Huskies Use  Bruising Run Game And Hard-Nosed Defense in 20-13 Win   Over Stanford

It took some hard-nosed defense old-fashioned downfield running and a gutsy call at the end in order for the Huskies to pull off a thrilling  201-13 win over the Stanford Cardinal. It was the first Husky win at Stanford since 2007.

THE RUN CAN SET UP THE PASS IF YOU ARE PATIENT

After rushing for just 88 yards last week against the Arizona Wildcats and narrowly avoiding another embarrassing loss the Huskie’s coaching strategy was clear. Run the ball against a Stanford team that has the worst rush defense in the conference.

The Huskies finished the game with  375 total offensive yards. 229 were on the ground. How lethal was the Huskies’ rush attack? Sean Mcgrew has 19 carries for 114 yards and right behind him was Cameron Davis who had 18 carries for 99 yards.

In the first half alone, the  Huskies had 124 rushing yards averaging 6.9 yards per carry. The  Huskies had  194 yards in the first half and only led 9-3 at the half.

DEFENSE DOES IT PART

What kept the Huskies in the game besides the bruising rush game was the play of the Husky defense and its ability to create crucial turnovers and big plays.

Jackson Sirmon had an interception in the second quarter at the UW 11-yard line stopping one of  Stanford’s most impressive drive. While the  Husky offense was unable to turn the Cardinal transgression into points it was a major moment swing in the game in the Huskies’ favor.

The Huskies’ second turnover was a Sav’ell Smalls fumble recovery in the third quarter after Carson Bruener sacked  Stanford quarterback Tanner McKie for a nine-yard loss.

Bruener had a career day with 11 solo tackles one sack and the forced fumble.

The Husky defenses biggest play came in the fourth quarter when it forced a Stanford three and out after the Husky offense turned the ball over on downs. The Huskies were trailing 12-13 when it forced a Cardinal punt.

HUSKY OFFENSE FLEXES MUSCLES  THROWS CAUTION TO THE WIND

With the ball in hand and at its own 33-yard line and  2:51 of game clock left there were questions on whether the Huskies would run or pass their way to field goal range. The answer was a little bit of both. The first play of the drive was an 11-yard completion from Dylan Morris to  Jalen McMillan. The next five plays were all on the ground. The first three plays featured McGrew then two by Davis. With the ball at the Stanford 20 yard and the Huskies facing a third and two with 26 seconds left in the game, both teams called a time out.

ONE LAST SHOT

 After the chess match, Morris snapped the ball and to the surprise of everyone but the Husky offense, Morris threw a 20-yard dime to MacMillan who was open in the back of the season for the game-winning score. The Huskies went back to their old ways when Giles Jackson found the endzone on the two-point conversion to give the Huskies the 20-13 lead with 14 seconds left in the game.

Husky defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles sealed the deal when he intercepted  Stanford qb Tanner McKee’s pass to end the game.