By Khalid Bennett
The Seattle Medium
It didn’t take long for the University of Washington Huskies to get things going in their match up against Fresno State, their last non-conference game of the regular season. After the defense started the game with a quick stop, it only took the Husky offense only five plays to score the first touchdown of the evening. Running back Myles Gaskin was able to get loose down the sideline for a 28-yard touchdown run that opened the flood gates for an incredible, high scoring first quarter for Washington.
The Huskies scored a touchdown on every offensive possession of the first quarter including a punt return for a touchdown by Dante Pettis which not only tied the NCAA career record of 8, but also the NCAA record for consecutive games with a punt return for a touchdown with one in each of the three games they’ve played this year. Pettis was able to find the end zone two more times in the first half, along with Gaskin who scored three touchdowns himself, as the Huskies rolled to a 41-7 halftime lead.
The second half wasn’t much different for Washington as Pettis continued to scorch the Fresno State secondary. The senior receiver added to his touchdown total by hauling in a 74-yard pass down the middle of the field from UW quarterback Jake Browning on the second play of the half making it 48-7 early in the third quarter. Browning finished the day completing 19 of 22 passes for 255 yards and 4 touchdowns before making way for junior quarterback K. J. Carta-Samuels to get some playing time. Pettis ended his evening with 5 catches for 92 yards, three of which resulted in touchdowns.
The Husky defense had three more takeaways to lead the conference in turnover margin. Washington also has the #1 overall defense in the conference. A statistic that older Husky fans can remember being a constant when Washington would consistently challenge for conference supremacy.
The Final score, Washington 48, Fresno State 16.
The Huskies will open conference play next week on the road when they take on Colorado.
Pictorial Highlights from UW – Fresno State game
Photos by Aaron Allen
