PULLMAN — Just call him Big Play Budda.
University of Washington safety Budda Baker is arguably the premier playmaker on the Huskies’ defense, and once again he was at the center of the big defensive plays Friday as Washington defeated the Washington State Cougars 45-17 in the Apple Cup at Martin Stadium.
The Huskies’ defense made the plays when it needed to Friday, stopping the Cougars three times on fourth down and forcing four turnovers. And as has become commonplace, it was Baker who led the way.
Baker, a junior and an All-American candidate, was all over the field for Washington’s defense Friday. He made the stop on the goal line on a fourth-down play in the third quarter to thwart a Washington State comeback attempt, and he had an interception in the fourth quarter that helped seal the victory. He finished the game with a team-high eight tackles, including two for losses.
It was just more of the same for Baker, who’s made play after play for Washington’s defense this season.
“Budda always makes plays,” Washington coach Chris Petersen said after the victory, which put the Huskies in the Pac-12 championship game. “He makes plays, he plays efficient. You know he’s going to play well.”
Baker’s biggest moment came late in the third quarter. After trailing 35-10 at halftime, Washington State was showing signs of life. The Cougars scored a touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter and then, after forcing the Huskies to go three-and-out, they embarked on another long drive.
But after the Cougars drove inside the UW 5-yard line, the Huskies stiffened, forcing fourth-and-goal from the 1. Washington State called for the read option, with quarterback Luke Falk handing the ball off to Gerard Wicks. Baker, whose closing speed is one of his best attributes, raced in off the edge and brought Wicks down for a 1-yard loss, turning the ball over to Washington and keeping the score 35-17. The Huskies scored on the following drive to end any thoughts of a comeback.
After the tackle, Baker remained on his back for several moments, bouncing excitedly in celebration of the play.
“That was a blitz,” Baker said. “I knew Luke doesn’t really keep the ball, so I knew I could go flat. Our defense got a great push and I got his legs.”
Baker wasn’t the only one on Washington’s defense making plays. Linebacker D.J. Beavers, filling in for the injured Azeem Victor, had a fumble recovery that set up a short field for Washington’s second touchdown, then had the interception on Falk’s ill-advised pass into the end zone at the end of the first half. And the Huskies were stout on the goal line as Washington State, known more for its passing attack, surprisingly dialed up running plays repeatedly when on the doorstep.
“We’ve got great D-linemen, great linebackers,” Baker said. “They ran the ball a lot in the red zone. For us it was stopping the run, and when they passed, we tried to contest it.
“It’s really cool, winning the game and winning the way we did,” Baker added. “But for us, we’re going to celebrate tonight and get back to it tomorrow.”
Extra points
Lynnwood’s Myles Gaskin was the only one of the 10 members of the two teams with Snohomish County ties to have a significant impact on the game. The Washington running back carried the ball 16 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. … Huskies safety JoJo McIntosh, who missed last week’s 44-18 victory over Arizona State because of an undisclosed injury, was back in the lineup Friday and finished as Washington’s second-leading tackler with six. … Huskies linebacker Keishawn Bierria, who came into the game as the team’s second-leading tackler, barely played in the second half. Petersen said after the game he didn’t know why Bierria was held out. Ben Burr-Kirven played in Bierria’s place.
For more on the Seattle sports scene, check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at www.heraldnet.com/tag/seattle-sidelines, or follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
