Is this a harbinger of things to come? Washington Football team eeks out a three point lead over Rutgers in a closer than expected game
If you expected a huge comfortable lead by halftime in favor of the Washington Football team, you had hopes set too high. But if you have concerns over this offense, you are spot on target. The Washington offense seems all kinds of rusty at the conclusion of the first half.
So far, Myles Gaskin has been a non-factor. In fact, the entire running game has been shut down. The team is at risk of rushing for less than 100 yards against a very suspicious Rutgers defense. Even quarterback Jake Browning looks hurried, uncomfortable, and off-timing so far. But he has found some success with wide receiver Dante Pettis and tight end Drew Sample.
Line of Rutgers
The rushing game is surprisingly a Rutgers strength so far. In fact, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are winning the line of scrimmage so far. Part of that is the fact that the Scarlet Knights align to neutralize the run, while the Huskies align to neutralize the pass.
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But the Washington Huskies have some bright spots. They have landed several punts inside the five yard line to pin Rutgers deep. That was a Pac-12 worst last year, but so far the Huskies punting game has been exciting.
And with the punting game tuned up, the punt receiving team accounted for the only Washington Huskies touchdown. A 61 yard punt return by Dante Pettis ended the Huskies scoring for the half.
Petersen counterpunches
A tough close half? Perhaps. But following the script I laid out weeks earlier.
Don’t fret just yet. The Washington football team will come out strong. But this game is exactly what the team needs. Plenty to learn from, plenty to build upon. Enough to give detractors reason to discount this team even further.
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Head coach Chris Petersen is one of the best counterpunchers in the NCAA. But that means the Huskies had to take a punch. They did, and survived.
And a lead so far. Let’s get to that second half.