Washington's defense pitched the first shutout in the Apple Cup since 1968 as the Huskies stomped the Cougars 30-0 which stopped a two game losing streak in the series.
Despite the win and the goose egg this won't go down as a pretty one for the Huskies. The same type of problems that have plauged them most of the season on offense persisted throughout the game. Dropped balls, inaccurate throws, and some funky routes by the receivers helped keep Washington in check more than the Cougars did in the first half. Washington only led 13-0 at the half due to two first half drives ended in Erik Folk FG's.
Jake was 16 of 28 for 196 yards and one TD yesterday but the offense really never started moving till he jump started it with his feet. Locker rushed for 94 yards on 10 carries which helped ignite the Husky running game which picked up a total of 265 yards.
Chris Polk became the first Husky frosh to rush for over 1000 yards in a season. Chris picked up 130 yards and one TD on 25 carries. Demetrius Bronson had three for 33 but a late fumble wiped out another TD opportunity deep in Cougar territory as the game was winding down. Curtis Shaw even got in the act with a couple of late carries for ten yards.
The stars of the game from the Husky perspective were the defense which held the Cougars to only 163 total yards. The Cougars went through all three QB's on Saturday and all were knocked out of the game by viscous Husky hits from time to time. WSU QB's were a combined 14 for 32 for only 116 yards. The Husky defense sacked the Cougars five times and picked up two turnovers. The Cougs never got a running game going and were limited to only 47 yards on the ground. In 12 offensive possessions the Cougars never got inside the Huskies' 33-yard line.
"It's always a goal to take quarterbacks out of the game,'' said defensive tackle Cameron Elisara. "And we had two out today and we were putting hits on them. It felt great to be able to put a hit on someone. And it really hurts a team to put their leader out.''
The Huskies move to 4-7 overall and 3-5 in Pac-10 play. They finish the season next week against California at home in Husky Stadium.