It was a fantastic weekend despite the loss. We hosted a number of Dawgfans at our home starting on Wednesday and at my brother in law Matt's cabin in Michigan on Friday and Saturday. Plus we had an awesome tailgate event on Saturday attended by around twenty Husky fans
Thanks to Kim Grinolds, Chris Fetters, Matt Lockner, Dave McCorkle, Kent Gingrich, Dick Fain and his brother, Adam and Bob Rogers, Craig and Liz Suhrbier, Dave Handy, Andy Pohlman, and everyone else who showed up at the tailgate party. We had a good crew of Husky fans out there.
The week started off with a deep dish pizza tasting at out house on Wednesday. Lou Malnati's was declared the winner over Giordano's and Gino's East.. On Thursday we neaded into the city and walked around Wrigley Field. We had lunch at Lucky's which was featured on "Man vs Food" earlier this year. They have have Pittsburgh style deli sandwiches with actual fresh cut french fries and cole slaw included on the sandwich. That night we met former Husky wide receiver Terry Tharps for dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar for some great prime steaks.
Friday we headed over to the Michiana area. We popped into the Stray Dog in New Buffalo for lunch and then went wine, beer, grappa, and vodka tasting over at the Round Barn Winery in Baroda, Michigan. The beer and hard spirtis were excellent!
That night we had Italian beef with giardinara over at the cabin as we proceeded to put our game faces on. I got up at 7:00 am on game day and fried a turkey and warmed up a spiral cut ham for the game. We arrived just around noon. We didn't exactly park as where planned because of the way traffic is routed the way we approached the stadium. We did find a great area to tailgate east of the baseball field.
Many thanks to all the Notre Dame fans we met during the day. All of them were great before and after the game. It is such a relief to party with a group of people who are accomodating and know how to behave. Such a difference from going to a place like Oregon.
As for the game we all thought the officials jobbed us but we all agreed that we had all the chances we needed in this game to overcome it. It was hard to believe we couldn't punch it in from the one with guys like Jake Locker, Chris Polk, and Paul Homer in the backfield.
This loss is going leave a mark as Chris Farley used to say on SNL. "Tell the Truth Monday" is going to be more about healing than telling the truth. The team and the fan base need to shake this one off. We have too because the reality is next week we are back to conference play and we have to beat Arizona. This is another game we circled as a win and we need to take advantage of it at home to even the record at 3-3.
The Wildcats have had a week off to heal up after a big win in Corvallis. This is a very winnable game and if we harbor hopes of playing a bowl game we need to pull ourselves back together and come out with a win this game.
The oddsmakers have this as a pick-em type of game. I agree and this won't be an easy contest. Washington lost half of its starting secondary in this game. Justin Glenn is probably out till November or longer with a broken fibula. Nate Williams is very doubtful with a concussion. D'Andre Goodwin probably has one too. Washington will have to reach down in the depth to fill some holes going forward. Lots of bumps and bruises cpmong out of this one.
Overall I am very proud of the way the Huskies played this game. They didn't win, and they should have, but you have to admire the heart of the players and the coaches. We have a talented young team and we have talented young coaches. Over a short period of time games like these will be ending up in the victory column.
Around the Pac Ten
Stanford 24 UCLA 16
This was a lot closer than I thought it would be. Figure that Stanford was a little roughed up from last week and was facing a much tougher defense. Toby Gerhart ran for three touchdowns, quarterback Andrew Luck passed for 198 yards and Stanford snapped a five-game losing streak to UCLA with a 24-16 victory Saturday to keep its hold on first place in the Pac-10 and spoil the Bruins' conference opener.
Oregon State 28 Arizona State 17
This one surprised me a little Big win for the Beavers who exposed the tepid ASU offense.Jacquizz Rodgersran for two touchdowns.. Sean Canfield threw for two more scores and Oregon State beat Arizona State 28-17 on Saturday for its first road win over the Sun Devils in 40 years.
USC 30 California 3
It must really suck to be a Golden Bear. Only two weeks ago they were riding high and now they are exposed as simply a one domensional offensive team that can't play defense. Joe McKnight ran for 119 yards and two scores, Taylor Mays and the defense shut down Jahvid Best and No. 7 USC re-established itself as a national contender with a 30-3 victory over No. 24 California on Saturday night.
Oregon 52 WSU 6
Are the Ducks the best team in the Pac 10 conference? Judging by the last two weeks they just might be. Jeremiah Masoli tweaked his knee so Nate Costa came in and finished off the Cougs.
Pac 10 Power Ratings
1. USC...The Trojans seem to be winding into shape after a slower than normal start. Big road win at Cal.
2. Oregon...Are the Ducks the class of the Pac 10? I guess we find out then they play the Trojans.
3. Stanford...Closer than expected win over UCLA. A good defensive team will expose their one dimensional offense.
4. Oregon State...Big win on the road down in Tempe. The Beavers have a track record of getting better as the season progresses.
5. Washington...Close but no cigar against Notre Dame. The Huskies are 2-3 which isn't impressive. What is impressive is they could be 4-1 right now with a break while playing the nations toughest schedule.
6. Arizona...big game in Seattle next weekend. With a week off to prepare they could come out with the win.
7. UCLA...Only one loss so far this season but the Bruins are headed into the teeth of the schedule now.
8. Arizona State...Weren't impressive at all in a loss at home to OSU.
9. California...Two ugly losses in a row have exposed the Golden Bears.
10. Washington State...this would have been a good year for Idaho to schedule the Cougs.
Pac 10 Offensive Player of the Week
Toby Gerhart of Stanford who scored three TD's and picked up 134 yards on the ground against UCLA.
Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Week
The Trojans' defense stuffed Cal's running game, holding Best to 47 yards on 14 carries. We give the award to Taylor Mays who was dominating all day.
Washington Offensive Player of the Week
Chris Polk had a career high of 136 rushing yards on Saturday.
Washington Defensive Player of the Week
Donald Butler had a solid day and a key interception against Notre Dame on Saturday.