Huskies Survive In Tucson 21-16

As frustrating and ugly as it was, the Washington Huskies somehow managed to escape Tucson, AZ with a 21-16 victory over the winless Arizona Wildcats.

Well, saying somehow is probably a stretch.

Heading into this game, Arizona’s 18-game losing streak made it feel as if no matter how bad the Huskies’ played, they’d be able to get the job done. So when the Wildcats were flagged for having too many men on the field after getting a pivotal stop on 3rd-down late in the game - it was fitting.

At this point in the season, there is a lot at stake for Washington. They not only are fighting for a bowl game berth but also likely have a group of coaches whose employment status hinges on what happens throughout the rest of this season. It’s not ideal, but it’s reality.

When traveling to the desert Washington has had a ton of nightmares that have resulted in dreams of playing in the college football playoff being crushed. But how bad could it get when playing against a team that currently resides near rock bottom?

That question was answered when Arizona blocked UW’s opening punt of the game and then eventually ground their way out to a 13-0 lead with 2:23 left in the half.

In the opening half, the Wildcats looked poised to snap their losing streak and were even able to bloody the nose of Dylan Morris who temporarily was replaced by Sam Huard for a drive. Huard came in and threw one pass after a UA defender jumped off-side and gave him free play.

Washington ran into the locker room with that 13-0 deficit riddled across each scoreboard in the stadium but in the second half, things changed.

Realizing that they were trailing and would probably have to win the game through the air, Morris began to finally let it fly and ended the night with 2 touchdowns on 13/21 passing for 217 yards.

The first of those scores came on an 8 play, 81-yard drive that ended with a pass to wide receiver Terrell Bynum who ripped the ball away from the ‘Zona defensive back. This trimmed the lead down to 13-7 but the Wildcats would respond with a field goal that pushed the score out to 16-7.

Despite being scoreless, the drive was filled with momentum after Tuli Letuligasenoa came down with an interception as Arizona was marching towards the end-zone.

From that point on, it was all Washington.

On the following UW drive which saw Morris hook up with Bynum for a 51-yard completion, Cam Davis took a carry and crossed the goal line from 9 yards out to make the score 16-14. Then, with 10:01 left on the clock, the Huskies got the ball back after forcing a punt.

What it took for UW to take their first lead of the night were 7 plays and 82 yards which came to an end after Morris found Rome Odunze wide open from 8-yards out to give the Huskies the 21-16 lead which finalized when Asa Turner plucked a hail mary attempt out the air and then took a knee to avoid disaster.

This win won’t help Husky nation sleep at night, but it did result in a breath of relief. Washington must play at a dramatically higher level if they want to turn this season around but after all the hardships that this season has brought and the saddening looks concern pointed towards Alex Cook (who has movement in his extremities), Washington got to end their night with the same smile that was painted across the face of Morris while he spoke to ESPN after the game.

Next, UW travels to Stanford on Oct, 30 at 7:30 PT on Fox Sports 1.