Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (2) reacts with Will Nixon, left, after scoring a touchdown against Oregon during a game Oct. 14 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (2) reacts with Will Nixon, left, after scoring a touchdown against Oregon during a game Oct. 14 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

No. 5 Washington hopes to avoid letdown against Arizona State

After a thrilling win over Oregon, the Huskies aren’t taking the struggling Sun Devils lightly.

By Tim Booth / Associated Press

SEATTLE — The thought of having a letdown after the hype and emotions of last week would seem a very real possibility for No. 5 Washington.

Except there is built-in motivation for Saturday’s matchup against Arizona State that should help dampen the chance of a disappointing effort from the Huskies.

It’s been more than a year since Washington last lost a game and its 13-game win streak is the second-longest active streak in the country. The Huskies’ last setback came at the hand of these same Sun Devils in a 45-38 loss at Arizona State last October.

While both teams are significantly changed from a year ago, the memory of that loss should make it easier for the Huskies (6-0, 3-0 Pac-12) to refocus after last week’s thrilling victory over No. 9 Oregon.

“If it was just a coaching staff that was trying to bring it together, it would be hard. But we have enough guys that are just completely invested and have had a voice and want it extremely bad,” Washington coach Kalen DeBoer said. “They are holding each other accountable.”

Washington captured the attention of the country last week with its 36-33 win over Oregon that came down to the final play. Given a prime stage, the Huskies laid claim to being the top program in the Pac-12 and watched quarterback Michael Penix Jr. jump clearly into the lead in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Arizona State (1-5, 0-3) was watching, too, thanks to having the weekend off.

“I would say this is one of the rare teams that has a difficult scheme with good players and a great quarterback, and not often do you have to play all three,” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said.

It’s been a rough first season with the Sun Devils for Dillingham, punctuated by a pair of three-point losses in conference play right before the off week. Arizona State lost by three at California before returning home and nearly spoiling things for Colorado before falling 27-24 to the Buffaloes.

The Sun Devils are heavy underdogs again this week, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and will need some breaks like they got last year when Penix had a pass deflect off the helmet of one of his linemen and it was taken back for a pick-six by ASU.

“I challenged our guys that we have to have explosive plays, not just on offense but we have to have those explosive plays on defense and on special teams to put us in position to win the football game,” Dillingham said.

Washington wideouts

Washington is blessed with one of the deepest groups of wide receivers in the country and that was on display again last week. Jalen McMillan aggravated a leg injury in the first quarter against Oregon, which moved Giles Jackson into a bigger role in his first game of the season. Jackson responded with six catches for 58 yards. He made a 26-yard touchdown catch for his first reception of the year.

McMillan, Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk grab the headlines among Washington’s pass catchers but there is far more depth to the position group.

On the slide

Arizona State has lost five straight after opening the season with a win over FCS program Southern Utah and has not beaten an FBS opponent since a win over Colorado on Oct. 29, 2022. A loss to Washington would match the longest losing streak in Arizona State’s history — the Sun Devils have never lost more than six straight. The last time that happened was the final six games of the 2009 season.

Revive the past

The last time Washington reached No. 5 in the rankings was in 2017. The Huskies were there for all of one week before losing 13-7 at Arizona State. The Sun Devils have been a thorn in the Huskies’ side for the better part of the past 20 years. Since 2002, the Huskies are just 2-13 against Arizona State. Both of those wins have come in Seattle, in 2016 and 2018. The Sun Devils got the better of the Huskies in their last visit to Husky Stadium, coming away with a 35-30 win in 2021.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (left) and head coach Mike Macdonald (right) spoke to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
New Seahawks OC excited to coach Geno Smith

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has “a lot of respect” for Seahawks QB.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs with after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Tyler Lockett’s future with Seahawks remains unclear

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald noncommittal 1 month before a possible decision point.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
O’Neil: The Seahawks will keep Geno Smith

The reasons for the Seahawks quarterback sticking around are simple and obvious.

The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

Warriors win battle of division champs.

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Perfect week no help to Gonzaga

An unbeaten week against a pair of middle- to lower-tier West Coast… Continue reading

LeBron James (23) and Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on as John Collins (20) of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Lakers’ LeBron James and Luka Doncic hit the ground running

LeBron James and Luka Doncic represent different generations and… Continue reading

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

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.