The Washington Huskies ruin the Utah Utes College Gameday and remain undefeated, 31-24, with the help of Dante Pettis’ 58-yard punt return.
After a seven play, 34 yard drive by the Huskies that ended in a punt to give the Utes the ball back, Washington defense forced a three and out on Utah to get the ball back with a little over three minutes to go. Utes punter Wishnowsky punted 55 yards to Pettis who returned it for 58 yards to give the Huskies the lead and finally the win after Utah tied it up at 24.
It was a good defensive match-up between both Pac-12 teams as the first score wasn’t made till a little over minute was left in the first quarter. QB Jake Browning came out to play using different receivers to get his team down the field. RB Myles Gaskin scored the first touchdown of the game 10 yards out.
Washington found the end zone again with a Browning touchdown pass to John Ross for 16 yards to jump to a 14-0 lead. Utah struggled terribly in the first half especially on offense and resorted to their run game for majority of the first half and the entire game. RB Joe Williams was their key player who progressed them downfield each time.
Before the start of the second quarter, Williams had already rushed for 43 yards off seven carries averaging six yards a carry. QB Troy Williams struggled only converting two of nine attempts for 12 yards at the start of the second quarter.
A break came for the Utes as Chase Hansen intercepted Browning and returned it for 30 yards. Joe Williams pushed through and put his team on the board to cut the deficit by seven with a two yard rushing touchdown. The Utes’ defense got to Washington again to get the ball back, but was only able to get a field goal before the first half ended.
At the half, Washington had 218 total yards with 128 yards passing and 90 rushing. The Utes had 171 yards total with 25 passing yards and 146 rushing, majority of the rushing come from Williams with 110.
Including the score before the half, Utah scored 17 unanswered points to take the lead as Williams found Siaosi Wilson for six yards and the score. Huskies rushed down Utah’s throat for Browning to connect with Ross again for another touchdown to reclaim the lead at 21-17.
Utah managed to tie the game up at 24 with a Williams passing touchdown to Evan Moeai for 24 yards, but a punt return by Pettis sealed the deal and kept Washington undefeated in regular and conference play.
Browning finished with two touchdowns and 186 yards passing off 12 completions. Gaskin rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown to push his Huskies ahead. Williams remained the biggest go to player with 35 rushing attempts for 172 yards and one touchdown.
Huskies head coach Chris Petersen is only focused on what’s ahead and not the future rankings of the bowls and the national championship.
“We have about four or five games left and right now it’s just next week and getting ready to play California,” he said.
