SEATTLE — A week after John Ross stole the show with two long touchdown receptions and a kickoff return for a score against Rutgers, fellow wide receiver Dante Pettis had a standout game against Idaho.
Pettis, a junior, had six receptions for a team-best 88 yards in the University of Washington’s 59-14 victory over the Vandals, including touchdown catches of 21 and 7 yards. He has receptions in 24 consecutive games.
“Dante had a good game,” said UW offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith. In addition to a TD reception on Washington’s first play from scrimmage, “he had a couple of other tough catches,” Smith added. “The guy’s a good player. He is a nice complement (to Ross), but they have a similar skill set. … I also like where (slot receiver) Chico McClatcher is right now. That guy’s playing fast, and he’s a tough kid who’ll catch the ball. So we’re pleased with those three guys.”
“I’m encouraged by Dante, for sure,” agreed head coach Chris Petersen. “I think he’s kind of an acrobatic receiver. He’ll make plays all over the place. And he’s gaining confidence … so I think he’s a really good player.”
School scoring record
By beating Idaho 59-14, Washington scored 40 or more points for a fifth consecutive game, a school record. The streak began with the final two games of the 2015 regular season, as Washington defeated Oregon State 52-7 and Washington State 45-10, and then beat Southern Mississippi 44-31 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Huskies extended their string by beating Rutgers 48-13 in last week’s 2016 season opener.
Joyner sits out
Backup defensive back Austin Joyner, a 2015 Marysville Pilchuck High School graduate and a UW redshirt freshman, did not suit up for Saturday’s game due to an apparent concussion suffered in last week’s game against Rutgers. Joyner was on the sideline wearing his game jersey with shorts and sneakers.
Joyner played extensively in the second half against Rutgers, but was hurt on a play near the goal line and was tended on the field before being helped to the sideline. During the week it appeared he might be available against Idaho, but he was apparently held out as a precaution.
First playing time
Mason Stone, a sophomore safety from Mountlake Terrace via Santa Monica (Calif.) College, played in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game. He is a walk-on, as is freshman defensive back Myles Bryant, who also played vs. Idaho.
Other scholarship freshmen have yet to play this season and seem likely to redshirt. Among them, defensive backs and prized recruits Byron Murphy and Kentrell Love.
“We’ve been really debating with this secondary, who to play and who not to play,” Petersen said. “It’s a hard decision, it really is.” In Bryant’s case, “he’s a really good athlete, he helps on special teams, he’s smart and competitive, and he really wanted to play (this season).”
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