HUSKY OFFENSE OVERCOMES BAD FIRST HALF
The Huskies offense overcame a lackluster first half in which they squandered golden gifts from the defense by scoring 38 points in the second. The Husky offense was gifted a blocked punt by the special teams in the first quarter and a fumble recovered by the defense in the second quarter. The Huskies converted two field goals from the turnovers and went into the halftime break down 13-17 having scored no offensive touchdowns despite having 65 to 10 advantage offensive yard advantage.
The Huskies scored their first offensive touchdown of the game by going back to basics and opened the second half with a 10 play 75 yard drive that was capped by a Jacob Eason to Jack Westover 3 yard touchdown pass. Five of the plays in the drive were running plays that enable the Huskies to create rhythm and tempo in the play calling. The Huskies running game simply punishing. The Huskies amassed 127 yards in the third quarter with Sean McGrew accounting for 75 of those yards on eight carries. Salvon Ahmed had 47 yards on 16 carries. McGrew finished with 106 yards while Ahmed scored three rushing touchdowns and just missed the century mark finishing with 95 yards rushing.
The balanced play calling kept the Arizona defense on its heels as the Huskies scored on five of there next seven drives.
HUSKY DEFENSE BENDS BUT NO BREAK
The Husky defense started out with its customary first quarter front foot mentally causing three Arizona punts and a fumble. The second quarter was a totally different story. Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate used his speed to elude the blitzing Husky defenders, get out of the pocket and once he in the open field he was able to quickly get the ball out to his receivers. The receivers where running quick under routes that made it difficult for the UW defensive backs to stay with them. Tate passed for 100 yards in the quarter.
As a result, the Husky defense gave up 17 second quarter points. The Husky defense’s second half adjustment of mixing zone coverage with man to man coverage and bringing pressure up the middle rattled Tate and stymied the Wildcat offense. The Husky defense caused a fumble and an interception while giving up a field goal and a late fourth quarter touchdown which came after the outcome of the game had been determined.
