The University of Washington Huskies ( 7-3 5-2 Pac-12)jumped out to a 21 point first half then held on to stifle a stubborn and determined Stanford Cardinal (5-4, 3-3). Jake Browning’s two-yard touchdown run on the Huskies first possession gave the Huskies the 7-0 lead and his eleven-yard toss to Drew Sample made it 14-0 and with 55 seconds left in the first quarter. Given last weeks dismal offensive showing at Cal, the back to back touchdowns gave Husky Nation some faith in their offense.
Faith turned into downright belief when Husky running back Myles Gaskin’s six-yard run gave the home side a 21-0 lead to start the second quarter. Gaskin’s return to the Husky line up after missing two games due to a shoulder injury seemed to be the tonic for an ailing Husky offense. Husky linebacker Greg Gaines intercepted a K.J. Costello pass but the offense was unable to convert the turnover into points as the Stanford defense drew a line in the sand and stopped the Huskies scoring barrage went into the halftime break down 21-0.
Whatever halftime speech Stanford coach David Shaw game to his team resonated as Stanford went on a scoring barrage of its own. The Cardinal outscored the Huskies 14-3 in the third quarter. Costello hit Kaden Smith with a 14-yard throw and a Bryce Love scored on a five-yard touchdown run. Peyton Henry’s 22-yard field goal was all the points the Huskies could muster as Stanford narrowed the deficit to 24 to 14 after three-quarters of play.
The Husky offense continued to backslide when it ran three plays and punted on its first possession of the fourth quarter. Stanford continued to put pressure on the Huskies when Collin Riccitelli’s 21-yard field made it a one-score game at 24-17. The Husky offense managed to move the ball to the Stanford 22 yard line on its next possession but the Huskies Red Zone woes reappeared and the offense settled for a Henry 38 yard field to increase the lead to ten points at 27-17.
While the Huskies offense sputtered, the Stanford offense continued to sizzle as Costello hit Trenton Irwin with a 33-yard touchdown pass that narrowed the Huskies lead to 27-23. Fortunately for the Huskies Riccitelli’s PAT kick failed and the Huskies were able to hold on for the win.
GAME NOTES
Myles Gaskin went over 100 yards rushing for his school record 23rd time and the third time this season. With his 148 yards, he also moved past Marcus Allen (4,810) into fifth all-time in the Pac-12 with 4,826 career rushing yards.
• Gaskin rushed for the 51st touchdown of his career. He ranks fifth all-time in Pac-12 history (4th: LenDale White, USC, 2003-05, 52).
• Jake Browning rushed for the 16th TD in his career and threw for his 91st in the first quarter. His scores moved him into fifth all-time in Pac-12 for most scores responsible for. He ranks sixth all-time in the Conference with 91 TD’s thrown, behind fifth-place Jared Goff (96) of Cal.
Rk. Name Team (Years) Total (Passing/Rushing/Receiving)
1. Marcus Mariota ORE (2012-14) 136 (105/29/2)
2. Luke Falk WSU (2014-17) 123 (119/4/0)
3. Matt Barkley USC (2009-12) 122 (116/6/0)
4. Matt Leinart USC (2003-05) 109 (99/9/1)
5. Jake Browning UW (2015-18) 107 (91/16/0)
6. Brett Hundley UCLA (2012-14) 106 (75/30/1)
