Final: UW Huskies 52, Arkansas State 3
1:15 p.m. | Husky Stadium | Seattle
TV: Pac-12 Network | Radio: SportsRadio 950 KJR
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After two frustrating losses, the dam finally breaks in Washington’s 52-3 win over Arkansas State
After eight quarters of three-and-outs, eight quarters of incompletions, eight quarters of creatively bankrupt one-yard runs between the tackles, eight quarters of criticism, eight quarters of questions, eight quarters of ill-timed penalties and ineffective adjustments, eight quarters of porous pass protection, eight quarters of befuddling personnel decisions, eight quarters of strenuous requests for sweeping staff changes …
The dam finally broke inside a half-empty Husky Stadium.
And when the dam broke, mercifully, some points poured through — 28 of them in the first two quarters and 53 overall. An offense that managed just 17 total points in season-opening losses to Montana and Michigan sprang to life on Saturday, amassing 582 total yards in a 52-3 win over Arkansas State.
Three impressions from UW’s blowout win over Arkansas State
The Huskies got their first win of the season Saturday afternoon, a 52-3 blowout win over Arkansas State. Here are three instant impressions from Washington’s win.
Final: Huskies 52, Arkansas State 3
Final: Washington 52, Arkansas State 3. Finally, a game to savor for Huskies.
— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) September 18, 2021
FINAL
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
Huskies 5️⃣2️⃣
Arkansas State 3️⃣https://t.co/8gCwJH0ytl
UW defense returns fumble for a TD
Scoop and score‼️
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
🏈 Fumble recovered by Bralen Trice and returned 72 for a TD
4Q | Huskies 52, Arkansas State 3https://t.co/8gCwJH0ytl
Behind Huard, UW extends lead with FG
Behind Huard, UW extends its lead with a FG.
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
🏈 Peyton Henry from 38 yards
📍 10 plays, 72 yards
⏰ 4:35
4Q | Huskies 45, Arkansas State 3https://t.co/8gCwJH0ytl
I see freshman WR Jabez Tinae is getting his first work as well. Earned a DPI flag there.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Sam Huard's first completion is a 23-yarder up the seam to Giles Jackson. Good for the kid.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
QB Sam Huard makes UW debut
Sam Huard makes his UW debut, gets a large cheer from the crowd.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Terrell Bynum brings down another UW TD
Terrell Bynum for 6️⃣ more!
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
🏈 Morris ➡️ Bynum for 42 yards
📍 2 plays, 54 yards
⏰ 0:45
4Q | Huskies 42, Arkansas State 3https://t.co/8gCwJH0ytl
Third-quarter observations
Arkansas State recorded 901 passing yards and nine passing touchdowns in its first two games.
The Red Wolves managed just 166 passing yards, on 44.1% completions, while failing to find the end zone in the first three quarters on Saturday.
That’s a credit to UW cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon, though it’s worth noting that McDuffie left the game with what appeared to be an ankle injury. After momentarily disappearing up the tunnel, McDuffie returned with his helmet on and a significant limp, but has not rejoined the game. Mishael Powell has replaced him at cornerback, with Giles Jackson returning punts.
This season, it appears, even successful Saturdays come with asterisks.
End of third: UW 35, Arkansas State 3
END OF THIRD
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
Huskies 3️⃣5️⃣
Arkansas State 3️⃣https://t.co/8gCwJH0ytl
Trent McDuffie left the game earlier with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He has his helmet on but is walking with a significant limp. Replaced by Mishael Powell.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Brendan Radley-Hiles just produced UW's second sack of the season (!) on a blitz.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Last time the Huskies were up big (37-0 late in the third quarter over Arizona last November) they were outscored 27-7 in the fourth quarter. Let’s see if they can finish out this rout more smoothly.
— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) September 18, 2021
UW's shutout is over
The shutout is over.
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
🏈 Blake Grupe from 26 yards
📍 5 plays, 20 yards
⏰ 0:43
3Q | Huskies 35, Arkansas State 3https://t.co/8gCwJH0ytl
Turnover for turnover
Kyler Gordon and Carson Bruener forced that fumble, and Bookie Radley-Hiles recovered. That's UW's first forced turnover of the season.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
(Then Dylan Morris immediately gave it back with a tip pick.)
The paid attendance for today's game is 58,772. I wonder if half that many showed up.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
McGrew adds second touchdown of the day
✌️for McGrew pic.twitter.com/GcpX7Q2IUz
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
Race Porter casually dropped that punt on the 1-yard line, then went straight to the sideline to hug Jimmy Lake.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
On first-and-10 at the Arkansas State 39, Dylan Morris hit the hands of a wide-open Devin Culp, who flat-out dropped an easy touchdown.
