Published: Saturday, November 7, 2009
Huskies take aim at UCLA and at ending 10-game road skid
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Elaine Thompson / Associated Press
Washington quarterback Jake Locker throws under pressure during the Huskies’ loss to Oregon two weeks ago. Locker suffered a thigh bruise that game, but has recovered enough to start today against UCLA.
PASADENA, Calif. — The opportunities are dwindling.
If the University of Washington football team wants to salvage something out of the 2009 season — and bowl eligibility is at the top of that list, the Huskies will have to get a rare road win at the Rose Bowl this afternoon.
Washington (3-5 overall, 2-3 in the Pac-10) has not won a road game in 10 tries, and the last time the Huskies won at the Rose Bowl was in 1995. UCLA (3-5, 0-5) has had UW’s number over the years.
“We need to get a win on the road,” Huskies cornerback Adam Long said. “It’s about time we play our best. We can’t hold anything back.”
With four games remaining, the Huskies need at least three wins to become bowl eligible. A road trip to Oregon State next weekend and the season-ending home date with Cal have left UW in need of at least one upset to make it happen. Those games also mean that the Huskies absolutely have to beat the Bruins today and Washington State in the Nov. 28 Apple Cup.
“We’ve got to take advantage of every game right now,” Huskies linebacker Mason Foster said. “We feel like it’s the playoffs. We’ve got four games, and we’re going to try to win them all. It’s coming down to crunch time here, and the atmosphere is definitely intense.”
What makes today’s game imperative is that the Huskies have, on paper, a pretty good chance to win it. The Bruins have yet to win a Pac-10 game and have been outscored 69-36 in their past two games at the Rose Bowl.
And UW, despite the 10-game road losing streak, is actually starting to play better away from Husky Stadium as of late. The Huskies’ past two road games, losses at Arizona State and Notre Dame, both went down to the wire.
“I think we’re close,” UW coach Steve Sarkisian said. “We’re understanding what it takes.”
The Huskies are coming off their worst loss of the season, having gotten drubbed 43-19 by Oregon at home two weeks ago. Washington has had time to recover, and the extra week was particularly beneficial to quarterback Jake Locker.
After suffering a deep thigh bruise in the loss to Oregon, Locker was initially described by Sarkisian as “questionable” for today’s game when this week began. But Locker was named the starter after a solid week of practice and should be back behind center today.
The Huskies will be missing two defensive starters: linebacker E.J. Savannah with a broken thumb and defensive tackle Cameron Elisara because of a persistent neck stinger.
The most obvious injury that UW has suffered in recent weeks is its bruised bowl chances. Four losses in five games have left the Huskies desperate for a win.
And in the Rose Bowl, the Huskies will try to find victory in a historically unfriendly venue.
“To think that the University of Washington hasn’t won at the Rose Bowl since 1995 is a long time ago,” Sarkisian said. “So there are a lot of things in play this week that are making this game intriguing and fun and one I’m excited to be a part of.”
If the University of Washington football team wants to salvage something out of the 2009 season — and bowl eligibility is at the top of that list, the Huskies will have to get a rare road win at the Rose Bowl this afternoon.
Washington (3-5 overall, 2-3 in the Pac-10) has not won a road game in 10 tries, and the last time the Huskies won at the Rose Bowl was in 1995. UCLA (3-5, 0-5) has had UW’s number over the years.
“We need to get a win on the road,” Huskies cornerback Adam Long said. “It’s about time we play our best. We can’t hold anything back.”
With four games remaining, the Huskies need at least three wins to become bowl eligible. A road trip to Oregon State next weekend and the season-ending home date with Cal have left UW in need of at least one upset to make it happen. Those games also mean that the Huskies absolutely have to beat the Bruins today and Washington State in the Nov. 28 Apple Cup.
“We’ve got to take advantage of every game right now,” Huskies linebacker Mason Foster said. “We feel like it’s the playoffs. We’ve got four games, and we’re going to try to win them all. It’s coming down to crunch time here, and the atmosphere is definitely intense.”
What makes today’s game imperative is that the Huskies have, on paper, a pretty good chance to win it. The Bruins have yet to win a Pac-10 game and have been outscored 69-36 in their past two games at the Rose Bowl.
And UW, despite the 10-game road losing streak, is actually starting to play better away from Husky Stadium as of late. The Huskies’ past two road games, losses at Arizona State and Notre Dame, both went down to the wire.
“I think we’re close,” UW coach Steve Sarkisian said. “We’re understanding what it takes.”
The Huskies are coming off their worst loss of the season, having gotten drubbed 43-19 by Oregon at home two weeks ago. Washington has had time to recover, and the extra week was particularly beneficial to quarterback Jake Locker.
After suffering a deep thigh bruise in the loss to Oregon, Locker was initially described by Sarkisian as “questionable” for today’s game when this week began. But Locker was named the starter after a solid week of practice and should be back behind center today.
The Huskies will be missing two defensive starters: linebacker E.J. Savannah with a broken thumb and defensive tackle Cameron Elisara because of a persistent neck stinger.
The most obvious injury that UW has suffered in recent weeks is its bruised bowl chances. Four losses in five games have left the Huskies desperate for a win.
And in the Rose Bowl, the Huskies will try to find victory in a historically unfriendly venue.
“To think that the University of Washington hasn’t won at the Rose Bowl since 1995 is a long time ago,” Sarkisian said. “So there are a lot of things in play this week that are making this game intriguing and fun and one I’m excited to be a part of.”
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