No. 9 Washington dominates No. 6 Stanford in Pac-12 showdown
SEATTLE — Breaking down No. 9 Washington’s 44-6 win against No. 6 Stanford on Friday, the fourth matchup of top-10 teams in Husky Stadium history:
THE BIG PICTURE: In the offseason, no team in the FBS was a trendier breakout pick than Washington, and Huskies coach Chris Petersen knew it.
“It irritates the heck out of me, you know?” Petersen told USA TODAY Sports during spring drills. “It just always does. You know, we’re an average team. I mean, that’s really how I look at it.”
The Huskies appear to be well above average now. They are 5-0 for the first time since 1992 and have won their past eight games dating to last season. And on Friday they handed Stanford its worst loss since falling 42-0 to USC on Nov. 4, 2006.
Washington’s offensive line, flanked by two sophomore offensive tackles, provided sophomore quarterback Jake Browning an immense pocket and immense time to throw, and he delivered. Browning completed 15 of 21 passes, with three touchdowns, as Washington built an insurmountable lead. He accumulated a 202.6 passer rating. Washington scored on seven of its 10 possessions, and Stanford did not have a tackle for loss until 5:45 was left to play in the fourth quarter.
Armed with knowledge, Jake Browning is ideal QB for Washington
"I thought our offensive line was going to match up well against them," Browning said. "It wasn't anything flashy about it. Everyone did what they were supposed to do, and we executed."
Though we are early in conference play, considering the way Washington played Friday, the loss may have put a big dent in Stanford’s hopes of a fifth Pac-12 North Division championship in six years. Washington, meanwhile, can aim for another milestone win next week: The Huskies have not beaten their Oct. 8 opponent, Oregon, since 2003.
WHAT WE’LL BE TALKING ABOUT: Dozens of members of Washington’s 1991 national championship team have been here this week celebrating the 25th anniversary of the school’s last national title. That team featured some of the best defensive players in Pac-10/Pac-12 history, such as Steve Emtman, Dave Hoffman and Mario Bailey, and ranked No. 2 in total defense and scoring defense.
There couldn’t have been a happier bunch in the stands. They were among the 72,027 who watched Washington sack Stanford six times in the Cardinal’s 29 first-half snaps, limit the Cardinal to 2.8 yards per play and hold them to 1-for-6 on third down.
"They probably were thinking, this is exactly how it was when I left!" Huskies coach Chris Petersen said with a laugh afterward.
Washington defense eats up Stanford offensive line
Washington finished with eight sacks, tying the for the fourth-biggest single-season total in program history. But among many notable statistical achievements, this might be the the most noteworthy in a national context: Washington held Stanford star Christian McCaffrey to 49 rushing yards and 79 total on 17 touches. It was his lowest total on that many attempts in his career.
Though Washington (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) had not been tested entering the game — its strength of schedule ranked 104th out of 128 teams — its defense has been stingy. Washington is tied for 12th in the FBS in yards per play allowed and 15th in points per game allowed. The Huskies are getting all-conference-level play from multiple players on its defensive line, linebacking corps and secondary. If defense wins championships, this team might get fitted for some kind of ring after the season.
KEY PLAYS: Stanford (3-1, 2-1) twice went for it on fourth-and-2 in Washington territory, once in the second quarter and once in the third. The results were similarly grim for the Cardinal.
The first time, defensive end Joe Mathis ran right past a statuesque Stanford left tackle A.T. Hall and took down quarterback Keller Chryst for a 3-yard loss before Chryst could pitch to an open McCaffrey. Hall didn’t touch Mathis until Mathis and Chryst were in a heap on the turf.
The second time Stanford was at the Washington 8, where linebacker Psalm Wooching sacked and forced a fumble by quarterback Ryan Burns that was recovered by Huskies linebacker Keishawn Bierria. It was Wooching’s third sack of the game, Bierria’s recovery was his fourth of the season, one of the Washington record with seven regular-season games to play.
KEY STAT: The winner of this game always was going to get an early leg up in the Pac-12 North Division race. It also provided a sort of bragging rights for the all-time series.
Washington now leads the all-time series vs. Stanford 42-41-4. And with Friday’s result, it also holds a 6-5 advantage in games when they’ve met as ranked opponents.
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