This should a 42-0 football game right now, easy.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
The biggest thing for Devin Culp is, and has always been, catching the football. Too many focus drops.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Arkansas State opens second half with short drive, punt
Behind QB James Blackman, Arkansas State gained 12 just 12 yards on six plays and punted the ball to the Huskies on its first possession in the second half.
Dylan Morris and UW starts at the 27.
Halftime: UW 28, Arkansas State 0
Dylan Morris: 16/26, 276 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
Jalen McMillan: 7 catches, 152 yards, 1 TD
Richard Newton: 8 rushes, 41 yards, 1 TD
Arkansas State offense: 123 total yards, 1-8 on third down
Halftime observations
Jalen McMillan entered Saturday’s game with one career catch.
He has seven catches for 152 yards and a touchdown at halftime.
Which, of course, is excellent news for a Washington offense that struggled to produce explosive plays in embarrassing losses against Montana and Michigan. Quarterback Dylan Morris was also mostly on point in the first half, completing 16 of 26 passes for 276 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. And the UW defense did what it usually does to high-tempo spread offenses, shutting out Arkansas State while surrendering just 80 passing yards.
The bad news? UW also produced an interception and two fumbles in a sloppy second quarter, as rain began to fall inside Husky Stadium.
It’s 28-0 … and, for Arkansas State, it should be even worse.
Sloppy second quarter for UW despite lead
What a sloppy second quarter for Washington. An interception and two fumbles ... and UW still leads 28-0.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Great job by Alex Cook to run down James Blackman and prevent the first down.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
True freshman DT Voi Tunuufi narrowly missed his first career sack.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Cam Williams dropped what would have been UW's first interception (and forced turnover) of the season.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Cam Davis fumbles ball back to Arkansas State
And just like that, UW running back Cameron Davis fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Arkansas State's Elery Alexander at the 25.
UW gets ball right back after INT
No worries on the interception. UW again forced a three-and-out — and blocked the punt for good measure. The Huskies will start their next drive on the Arkansas State 28.
Beautiful play by Cameron Williams to break that up and force another three-and-out.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Morris throws INT for first mistake
Dylan Morris made his first mistake of Saturday's game, forcing a pass to Cade Otton down the seam and throwing an interception that Leon Jones returned to the Arkansas State 22.
Hey, look, it's Kamari Pleasant.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
If you're looking for a rare offensive bright spot through three games, it's that Taj Davis is really turning into a player. Didn't see that coming a year ago.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Arkansas State punts back to UW again
It wasn't a three-and-out this time, but the UW defense again did its job, preventing Arkansas State from getting anything started offensively.
The Red Wolves punted back to the Huskies after gaining just 17 yards on six plays.
Big hit for Julius Irvin on the kickoff. Lots of anger being released.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
UW's Jalen McMillan nabs first college touchdown
That's Jalen McMillan's first college TD. Likely not the last.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
With 10 minutes left in the first half, Jalen McMillan has seven catches for 152 yards and a touchdown. He had one career catch entering the game.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
McMillan adds a whole new dimension to Huskies’ offense. This is exactly the breakout they desperately needed— regardless of the opponent.
— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) September 18, 2021
First of many 🎯 pic.twitter.com/WsU3sJu2yr
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
Morris hitting on big plays vs. Arkansas State
UW quarterback Dylan Morris now has three 30-yard passes, including two for 39 yards.
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
Appears to be raining harder now. Wonder how that might affect play-calling.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
UW forces second consecutive three-and-out of Arkansas State
Following their third straight touchdown drive, the Huskies have forced a second consecutive three-and-out as Arkansas State again can't get anything started on offense.
UW will start its next possession at its own 7-yard line.
Jimmy Lake really loves to defend these kind of offenses.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
UW rolling now with third straight TD drive
It's a wildcat touchdown, just like you all wanted.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
TOUCHDOWN❕@iRiichh finds purple paydirt❕
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) September 18, 2021
📺 @Pac12Network
💻 https://t.co/BqCm5ywPpn#BowDown x #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/L0PPLr8z2I
First-quarter observations
That’s more like it.
After two offensively incompetent performances in losses against Montana and Michigan, UW’s offense finally came to life in the first quarter against Arkansas State – piling up back-to-back touchdown drives fueled by quarterback Dylan Morris, returning wide receiver Jalen McMillan, tight end Cade Otton and running back Sean McGrew (who, apparently, is good enough to play).
