No.4 Washington Uses Punt Return Touchdown For 31-24 Win at Utah
SALT LAKE -- Needing just six yards to give Utah another chance, a simple high school reuinion all-but-ended the chances of Washington losing its first game in 2016.
Linebacker Keishawn Bierria met Utes quarterback Troy Williams hard at the Washington 35-yard line, forcing a fumble ultimately recovered by Williams. The Narbonne High School product and one-time UW starter Williams sent his 4th and 15 attempt through the back of the end zone with :43 seconds, killing the last hopes of overtime.
Washington ran out the remaining clock with three quarterback kneels as the Huskies remain unbeaten after just a second game against a ranked opponent this season. The No.4 Huskies now wait their fate in the first College Football Playoff rankings, released Tuesday, November 1.
It's a first for UW coach Chris Petersen, who has his Huskies just head-and-shoulders above their opponent. Saturday, it proved to be a 58-yard punt return for a touchdown by junior Dante Pettis - his fifth all-time and a UW record - to key their eight victory.
However, the final play on the prior drive could be viewed as the more Petersen-esq play. Quarterback Jake Browning executed a precise pooch-punt, pinning the Utes down at their own 1-yard line with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
Down deep in its own territory Utah was held to just two yards on three plays before the punt that Pettis returned for the game-winning touchdown. On the day it was long drives and, first just the second time all season, going blow for blow with an opponent for 60 minutes that set the tone throughout.
Washington scored first, a 10-yard carry for Myles Gaskin, as the Huskies improved their first quarter scoring ratio to 107-7. The Huskies' defense kept the Utes out of the end zone until senior running back Joe Williams cut the lead in half at 14-7 late in the second quarter.
Williams, who ran for over 300-yards against UCLA, managed roughly half against Washington racking up 172 yards and one touchdown on 35 carries. As time expired Utah was able to convert a 29-yard field goal to give the Huskies a 14-10 lead heading into halftime.
The second half proved indifferent with Utah scoring a touchdown on its first drive of the third quarter. Williams connected with Siaosi Wilson for the first lead against UW in the second half all season.
But Washington didn't trail for long. The Huskies scored on three of their final four possessions, including an acrobatic catch by John Ross to regain the lead late in the third.
Washington added a field goal through Cameron Van Winkle and the aforementioned Pettis punt return to seal the win on the road and keep the CFP hopes alive another week.
Final stats: No. 4 Washington (8-0, 5-0) 31 points
Jake Browning: 12 of 20, 186 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception
Myles Gaskin: 19 carries, 151 yards, 1 touchdown and 7.9 avg.
John Ross: 4 receptions, 48 yards and 2 touchdowns
Azeem Victor: 16 total tackles (10 solo), 1 tackle for loss