California holds on to beat Huskies 30-24

  • By Rich Myhre Herald Writer
  • Saturday, September 26, 2015 8:16pm
  • SportsSports

SEATTLE — In a game of many mistakes, the University of Washington football team still had a chance to come from behind and defeat California on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium.

One final mistake took care of that last-gasp scenario.

Hoping for a go-ahead touchdown with just under three minutes to play, Washington instead turned the ball over on an interception thrown by freshman quarterback Jake Browning. It was the fifth turnover of the game for the Huskies, and California was able to run out the remaining seconds for a 30-24 victory in the Pac-12 Conference opener for both teams.

“We were ready to go down the field and score, and then we turned the ball over again,” said a disconsolate Browning said. “You can’t do that.”

Turnovers were the most grievous statistic for the Huskies, but there were also significant imbalances in total yards (481-259) and time of possession (39:49-20:11) coupled with a bunch of missed tackles for Washington.

“Turning the ball over, missing that many tackles, getting beat that bad in time of possession, that’s a recipe for disaster,” acknowledged UW head coach Chris Petersen.

“We competed hard, especially on defense,” he said. “They were swinging to the very end and I’m really proud of them for that. But (it was) frustrating on offense. … I don’t think you’re going to win many games in this league when you turn the ball over like we did.”

The Huskies were impressive in one-sided wins over Sacramento State and Utah State the past two weeks, but the Golden Bears were clearly superior to those squads and Washington simply had trouble matching up at times, particularly on offense. On their first nine possessions the Huskies scored points only once — a touchdown late in the first quarter — and by then California already led 27-7.

Two TDs late in the third quarter — one on a crowd-thrilling 70-yard fumble return by cornerback Sidney Jones — tightened the score, but Washington was undone in the fourth quarter by two more turnovers.

“You can’t have that many turnovers and expect to win the game,” said UW tight end Joshua Perkins.

For all their offensive miscues, the Huskies had two touchdown drives that were almost flawless. The first in the opening quarter covered 71 yards in five plays, all carries by running back Dwayne Washington, with the final 14 yards coming on a burst up the middle. The second TD drive midway through the third quarter went 65 yards in 10 plays, with Browning completing six of seven passes for 54 yards, though the final 2 yards came on an end sweep by Chico McClatcher.

“At times we made it look so easy,” Petersen said. “We know it’s not going to be that easy all the time, but it needs to be easier than it was that whole game where we were kind of stumbling all over ourselves way too much. (It was) really, really frustrating.”

The loss leaves the Huskies with a 2-2 record, and searching for answers heading into a bye week. The good news, Washington has some extra practice days before facing USC in Los Angeles on Oct. 8. The bad news, the schedule hardly improves in the coming weeks with ensuing games against Oregon, Stanford, Arizona, Utah and Arizona State, all teams that might well be favored against the Huskies.

“It’s not going to get any easier and we know that,” Petersen said. “Everybody’s good in this league. … These guys will come back. It’s way too early in the season (to lose hope).

“But it’s going to be hard. Look at the teams we play. These kids know that, and that’s why last week I talked about the same thing. It’s still about us. We have to tackle better, we have to pass better and we’ve got to not fumble the ball. It’s (about doing) those things we can control.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

Slivertips’ Clarke Schaefer tries to maneuver around Medicine Hat’s Josh Van Mulligen during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips Week in Review: Everett splits slate in high-scoring week

The Silvertips were outscored 24-18 in four games this week, losing two to the next-best WHL teams

Everett Silvertips’ Landon DuPont during the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips’ DuPont becomes first rookie D to score 50 points in 35 years

The 15-year-old star defenseman joined Scott Niedermayer in exclusive company with an assist Sunday.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto believes players like Jorge Polanco (7) will enjoy bounceback seasons in 2025. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Despite quiet Mariners offseason, Jerry Dipoto confident

With the pre-spring training luncheon and news conference no longer an annual… Continue reading

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Jan. 26-Feb. 1

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Jan. 26-Feb. 1. Voting closes… Continue reading

Monroe’s Halle Keller drives to the hoop during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 3

Stanwood, Snohomish, Monroe girls dominate.

Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak adds to staff

New play-caller for Seattle’s offense brings in familiarity from Saints.

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.