UW Band member Patrick Stanton and his mom, Terri Stanton, of Lake Stevens. Patrick, traveling with the band, arrived in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon. (Courtesy Terri Stanton)

UW Band member Patrick Stanton and his mom, Terri Stanton, of Lake Stevens. Patrick, traveling with the band, arrived in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon. (Courtesy Terri Stanton)

Dawgs fans have no doubts headed into Peach Bowl

MUKILTEO — In the hierarchy of football fandom, Sam Watkins arguably may be the #1 Dawg.

“I’ve only missed three regular season games since 1989,” he said.

And yes, that’s both home and away games for the University of Washington Huskies.

So it’s no surprise that Watkins and his wife, Susan Watkins, of Mukilteo, are flying to Atlanta to cheer on their Dawgs in Saturday’s Peach Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The winner will go on to the college football national championship game.

“I think we’re going to do better than everybody gives us credit for,” he said. “Some of the things I’ve read, they give us no chance of winning.”

The Huskies will come out with a chip on their shoulders and say, “We’ll show you how much we belong here,” Watkins said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

His tenure as a Dawg fan includes sitting through the 0-12 season of 2008. “Yeah, I suffered,” he said. “All the agony of them not being able to pull out a victory.

“It’s been a long dry spell,” said Watkins , a 1975 UW graduate. “Now we’re getting our rewards with Coach Pete,” — fan shorthand for Chris Petersen.

His longtime loyalty was rewarded earlier this season. Watkins was one of 25 people whose name was drawn from the group who have been season ticket holders since 1991. Each received a gold Husky ring, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the ‘91 team that split the national championship with the Miami Hurricanes.

“It looks like a Super Bowl ring,” he said.

Patrick Stanton, a UW sophomore and Lake Stevens High School graduate, will be at Saturday’s game, as will his mother, Terri Stanton. But she’ll only be able to get a glimpse of her son, a member of the Husky Marching Band.

“He’s really easy to pick out,” his mom said. “He’s a big kid.” She gets texts from people around the country watching televised Husky games who say: “I saw Patrick out there!”

Her son, traveling with the band, arrived in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon.

“To be down here in Georgia, soaking it all up, it just blows my mind,” he said. Band members have several practices, but time is left for its members to enjoy events like the Fan Fest parade and other activities before Saturday’s game.

“This is crazy,” he said. “I took a charter flight to Georgia, I’m staying in a nice hotel and we get to be on live national television.

“I’ve been in band since seventh grade. This is the coolest band thing I’ve ever done.”

Terri Stanton, a 1991 UW graduate, said she remembers the thrill of that national championship year. This year’s success feels much like the thrill of that season 25 years ago, she said.

She and her best friend from college ultimately decided there was no way they could miss out on being at Saturday’s game. “You get to a certain point in your life and it’s no regrets — you just do it,” she said.

Former Everett City Councilwoman Gigi Burke, who now lives in Lake Stevens, may lay claim to the most unusual viewing spot for the game — the Everett Ski Club cabin at Stevens Pass.

TVs aren’t allowed there, “but we make exceptions for certain things,” she said. Tech-savvy friends will be rigging up a connection to watch the game.

She expects a crowd of at least 30 people to watch the game with her. “It’s so exciting,” Burke said. “You’re just so happy for the team and the school and the fans just to see the excitement again.”

Mike Gaffney, of Snohomish, can truly say he knows what it’s like for a team to be in a bowl game. He was a member of the 1984 Husky team that went to the Orange Bowl, coached by “The Godfather” — Don James.

He said this year’s team, with its discipline and strong defense, reminds him of that team.

Gaffney said his family have had season tickets since 1982, his first year on the squad. They’ve received invitations to watch Saturday’s bowl game with friends, but turned them all down.

“My response is I’ll be at my home in full control of every minute leading up to the game, during the game and after the game,” he said.

A family tradition is to have one TV in a room where people can talk and another in the “non-social” room.

“We’re here to watch the game,” he said.

Gaffney said that when he was on the team, the national championship was decided by a vote. The UW lost by two votes to Brigham Young University, he said.

This time, the route to the national championship is being decided on the playing field.

“Everybody thinks Alabama should win,” he said. “That’s all right. Let’s play the game. We’ll see. I think we’ll win.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Everett
Man stabbed in face outside Everett IHOP, may lose eye

Police say the suspect fled in the victim’s car, leading officers on a 6-mile chase before his arrest.

A person walks up 20th Street Southeast to look at the damage that closed the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WA delegation urges Trump to reconsider request for bomb cyclone aid

The Washington state congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump on… Continue reading

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

DNR removes derelict barge from Spencer Island

The removal was done in partnership with state Fish and Wildlife within a broader habitat restoration project.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

A member of the Sheriff's office works around evidence as investigators work the scene on 20th Street SE near Route 9 after police shot and killed a man suspected in a car theft on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Family of Lake Stevens man shot by police sues over mental health care delays

Lawsuit says state failed to evaluate James Blancocotto before he was shot fleeing in a patrol car.

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.