Washington Huskies

USC, Gable Run Over Huskies

September 19, 2009

Game Report Posted: July 18, 2009 18:30  

Little could be done against the Trojans on Saturday as the Washington Huskies fell to the conference powerhouse 51-35.

In what could still be praised as a quality performance for a Husky team coming off of a 0-12 season, the Huskies fell to 1-2 in Steve Sarkisian's first season as Washington head coach.

Sarkisian, who was hired away as USC's offensive coordinator last December, said he was proud of how his team kept fighting against the highly ranked Trojans.

"This is a team who has challenged for the National Championship for about a decade now. You know we just could not carry over any momentum throughout the game," Sarkisian said. "But hopefully we can learn from this and take care of business against Stanford."

One of the biggest reasons for the dominating performance by the Trojans was the pass defense against Jake Locker, who threw three interceptions, one of which that was returned for a touchdown.

"I didn't have my best game today," Locker said. "All you can do is move on."

Nate Williams did provide what may be perhaps the highlight of the season when he picked off an Aaron Corp pass and returned it 102 yards for a touchdown, giving the Huskies a 7-3 lead after what appeared would be a 10-0 deficit.

But that momentum quickly faded as C.J. Gable would total four touchdowns, two on the ground, one in the air, and one kick return.

"C.J. is a tremendous player, I know that first hand from coaching him," Sarkisian said. "If he's not here we could have won this game, but unfortunately they have about eight other blue chippers to back him up who are just as good, no question."

Polk Finds Redemption Against Idaho

September 12, 2009

Game Report Posted: July 18, 2009 18:31  

After a disappointing loss in their season opener against LSU last week, the Washington Huskies came out as a team to be reckoned with by easily putting away Idaho.

In what was the program's first win in nearly two seasons, Washington displayed dominance over Idaho and gave the team a confidence booster heading into a matchup against USC.

"I liked how our guys came out and played today," Coach Steve Sarkisian said. "The team really gelled, and it was refreshing to see that after last week's disappointment."

Chris Polk may have had the the biggest impact on the game by forgetting about his poor performance against LSU and running for an astounding 155 yards and three touchdowns.

"Today I was just feeling better about my game, and that is something that is needed against USC. I'm glad I was able to perform today." Polk said. "This is really my first big game as a Husky."

Perhaps the only question mark of this game was the defense. Coming off a tremendous game against LSU, the Huskies almost allowed Idaho to score as many points as the #5 team in the country.

"I know our guys wish they would have done better," Sarkisian said. "But what is important is that we gout our first win of the season, we just got to take it one step at time. No question about it."

LSU Defense KO's Huskies

September 9, 2009

Game Report Posted: July 18, 2009 18:32  

For the first 3 1/2 quarters at Husky Stadium the Washington Huskies witnessed nothing but LSU defenders swarming over quarterback Jake Locker.

LSU laid out Locker six times while the LSU offensive line allowed zero, which the Tigers took advantage of by jumping out to a 20-0 lead.

It was not until the middle of the fourth in panic mode that the Huskies began seeing some offensive progress. With Locker leading the Huskies in two consecutive drives for touchdowns, the last coming with ten seconds left.

While many doubted the Huskies in this game, it became clear that what the Huskies must improve on for the remainder of the season to rebound off of last year's 0-12 disaster is an improved offensive line and running game.

Chris Polk struggled against the LSU defense, coming away with a YPC average of 2.2 yards.

Sarkisian labeled the performance as "dissapointing."

"If our offensive line plays better we have the opportunity to beat the #5 team in the country to kick off the season. We missed an opportunity."

4th Quarter Madness Ends With Husky Win

September 26, 2009

Game Report Posted: July 18, 2009 21:05  

What seemed to be any regular Pac-10 football game between Washington and Stanford quickly turned into a full on hurricane of madness once the fourth quarter began.

Three lead changes occurred between the Huskies and Cardinal in the fourth quarter, which also saw two kick returns for touchdowns in favor of Washington and two "game winning" drives of forty seconds.

But it was all capped off at the end when Washington's form of a game winning drive concluded with a Paul Homer one yard run with no time remaining on the clock, a gamble that Steve Sarkisian was thankful went his way.

"I followed the cliche of, "go for the tie at home and the win on the road" Sarkisian said. "Our two teams were just trading punches non-stop in that fourth quarter, I think it was best for our team to get out of there ASAP and I thought going for it would give us the best chance of winning, thankfully it went in our favor."

Washington began the game with a 13-0 deficit before the Husky offense was able to put some points on the board.

"We just had a slow start," quarterback Jake Locker said. "Luckily we got going at the end of the first half to give ourselves some momentum, and special teams really helped us out today."

Two of the touchdowns in the fourth quarter came off of kick returns from Jordan Polk and converted quarterback-to-receiver Luther Leonard.

"I just found a hole, and luckily that lead to the touchdown," Leonard said.

No matter how they scored, the conclusion was all that mattered to the team and Sarkisian.

"Some will say we got lucky with those consecutive kickoff returns, but I don't care. We got the win and thats all we care about, no question.

Nothing Like A Champion Today, Huskies Blown Out In South Bend

October 3, 2009

Game Report Posted: July 20, 2009 18:29  

Possibly the worst performance by the Huskies so far this season came against Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish destroyed the Huskies 45-24.

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Claussen had a career day as he threw for 304 yards and 5 touchdowns against a weak Washington secondary.

"We just couldn't do anything to stop that passing attack," Steve Sarkisian said. "I know our guys wanted to play better, but this is all part of the process towards building a national championship caliber type of team. We may have to take our lumps first, but we'll get there, no question."

Washington defensive coordinator was more blunt that Sarkisian, calling the performance "unacceptable" and "embarassing."

"We got our ass handed to us today, I don't want to see another performance like that again this season," Holt said. "You guys will probably blame the secondary, but the fact we didn't have a sack is unacceptable. If we get some pressure on that QB we have a much better shot at winning this football game."

The offensive play also struggled as Jake Locker continues his up-and-down year by throwing three interceptions.

"I'm just not playing well right now," Locker said after the game. "We all need to step it up if we want to reach our goal this year, especially myself."

When asked what that goal was, Locker wasted no time by saying "a bowl game."

With the schedule easing up a bit against Arizona and Arizona State, Washington has a chance to do some damage, but a big matchup against biggest rival Oregon looms in week eight.

"We just need to put this behind us," Sarkisian said. "If we can move on from this everything will fall into place, no question."