Huskies’ rally falls short at Boise State

  • By Christian Caple The News Tribune
  • Friday, September 4, 2015 11:33pm
  • SportsSports

BOISE, Idaho — Their defense gave them a chance.

Their special teams gave them a spark.

Their offense, led by true freshman quarterback Jake Browning and an inexperienced offensive line, gave them nearly nothing.

And while the Washington Huskies made this season opener at Boise State more interesting than it might have appeared at halftime, they still left Albertsons Stadium in the same fashion as most Broncos opponents.

They lost.

In coach Chris Petersen’s return to Boise, against the program he coached to 92 victories in eight seasons, the Huskies showed that Year 2 of their own Petersen era is unlikely to yield such greatness in a 16-13 loss before a crowd of 36,836.

The Huskies (0-1) did drive to Boise State’s 19-yard line in the final minute with a chance to tie the game, but Cameron Van Winkle missed a 46-yard field-goal try with 21 seconds to play.

The Boise faithful cheered for their former coach here on Friday night, and why not? Petersen did for Boise State what no other coach ever had.

So the mood was not bitter when Petersen walked onto that blue turf an hour before kickoff. Instead, the fans welcomed him with a warm ovation — not thunderous, certainly, any wounds opened by Petersen’s departure apparently healed.

If they knew what his team would play like in the first half, they might have cheered even louder.

Boise State gashed the middle of the Huskies’ young defensive front with 32 rushes for 152 yards in the first two quarters, including a pair of touchdown runs by Jeremy McNichols that helped BSU to a 16-0 halftime lead.

Considering that at that point, the Broncos were outgaining UW 254-56 and the Huskies had achieved just four first downs — their offense again looked boring and stagnant and inert, all adjectives appropriately applied to last season’s outfit, too — the Huskies were lucky to even be within two scores.

They got on the board with a Cameron Van Winkle field goal in the third quarter. Then their special-teams changed the complexion of the game.

After UW’s defense forced BSU to go three-and-out late in the third quarter — Boise State totaled just 83 yards in the second half and did not score — Huskies receiver Dante Pettis returned the ensuing punt 76 yards for a touchdown to cut the Broncos’ lead to 16-10.

And when Jaydon Mickens blocked a Boise State punt with a little less than 10 minutes remaining, the Huskies had the ball at BSU’s 27-yard line with a chance to score a touchdown and take the lead. But drive stalled and they settled for a field goal.

The final drive of the game was the most frustrating for UW. After Browning completed a pass for a first down to Dante Pettis at BSU’s 19-yard line, the Huskies were backed up by a holding call, then backed up again by a sack of Browning that put the ball at BSU’s 37.

Browning, who completed 20-of-35 passes for 150 yards and an interception, threw a screen pass to Dwayne Washington that gained eight yards to the Broncos’ 29, close enough for Van Winkle to try to tie the game.

But he missed, and Petersen left this stadium in a fashion to which he is not accustomed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.