Right now the Huskies seem to be hitting on all cylinders. I mean I remember a time when everyone in Husky Stadium would break out their good luck talisman anytime Washington would attempt a field goal. Saturday against Stanford Washington Place Kicker Peyton Henry was 4-for-4. Last year they averaged less than 2 sacks per game and I seem to remember nine interceptions the last four games of 2021 and more than once where the Washington QB would throw more picks than TD’s. Against the Cardinal the Defense recorded 65 tackles, 8 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss and Junior QB Michael Penix Jr. connected on 22-of-37 for 309 yards, 2 TD’s and no interceptions.
With two starting cornerbacks out the outstanding pass rush couldn’t have come at a better time. In spite of that, Stanford Junior QB Tanner McKee was still able to connect on 65% of his passes for 286 yards, 3 TD’s, and just 1 interception. The Stanford running game was a one man show with Junior RB Casey Filkins rushing 20 times for 100 yards even, but the Cardinal would end up rushing 36 times for just 86 yards total as McKee ran 13 times but ended up losing over 30. For the Huskies, Senior RB and Virginia transfer Wayne Taulapapa had a career game rushing 13 times for 120 yards (9+ yards per carry) and one of the two TD’s on the ground while Sophomore WR Rome Odunze averaged 20 yards a catch while bringing in 8 receptions for 161 yards and 1 of the receiving TD’s.
Washington won the toss and deferred but held Stanford to a three-and-out on their first drive, leading from start-to-finish while holding them to just seven points through three quarters, ahead 30-7. The Cardinal would eventually score a TD before the half, but the rest of their possessions over the first two quarters would consist of two punts, a fumble, and an interception that would result in points on the board for the Huskies. They couldn’t score a single point in the 3rd Qtr but did make a run in the fourth scoring on a 17 yard TD pass from McKee to John Humphries closing the score to 30-15 after a successful 2 point conversion. But on Stanford’s next possession they fumbled the ball on their own 37 yard line and six plays later Penix connected with Giles Jackson for a 21 yard TD. After Peyton Henry’s fourth extra point of the game the Huskies were out in front 40-15. Stanford came back in the last three minutes of the game to score again with a pass to Michael Wilson that ended up in the end zone after a 78 yard run. Final score 40-22.
It doesn’t get any easier next week for either team as they’ll both be on the road with Washington out to the Rose Bowl to meet UCLA and the Cardinal to Autzen Stadium in Eugene to take on the Ducks.