By Khalid Bennett
The Seattle Medium
In their final non-conference game of the year, The University of Washington Huskies hosted the Cougars of Brigham Young (BYU) in a matchup between two top 20 teams. There is a bit of a controversial history between these two programs. In 1983, an undefeated BYU team edged out the 11-1 Huskies in the polls as the #1 team in country and that season’s national champions. Then in 2008, Washington and BYU played in a thriller that came down to the last play. Quarterback Jake Locker scored on what would’ve been the game tying touchdown, but excitedly tossed the ball into the air after the touchdown resulting in a 15-yard penalty on the extra point. The extra point was missed giving the Cougars the 28-27 victory. The last time these two programs faced off was in 2013 when the Huskies defeated BYU 31-16 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
After a 21 yard run by Myles Gaskin to start the game, the Washington offense stalled, but it was the Husky defense that set the tone not only in the first quarter, but throughout the game. The Husky defense forced BYU into a three and out and the Husky offense was able to find their stride. UW running back Salvon Ahmed scored the first points of the game on a 5 yard touchdown run following a 68 yard drive by the Huskies.
BYU had the ball for an 8 minute drive late in the first quarter, but a 45 yard field goal was missed by BYU kicker Skylar Southam at what would end up being the Cougar’s best opportunity to score in the first half. Washington came right back with a quick 6 play, 72 yard drive and this time, Myles Gaskin punctuated it with a 5 yard touchdown run.
The next two BYU possessions ended in 6 plays, then a 3 and out, and just before the half, the Husky defense forced a fumble that was recovered by senior linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven at the BYU 24 yard line with 22 seconds to go in the half. This set up a 9 yard quarterback draw by senior Jake Browning for a touchdown making it a 21-0 game in favor of Washington going into halftime.
The Husky defense continued to dominate in third quarter as BYU was unable to get to the 50 yard line. The Husky offense marched the ball down the field at will on each of their third quarter possessions. Jake Browning, who passed Cody Pickett as the all-time leading passer in school history, found senior tight end Drew Sample for a 15-yard touchdown strike to push the lead to 28-0 Washington. Ahmed then found the endzone for the second time with a 6 yard touchdown run following an 8 play, 80 yard drive stretching the Washington lead to 35 points.
Ahmed, who came in as a highly touted recruit, is finally coming into his own in the Husky offensive scheme.
“Now with it being my sophomore year, with every week, I’m gaining more confidence,” said Ahmed after the game.
Ahmed finished the game with 86 yards on 10 carries to lead the Husky rushing attack.
Head coach Chris Petersen was “excited” about how the Huskies ran the ball because it set up everything else that Jake browning was able to do throughout the game.
“I liked how we looked on both sides of the ball, I think we executed to a T,” said Petersen following the game in which he thought was their best all-around performence of the season.
It wasn’t until late in the 4thquarter when BYU scored their only touchdown of the game, a one yard run by running back Lopini Katoa that was set up by a fumbled punt return by Washington receiver Chico McClatcher.
Jake Browning had his most accurate day as a Husky falling just short of the single game record going 23 for 25 for 277 yards. When asked about breaking the all-time passing record, Browning responded by saying “I think it’s cool to be among the names of some of the guys that have accomplished some pretty cool things here. My whole thing with records moving forward is that I hope some other quarterback comes to Washington and breaks them.”
This was one of the biggest wins against a ranked opponent in school history. Washington will take the momentum from this game on the road to face UCLA in Los Angeles and new head coach Chip Kelly, as the 4-1 Huskies look to continue their winning streak against the 0-4 Briuns.
Pictorial Highlights Of UW vs BYU