On the other side, Arkansas State was shut out in a quarter for the first time this season – though a blown field goal by Red Wolves kicker Blake Grupe helped in that regard.
But offensively, especially, one quarter won’t be enough to change public opinion. Offensive coordinator John Donovan’s group must continue to produce.
End of first: Huskies 14, Arkansas State 0
After 1Q, UW leads Arkansas State 14-0. That's the first quarter Arkansas State has been held scoreless this season.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
END OF FIRST
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
Huskies 1️⃣4️⃣
Arkansas State 0️⃣https://t.co/8gCwJH0ytl
Dylan Morris is -- by a long stretch -- UW's most mobile QB. Which, behind an offensive line that has had some issues, is important.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
UW defense forces Red Wolves into three-and-out
UW scores two consecutive touchdowns, then forces a three-and-out. This appears to be momentum.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
McGrew makes early impact with TD rush
Look at that jump cut by Sean McGrew, who *it certainly appears* is good enough to play. The 13-yard TD run gives UW a 14-0 lead.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Maybe Huskies shouldn’t have waited til the third game to use McGrew
— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) September 18, 2021
McGrew to the end zone‼️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/oMRIBPfuyS
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
McMillan coming up big for UW early
Fresh off an explosive play during UW's touchdown drive, Jalen McMillan is coming up big for quarterback Dylan Morris again.
McMillan has two catches for 35 yards, including a 30-yard catch, on the ensuing drive. UW is in Arkansas State territory and threatening again.
Jalen McMillan being available appears important, huh?
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Arkansas State responds with quick drive, but misses FG
Arkansas State drove 59 yards in seven plays, including a few big passes, in 2:11, but was held to a field-goal attempt at the UW 16 — and kicker Blake Grupe missed the 33-yarder.
Arkansas State's Blake Grupe blows a 33-yard field goal and UW lucks into a potentially important stop.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Sav'ell Smalls was very close to his first career sack there.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Morris hits Cade Otton for a UW touchdown
UW quarterback Dylan Morris completed a 13-yard pass to Cade Otton for a touchdown on the Huskies' second possession of the game.
Hey guys, they sounded some kind of siren inside the stadium. Is that new?
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Dylan Morris was 4-6 for 74 yards and a TD on that drive.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
TOUCHDOWN, Huskies!
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) September 18, 2021
🏈 Dylan Morris ➡ Cade Otton for 13 yards
📍 10 plays, 88 yards
⏰ 4:13
1Q | Huskies 7, Arkansas State 0https://t.co/8gCwJH0ytl
Sean McGrew's first carry of the season is greeted by a huge cheer.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Dylan Morris throws dime to Jalen McMillan for 39 yards
Dylan Morris. Dylan Moore is on the Mariners, and has a plus arm as well. https://t.co/xoFUowMxYx
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
UW defense forces Red Wolves into punt
Arkansas State receiver Corey Rucker dropped a potential first down as UW's defense followed the offense's three-and-out by forcing the Red Wolves into a punt.
I believe Sean McGrew was on the field for the first time this season on that punt return.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Aaaaand UW goes three-and-out
Aaaaand UW goes three-and-out, punctuated by a Terrell Byum drop on third down. The boo birds are already out.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
UW wide receivers Terrell Bynum, Jalen McMillan and Taj Davis are indeed the starters.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
UW getting ball first as Arkansas State defers
Arkansas State wins the toss, defers.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
The crowd is … yeah, it’s what you’d expect. pic.twitter.com/30ABUmvckQ
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
More thoughts on Ulofoshio ...
Would guess Ulofoshio is a little nicked up but still technically available. Can't imagine he'd be benched a week after leading UW with 13 tackles (unless, of course, the Huskies have decided to tank for a high draft pick).
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Bynum, McMillan starting at WR
UW's starting wide receivers are introduced as Taj Davis, Terrell Bynum and Jalen McMillan. Neither Bynum or McMillan started last week.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Eddy Ulofoshio, Tuli Letuligasenoa not starting after warmups
Oh, and the starting inside linebackers are introduced as Jackson Sirmon and Daniel Heimuli, not Eddy Ulofoshio. Ulofoshio appears to be available in warmups. Doubly curious.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
Bynum, McMillan going through warmups again
Bynum was obviously a factor against Michigan, while McMillan looked more like a decoy. UW WR coach Junior Adams admitted this week that McMillan's role was limited in that game. We'll see if he's more involved today.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
QB Sam Huard taking second-team warmup snaps again
Same as in UW's first two games, Sam Huard is taking warm up snaps from second-string center Corey Luciano, which suggests Huard is the backup rather than Patrick O'Brien.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 18, 2021
UW Huskies hoping Arkansas State’s aerial assault (finally) yields sacks and interceptions
Through two games, Washington ranks first in the country in passing defense (74.5 yards per game), third in opponent yards per pass attempt (3.9), sixth in opponent pass efficiency rating (82.94), seventh in opponent completion percentage (50%) and seventh in opponent pass attempts per game (19).
