The Huskies got their third-straight win on Saturday with a 34-15 victory over the Utah Utes, and it may have been Washington's most complete performance against an FBS opponent this year. The defense has been solid for UW throughout the season, but the offense finally came to play against Utah.
Washington blog UW Dawg Pound was impressed with the play of quarterback Keith Price, who has struggled to meet expectations. He looked much closer to his 2011 form this week:
The biggest thing to take from the game was the play of Keith Price. He went back to playing what Steve Sarkisian has called "Keith Price football" and the offense around him looked as good as it's been against any FBS opponent. He (for the most part) hit his open guys, made good decisions and made some plays with his legs.
Price was accurate, completing 24 of 33 for 277 yards and two touchdowns. He posted his best passer rating since Portland State. Price set season highs in yardage and completion percentage, completed his longest pass of the year, and avoiding throwing an interception for the first time since that Portland State game.
Washington is now 6-4 with games against Colorado and Washington State left on the schedule. The win makes the team bowl eligible for the third-straight year under Steve Sarkisian and it appears the Huskies are in line to close the season strong.
Both Washington and Utah are on two-game win streaks. The Huskies are setup to extend their streak after increasing the lead over Utah to 12 points. Heading into the fourth quarter, Washington leads Utah, 27-15.
Extending Washington's scoring streak to three straight touchdowns was DiAndre Campbell. Campbell received a 9-yard pass from quarterback Keith Price for the TD. A successful point after kick by Travis Coons put the Huskies up by 12 over the Utes.
Utah's offense finally showed up again with six minutes left in the quarter. John White scored his second touchdown of the game on a 20-yard run. The Utes went for, and received, two points following their TD in the first quarter. This time Utah played it safe with a Coleman Petersen kick for one point.
Washington's leading rusher, Bishop Sankey, carried in a 2-yard touchdown with 1:56 to go. Attempting to duplicate Utah's two-point conversion success earlier, the Huskies went for two. The pass to Austin Seferian-Jenkins failed, leaving the Huskies up 27-15.
The Washington Huskies were held scoreless in the first quarter; finding themselves down to Utah, 8-0. To make up for the lack of offense in the first, Washington scored 14 unanswered points in the second. The Huskies now lead the Utes 14-8 going into the locker room for halftime.
In the first quarter, Utah scored its only points of the game on a 46-yard touchdown rush from John White. In a move rarely seen this early in the game, the Utes decided to go for two points. The gamble paid off with Jake Murphy completing the two-point conversion.
Washington finally got on the board at 11:28 in the second quarter. Kasen Williams caught an 8-yard pass from Huskies quarterback Keith Price for the touchdown. Coach Steve Sarkisian wasn't in the gambling mood and kicked the extra point. With 2:16 remaining in the half, Price scored Washington's second touchdown of the game on a 4-yard rush. Travis Coons hit the point after, taking the score to 14-8.
Utah did not respond to the two Huskies touchdowns and went into halftime down 14-8.
Utah quarterback Travis Wilson has completed 3-of-7 passes for 18 yards. Washington QB Keith Price is 5-for-9 for 32 yards. Based on the stats, one would assume the Huskies have had the better first quarter. That is an incorrect assumption. Despite having an abysmal completion percentage, Wilson and the Utes have an 8-0 lead over Washington after one quarter.
The only offense of the game thus far came on a running play. Wilson handed off the ball to running back John White, who rushed for 46 yards to score the touchdown. Utah caught the Huskies off guard by going for two and Jake Murphy secured the two points for the Utes. From that point on it's been a lot of punts.
Bishop Sankey has done the most work for the Huskies. He is currently the only rusher the team has used, carrying the ball eight times for 52 yards. Leading Washington in receiving is Kasen Williams with two receptions for 32 yards. On third down conversions, the team is 2-for-5, but have yet to turn those successes into points.
