While Washington receiver Jalen McMillan watched the game from Seattle, Arizona found a answer with their own McMillan as Tetairoa found McMillan for a 1-yard passing touchdown. The score made it 28-17 game with 6:43 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Huskies would get the ball and be forced into a field goal after a series of red zone miscues. But Grady Gross delivered from 37 and it was 31-17 UW.
The Wildcats got the ball and seemed to be putting together a drive until Vincent Nunley stepped in and took the ball away from an Arizona receiver and gave the Huskies a chance to end the game there and then.
And the Huskies where poised to do just that as Dillon Johnson and Germie Bernard took on a work load driving within the ten, but the ball was punched out of Bernard’s arm and recovered by the Wildcats.
The defense would shine on the next possession, big hits in the backfield, making the plays one-on-one, forcing fourth downs, and eventually getting the stop on one. Elijah Jackson was having a day, making every tackle no matter the situation.
UW couldn’t do anything with the ball and Arizona took advantage. Getting down the field and scoring a huge TD to get the game down to 7 points. 31-24.
The onside kick try was far to close for comfort but Rome Odunze got on it to hopefully end the game. But that wasn’t all. It took 4 carries from Dillon Johnson to move the chains and end the scare in the desert.
While the score may not look ideal the Huskies showed some great signs. An established running game, variety in the pass attack, and the secondary showing up to play allowed the Huskies to overcome some miscues and remain undefeated as they prepare for the Ducks.