Arkansas State, meanwhile, ranks first in the country in pass attempts per game (52), second in passing offense (450.5 yards per game) and fourth in passing touchdowns (9).
Inside Husky Stadium on Saturday, something’s got to give.
“They like to throw the ball,” UW cornerback Kyler Gordon said on Wednesday with a growing grin. “We’re ready for that. We’ve been waiting for that. It’s going to be a fun game.”
The DAWG arrival. #BowDown x #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/qxxLQtm0ns
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) September 18, 2021
What to watch for when Washington hosts Arkansas State, plus Mike Vorel’s prediction
After falling to 0-2 for the first time since 2008, here's what to watch for in Washington's bounce-back attempt against Arkansas State.
Starting fast
In its last four first halves, going back to the 2020 season, Washington has scored a total of 10 combined points. That statistic is almost unimaginable. Last weekend, while playing in front of more than 100,000 fans, UW wide receiver Terrell Bynum said the Huskies (somehow) came out flat. Their first offensive play of the game resulted in a delay of game penalty, which head coach Jimmy Lake called “unacceptable.” But the product on offense has not been acceptable for a very long time, particularly early.
Analysis: Why the Husky offense’s first-half struggles against Michigan were far from a fluke
UW’s first offensive play against Michigan was a delay-of-game penalty.
It was also a metaphor.
Granted, the Huskies had not played a road game in 658 days — the longest FBS drought since at least 1980, according to a UW spokesperson — which makes it unsurprising that 108,345 Michigan fans affected their offensive execution. But two days later, Husky head coach Jimmy Lake called the game-opening gaffe “unacceptable.”
“That starts with us as coaches,” he said. “It starts with me. I’ll take that one. One of our keys to the game was to operate on the road, and we did not do that, and that’s on me.”
But, regardless of who claims blame, the blunders were just beginning. In the first half of an eventual 31-10 loss, UW’s offense managed zero points and 126 total yards, while rushing for 15 yards and 0.8 yards per carry. They punted five times and went 2-9 on third down.
On national television, in front of recruits and parents and pom-pom-pumping fans, the Huskies lacked energy and execution and offensive innovation. They turtled … and that’s a trend.
RB Richard Newton intent on ‘making something out of nothing.’ But should he have to?
The answer said it all.
When asked on Tuesday how he can personally improve, UW running back Richard Newton — who has mustered just 86 rushing yards and three yards per carry in the Huskies’ 0-2 start — considered the question, then said: “Making something out of nothing. I think I could do that a lot better.”
In the last two losses, the 6-foot, 215-pound Newton has had to do that a lot. There has been precious little running room for Newton and redshirt freshman Cameron Davis, as UW ranks 127th out of 130 teams nationally in rushing offense (57.5 yards per game) and 128th in yards per carry (1.95) — while surrendering seven sacks of Dylan Morris as well.
Of course, Newton stopped short of directly implicating his underperforming offensive line.
But for a group that returns all five starters — four of which earned All-Pac-12 honors last fall — results have fallen astronomically short of expectations.
Your son or your school? UW linebacker Cooper McDonald’s dad knows who to root for Saturday
Mike McDonald checked his phone Wednesday morning and chuckled at the inquiry directed at him.
“The big question of the week,” read the message on the group text he shares with 50 or so friends, including many who played football at Arkansas State like he did. “Is Mike McDonald wearing an ASU shirt to the Washington game or an A-State jersey?”
“Gentlemen, I always root for the Red and Black,” wrote McDonald, who played four years (1990-93) at defensive tackle for Arkansas State. “But I will definitely be wearing No. 41’s jersey for sure.”
No. 41 is UW freshman outside linebacker Cooper McDonald, a first-year starter who has five tackles this season and has the Huskies’ only sack.
“I can’t think of too many people who would say that Washington-Arkansas State is a big game, but for me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime game,” Mike McDonald said. “I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to it and, I got to say, I’m already getting a little nervous.”
Aside from Mike and Cooper McDonald, you’d be hard-pressed to find any connection between Washington (0-2) and Arkansas State (1-1), which meet for the first time 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium.
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