6 takeaways from Washington Huskies 45-38 loss at Arizona State
Herb Nightengale
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The Washington Huskies dropped to 4-2 in 2022 after a disappointing 45-38 loss at Arizona. Here are our six big takeaways.
Since entering the 21st century, the Washington Huskies have had trouble winning at Arizona State. After Saturday’s 45-38 upset loss, UW is on a nine-game losing streak at Sun Devils Stadium.
Takeaway #1 – Beyond the Stat Sheet
Statistics don’t tell the whole story of yesterday’s game. The Washington Huskies led in many categories but still couldn’t win.
They won total plays (87-62), time of possession (32-28), first downs (32-23), total yards (458-397), passing yards (324-241), and fewest penalties (4-10). Each team had one turnover.
Going by those statistics, Washington should have won handily. Unfortunately, ASU won the most important stat – final score.
Takeaway #2 – Can’t Stop the Bell Cow
No matter how well the offense plays, the defense has to stop the other team. The Huskies Achillies heel last year is rearing its ugly head again. They gave up 111 yards rushing yards and a touchdown to Xazavian Valladay. ASU’s lead back also had 4 catches for 22 yards and another touchdown.
This was the third straight week Washington yielded over a hundred yards to the opponent’s starting running back. This has to change.
The Sun Devils lost their starting quarterback Emory Jones in the second quarter. Backup quarterback Trenton Bourguet gave them a good spark and threw for three touchdowns. This loss shouldn’t have happened.
Takeaway #3 – DB U Needs Help?
What was a Washington Huskies’ strength in recent seasons is a disappointment in 2022. UW definitely misses Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon, who both left early for the NFL.
Their depth is certainly lacking. UC-Davis transfer Jordan Perryman returned last week after missing three games, so once he gets back to 100%, it should help the pass coverage.
The other thing that can help UW’s secondary is a steady pass rush. Washington’s edge rushers and linebackers had eight sacks two weeks ago against Stanford, while last week against UCLA, they had only one. Saturday, the Washington Huskies had no sacks giving Arizona State’s QBs time to find open receivers.
Takeaway #4 – Cam Day
With Wayne Tualapapa getting the lion’s share of UW’s rushing attempts this season, there hasn’t been much work left for the other running backs. Cam Davis got a shot in Tempe and made the most of it.
The redshirt sophomore carried 9 times for 77 yards (8.6 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns. Maybe he needs more opportunities.
Cam Davis back to back TD @itscaaam_
? PAC 12
? https://t.co/g8Q9YmxuE1 [https://t.co/NbyYpxC6dM]#NoLimits #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/7FfOw9nYIl— Washington Football (@UW_Football) October 8, 2022
Takeaway #5 – One Streak Lives, One Dies
It wasn’t Michael Penix Jr.’s best performance of the season, but he extended his streak of 300 or more passing yards per game to six. On the other hand, Penix failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season.
Takeaway #6 – It’s Better in Seattle
Home field advantage is a thing. Since 2019, Washington is 6-7 away from Husky Stadium. There isn’t a big difference between the Washington Huskies’ offense on the road versus at home. However, However, the defense is another story.
Washington’s defense allowed 19 points per game in their four games at Husky Stadium, while they gave up 35 in the two road games. Take the Portland State game out of the equation, and UW gave up 70 points in the other three games at home while giving up 70 in two games on the road.
The Huskies have six games remaining on the season, three at home and three on the road. If they go 3-3, they will end the 2022 season at 7-5. To do any better, Washington’s defense needs to step up their game away from home.
Next week the Washington Huskies try to break their two-game losing streak against Arizona.