Here’s three takeaways from the University of Washington football team’s 44-18 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday at Husky Stadium:
1) Jake Browning is capable of recovering on the fly.
I’m not sure who that was wearing No. 3 in Purple during the first 16 minutes of the game, but it surely couldn’t have been Browning, right? Washington’s quarterback was a complete disaster during the Huskies’ first four offensive possessions. When Koron Crump picked off an errant pass off Dante Pettis’ hand on the first play of the second quarter, Browning’s numbers for the game were 4-for-12 for 32 yards and two interceptions. Browning’s passes were often nowhere near their targets. This was the same guy who came into the game with a school-record 35 touchdowns against just five interceptions, and was among the leading Heisman candidates?
But all it took was one short pass to put Browning right. On Washington’s next possession Browning threw a quick wide receiver screen to Chico McClatcher, and McClatcher found a seam in the defense and raced 75 yards to give the Huskies a 10-0 lead. It’s a pass that may not have even crossed the line of scrimmage, but it completely changed the game for Browning. The touchdown pass began a streak of 10 completion on 11 attempts, with the only incompletion being a drop. Browning finished the game 27-for-44 for 338 yards and two TDs along with his two interceptions.
Browning’s passer rating following the second interception was 172.8, which was in line with his seasonal numbers, and it shows Browning is capable of getting himself straightened out mid-game.
2) Washington’s pass rush seems to have made progress.
The Huskies have struggled getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks in recent weeks. Ever since leading edge rusher Joe Mathis went down with a season-ending foot injury, Washington’s pass rush has been largely toothless as the Huskies managed just four sacks total in their previous four games. The lack of pressure on USC’s Sam Darnold last week was a big reason why Washington was upset 26-13.
But the heat was back on Saturday. The Huskies sacked Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins six times. Washington matched its sack total from the previous four games by halftime. Part of the reason why the Huskies were able to apply more pressure was because they blitzed, with safety Budda Baker getting 1.5 of those sacks. But Washington was also able to apply pressure when just rushing four.
These accomplishments do need to be taken with a grain of salt. The Sun Devils came into the game ranked 121st out of 128 FBS schools in sacks allowed per game, and last week Arizona State allowed 11 sacks in a 49-26 loss to Utah. Regardless, any sign of progress for Washington is a positive one.
3) It all comes down to the Apple Cup.
It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to say this. Friday’s Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State is for all the marbles in the Pac-12 North. Whichever team wins the game will claim the division title and advance to the Pac-12 championship game on Dec. 2 in Santa Clara, Calif.
The last time the Apple Cup meant this much to both teams? Try 1981. In that game Washington State would have claimed the Pac-10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl with a victory, while Washington needed both a victory and help. Washington wound up winning 23-10, and when USC upset UCLA it meant the Huskies were smelling the roses. The only time the Apple Cup was a true winner-takes-all game for the Rose Bowl came in 1936, when Washington prevailed 40-0.
It’s not quite the same stakes now that there’s a conference championship game. But under the current conditions this is as big as the Apple Cup can get, especially with Washington still in the hunt for the College Football Playoffs. I’m sure Friday can’t get here fast enough for fans of both teams.
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