The Washington Husky defense has been porous in the first half, allowing Arizona to move at will and reel off big plays through the first 30 minutes. The Wildcats have racked up 358 yards of total offense and four touchdowns already, while giving Matt Scott ample time to pick them apart. Scott, getting the start for injured Nick Foles, is 14-16 for 186 yards and one touchdown.
After the Huskies closed the gap to 17-14, Arizona running back Keola Antolin took the handoff and rumbled 78 yards on the next play from scrimmage, taking away any momentum the Huskies had. With just over a minute left in the half, Nic Grigsby plunged into the end zone from 8 yards out to give Arizona a 30-14 lead after a blocked extra point.
Jake Locker, playing in obvious pain, was 11-19 for 119 yards and a score. The Wildcats have been able to get pressure on Locker, hitting the quarterback early and often. After a late second quarter sack, the Husky quarterback was clearly in pain, nursing his injured ribs.
Chris Polk also rushed seven times for 42 yards and a score, breaking tackles and making the first man miss many times. Cody Bruns paces the Husky receivers with one reception for 43 yards, coming late in the second quarter. The Huskies couldn’t capitalize on the long gain, however, giving Arizona the ball back to run out the clock before the half.
Down 30-14, Washington heads to the locker room to regroup and figure out a way to slow down the Arizona offense in the second half.