Washington Huskies: 3 takeaways from 44-27 win over Arizona
In a late-afternoon contest played at Husky Stadium, the Washington Huskies manhandled Arizona for three quarters on the way to a 44-27 win.
Last week the Washington Huskies offense dominated Oregon State by running for 270 yards. This week UW featured both the run and pass. Arizona was ready for the Huskies ground and pound attack so quarterback Dylan Morris came out firing passes. Wide receiver Puka Nacua scored a touchdown on the Huskies first series with a nifty 65-yard catch and run. That scoring play was the beginning of an onslaught. The Huskies put up points on their first four possessions of the first half while holding their opponents scoreless.
By the end of quarter three, Washington held a commanding 37-0 lead. Arizona rallied back against the Huskies second string in the fourth quarter, but by then it was over. This was Arizona’s ninth loss. A streak that dates back to last year when Washington beat the Wildcats on October 12, 51-27.
We count down our three biggest takeaways from the blowout win.
3 Special teams improvement
The Huskies punting game was horrible against Oregon State from the get-go. This week Washington did much better. On the first series, Arizona had UW stopped, resulting in a fourth-and-one on the Huskies 30-yard line. However, Washington executed a successful fake on a direct snap to linebacker Jackson Sirmon who barrelled ahead for four yards and a first down. Three plays later Nacua took the ball to the house.
Race Porter only punted three times. The results were 126 yards and ZERO return yards. The kickoff coverage was good as well, holding Arizona to 71 yards on six returns.
Fake punt, first down. Jackson Sirmon takes it 4 yards.
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) November 22, 2020