Close Loss Still a Loss
Washington did just about everything they could to win a road game only to lose by 1 point to the UCLA Bruins, 24-23. A missed field goal in the fourth quarter and an interception as they were driving for another ended any hope of getting that all elusive road victory.
Regardless, Washington is a much better team than they have been in many many years but it is just sad they couldn’t close the deal. They have improved in almost every phase of the game and even added a kickoff returner to the mix. They just needed to get 2 more points here and a break or two aganst Notre Dame and ASU and they could easily be 6-3 and bowl eligible right now. That steady improvement is what you can take away from a season that has all of a sudden turned south.
It is so easy to second guess with the ifa, woulda, coulda, shouldas but the reality is this is a much improved and harder working team than has been wearing the purple and gold for at least the last 7 years.
They are the same kids in the same confefrence with the same tough schedule that we suffered along with all last year. They are in better condition, are competing better, they are hitting better, and they are trying harder. Those are all good things and great indicators that Coach Steve Sakisian and his staff are indeed changing the culture of the program. These kids now know how to play a whole game and fight to the very end. That is progress.
If Jake Locker comes back to go with Chris Polk and all those receivers then the offense will continue to only improve in a system that isn’t even 1 year old yet. Defensively, they are undermanned to begin with and a few key injuries has only made it more difficult. Still they forced 7 turnovers getting 5, ran the ball effectively, stopped the run, and had they not missed a 38 yard field goal would probably have beaten a team that had better talent.
They got a great effort out of many of their few seniors and none more so than Don Butler, their captain and middle linebacker. He had 13 solo tackles, a forced fumble, and 2 tackles for loss. He has been solid all season and is determined to lead this program back to respectability. If they can keep playing this hard then that is a great tribute to Don and Daniel Teo Nesheim, who has been the lead by example guy up front.
Butler’s hit on the Bruin quarterback was my favorite play of the whole game. He lowered the boom on Kevin Prince because Prince was trying to advance the ball by diving froward. It was a good hard hit and I would have praised him for it. He had no intentions of hurting the kid and if hadn’t been their quarterback they would never have called it. Had it been the tailback, nobody would have throw a flag. That’s not right and that was a bad call.
It did however, make a statement about the change in Husky football. They are getting tougher and they are working harder and they believe they can play with anyone. That mental change in itself is the greatest thing to take out of the 3-6 season so far. These kids are thinking better. They expect to win and they have garnered the respect of everyone of their opponents and that what it’s all about, that and winning of course.
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