The high-octane Washington offense found its groove against the USC Trojans in a memorable shoot out that lived up to its pregame billing Saturday Night at the Coliseum. Dillion Johnson rushed for 256 yards four touchdowns and Michael Penix Jr scored three touchdowns. Penix Jr connected with Ja’Lynn Polk and Devin Culp for the two touchdowns . PEn He made it three when he scored on a one-yard run in the third period The 52 points was the third time the Husky offense surpassed 50 points this season.
USC PROLIFIC OFFENSE
While the offense was having a field day the Husky defense had its hands full. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams showed his credentials for winning the award last year and why he is a candidate along with Penix Jr to win this year’s award. Williams used his feet and arm to pass for 312 yards and three touchdowns. A relentless Husky defense made just enough plays to turn the tide toward the Huskies.
OFFENSE CONVERTS TURNOVERS
The Huskies converted a Zion Tupuola Feti forced fumble into seven points to take a 35-28 lead just before the end of the half and never trailed the rest of the game. The Trojans managed to tie the game but were unable to take the lead. Tied at 42-42 in the third quarter Husky place kicker Grady Gross’s 43-yard field saw the Huskies take a 45-43 lead. On the Trojan’s next drive, Williams was sacked for -13 yards on 3rd and 13 forcing at the Husky 30-yard line and forcing a USC punt.
On the next possession, the Husky offense embarked on a back-breaking 9 play 91-yard drive that ate up 5:22 of the game clock and ended with Johnson scoring his fourth touchdown of the game which clinched a 9th straight win for the Huskies
POST GAME NOTES
Washington is 9-0 for just the fourth time in school history. Here are the five previous seasons that the Huskies started 8-0: 1984 (lost game 10; finished 11-1-0); 1991 (finished 12-0-0); 2016 (lost game 10, finished 12-2).
Washington has won 16 straight games, the second-longest active streak in the country, behind Georgia, and the third-longest in Husky history (longer UW streaks: 40 straight wins 1908-16; 22 straight wins 1990-92).
Dillon Johnson’s second-quarter, 52-yard touchdown run was the longest rushing play of the season for the Huskies. It also put Johnson over 100 yards rushing for the game (he had 10 carries for 104 yards after that play), giving him the second 100-yard game in his career (either at UW or Mississippi State).
Johnson finished with 256 yards on 20 carries. Johnson’s previous career high was 100 yards, on 20 carries vs. Oregon earlier this season.
Johnson’s 256 rushing yards were fifth-most ever by a Husky, and most since Chris Polk went for 284 in the 2010 Apple Cup vs. Washington State. The other three higher totals: Hugh McElhenny, 296 vs. WSU, 1950; Corey Dillon, 259 vs. Oregon, 1996; and Credell Green, 258 vs. WSU, 1955. Johnson’s four rushing TDs are tied for fourth-most in UW single-game history.
Since missing the first field-goal attempt of his career earlier this season, UW’s Grady Gross has now made eight in a row. Washington’s 316 rushing yards were most since the 2017 Apple Cup, when the Huskies rushed for 328. UW head coach Kalen DeBoer is now 99-11 as a head coach, and is 20-2 at UW.
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