ASU stops Washington QB Browning TD streak at 20

In a season where Washington Football quarterback Jake Browning throws touchdowns, he failed against Arizona State University. The school record will now stand at 20

Washington Football quaterback Jake Browning is not often mentioned in the Heisman Trophy talks. While he remained one of the most efficient passers in the Pac-12, he didn’t pile up the passing yards in blowout games. But he did throw touchdowns. In some ways, that was his forte’, just throwing touchdowns.

It was that proclivity to toss touchdowns to a diverse assembly of receiving targets which enabled Browning to extend his consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 20.

Arizona State University stopped streak

But the Arizona State University defense, a team which had not yet held an opponent to less than 30 games, had two weeks to prepare for the Washington Huskies. Without last year’s threat John Ross,and with the team’s loss of WR Chico McClatcher to injury, ASU focused on WR Dante Pettis and limited their blitz package.

And that derailed Jake Browning’s passing game. In fact, it outright halted the quarterback’s touchdown streak at 20 games.

But the Washington coaches had to see coming. It was something we had detected and argued often throughout the early part of the season.  Upon the injury to WR Chico McClatcher, it remains a paramount priority to the Washington Huskies to fast track a third option for Jake Browning in the pocket.   That is why tight end Hunter Bryant‘s performance in the California game was so important.

No help for Browning against ASU

In one game, the Sun Devils defense validated all the speculation against quarterback Jake Browning. On one hand, far too often Browning trusted his receivers to get separation. They didn’t.  On the other hand, Browning trusted his offensive linemen to protect him. They couldn’t.

Jake Browning did rush for a touchdown, the only score for the Huskies.

This is a bye week, and it’s well timed for Washington. Right now, the team must open the playbook to three tight end two back sets. Since the team will throw so many passes at WR Dante Pettis, give him some plays off, and emphasize the passing game through Hunter Bryant, Will Dissly, and Drew Sample.  Put Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman in there to start. Rotate Salvon Ahmed in. Give the defense something to think about besides Jake Browning to Dante Pettis for the score.

Next: Washington football’s new season begins with day game

It’s too late to salvage Jake Browning’s touchdown streak. But it’s not too late to get the express train to the NCAA playoffs back on track.  Now, the Washington Football team has no margin for error.

Beef it up Washington. Use the tight end depth you are currently blessed with. You can run and pass out of that formation. But most of all? You use that formation, and you beat ASU.