With the Trojans driving and looking to get back in the game in the third quarter, Washington’s defense like they have so many times over the last few years made a game changing play. USC quarterback Matt Fink was looking for his star wide receiver Michael Pittman in the end zone but defensive back Elijah Molden was right there and intercepted Fink’s pass to maintain Washington’s 20-7 lead. Two plays later, Salvon Ahmed showed off his speed with an 89-yard TD run that put the game on ice. Washington would go on to beat the No. 21 ranked Trojans, 28-14.
“I thought that was game changing,” Washington head coach Chris Petersen said about the Elijah Molden interception.”That saved us. That was a 14-point swing. He picked it off and two plays later, Salvon Ahmed goes the distance. That was the sequence of the game. It was game changing for sure.”
The Huskies defense made Matt Fink’s first career start feel very uncomfortable. Washington intercepted Fink three times. True freshman Cameron Williams had two interceptions and Elijah Molden had one. The key to UW’s defense was bending but not breaking. USC was just 1-for-3 in the redzone with an interception.
The Trojans had a lot more success on the ground. USC rushed for 212 yards. UW gave up their second longest play of the season in the third quarter, when Stephen Carr broke free for a 60-yard run. Petersen went on to say that UW did miss some tackles and needed to be better in fitting the run gaps.
Washington’s offense started off hot thanks to the defense setting them up with good field position. The Huskies scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives starting in USC territory. Richard Newton scored a 1-yard TD to get the Huskies on the board. On UW’s next drive, Salvon Ahmed fumbled on the goal line but WR Andre Baccellia recovered the ball in the end zone for a TD. The offense finished the game with 373 total yards. Quaterback Jacob Eason completed 16-26 passes for 180 yards.
Offensive player of the game
Salvon Ahmed finally showed how explosive he can be with an 89-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Ahmed finished the game with 156 yards rushing and a touchdown. The junior’s 89-yard td run was the fifth longest rushing TD in UW history.
“I just saw a backside hole with one guy in there,” Ahmed said about his long TD run.”I just tried to make him miss and try to go. When I was finishing the run I looked up at the screen there was a guy kind of close behind me so I had to kind of turn it around. Yeah, I mean, the offensive line created a hole on the backside and I made the play.”
Defensive player of the game
Cameron Williams did have two interceptions but my defensive player of the game was Elijah Molden. The junior’s interception in the third quarter was a complete game changer. If the Trojans score there, it’s a one possession game. Molden finished the game with six tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup.
Takeaway
The biggest takeaway for me was the defense. Sure UW gave up some big plays and are still making some mistakes. But the Huskies held USC to just 14 points. The Trojans entered the game averaging 33.0 points per game. The Huskies also got another three takeaways. After not having a takeaway in the first two games, UW has forced nine turnovers in the last three games.
Looking ahead
Washington faces Stanford in Palo Alto next Saturday night. The game is at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
