The Washington offense struggled for most of the game but the Husky defense rose to the occasion holding the Bruins to a single score and only 163 total yards on the evening. The Bruins picked up 92 of those yards on 13 plays in the first quarter on the way to scoring their first and only touchdown.
Jake Locker threw an interception in Husky territory on the next drive and it looked like the wheels were about to come off. The Husky defense stiffened and UCLA missed a FG and that was it for UCLA when it came to scoring opportunities in this game.
Cort Dennison made an interception at the Husky 39 to stop a Bruin drive in the second quarter. Locker engineered an eight play 61 yard drive that was highlighted by a three yard Locker TD run. The half ended in a 7-7 tie with the Huskies holding a 165-117 edge in total yards. Keep in mind that 92 came on that drive in the first quarter so the Husky D was basically dominating the Bruins.
Washington struggled to put the game away in the second half despite the dominance of the defense. The Husky offense was hamstrung by crucial penalties that kept wiping out big games. Cody Habben was the biggest culprit of the evening picking up three penalties.
The game was still in doubt in the fourth quarter when Washington blew the game open with two TD's. The first was on a 28 yard interception return by Quinton Richardson. The second was a two yard run by Chris Polk that was preceded by a 37 yard run by Jessie Callier.
UCLA used three QB's after Richard Brehaut was knocked out of the game with a concussion. They combined to complete only 6-25 passes and had three interceptions. The vaunted Bruin running attack was held to only 108 yards on the ground with most of that coming on their lone TD drive.
Chris Polk rushed for 141 yards on 27 carries. Jessie Callier added 105 on only nine carries. Jake was 10-21 passing for only 68 yards and an interception. He was obviously a little rusty in his last game at Husky Stadium but he comes out with a win and most importantly good health.
Game ball goes to CB Quinton Richardson who has his best game as a Husky. His interception return for TD broke open a close game that could have gone either way. Polk and Callier get them too after impressive running performances.
Next up for Washington will be the California Bears in Berkeley a week from Saturday.