By Khalid Bennett
The Seattle Medium
After a disappointing road loss to Boise State to start the season, the Washington Huskies opened their 2015 home schedule with a convincing and confidence boosting win against the visitors from Sacramento State.
Although there had been controversy over the starting quarterback position, head coach Chris Peterson decided to stick with true freshman Jake Browning for this rare morning contest between two teams that had never met before Saturday’s game. Browning threw two touchdown passes, both in the second half, for the first touchdown passes of his career.
The first half featured the rushing of another true freshman in O’Dea high school grad Myles Gaskin. Gaskin, who scored two of Washington’s four touchdowns in the half, finished the game with 146 yards and three touchdowns, as he averaged over 10 yards per carry on the day.
The Washington defense was able to secure a 49-0 shutout in which they gave up only 11 yards rushing and 212 total yards. The strong defensive effort culminated with a fierce goal line stand in the third quarter, after a Washington fumble gave the ball back to Sacramento State on the Washington four yard line. After the fumble, the Husky defense was able to back the Hornets up to the 31 yard line and hold Sacramento St. to a field goal try. The 48 yard attempt was blocked by Taniela Tupou to cap off what had been an excellent day on the defensive side of the ball by the Huskies.
The Husky offense was able to rack up 544 yards, with 326 yards coming off the arm of Browning. Washington’s next opponent will be Utah State as they try to build off the momentum of this win, and carry it on to next week.
