A preview of Washington football’s Las Vegas Bowl matchup
Washington football takes on the Boise State Broncos in Chris Petersen’s final game as head coach
Washington football is hoping to end the season on a positive note. They came into the year hoping to defend their crown as Pac-12 champions, but it wasn’t meant to be, and they finished the season with a 7-5 record.
Junior tight end Hunter Bryant recently announced he is foregoing his senior year and entering the NFL Draft. Bryant will not be playing in the bowl game to preserve his health, after finishing second in the voting for the Mackey Award, which is given to the country’s best tight end.
The biggest question will be is this game going to be quarterback Jacob Eason’s last game in purple and gold? If the draft advisory board gives him a first-round grade, the answer is probably yes, but only time will tell.
Other players playing in their final game for the Huskies will be wide receivers Aaron Fuller, Andre Baccellia, Chico McClatcher, left tackle Trey Adams, center Nick Harris, right tackle Jared Hilbers, defensive back Myles Bryant, defensive linemen Benning Potoa’e and Josiah Bronson, linebackers Brandon Wellington and Kyler Manu, long snapper AJ Carty, and punter Joel Whitford. We thank you for your time at Washington.
The Boise State Broncos had an excellent season going 12-1. The Broncos’ only blemish on the year was a loss to the BYU Cougars, who the Huskies crushed early on in the season.
The Broncos are led by senior quarterback Jaylon Henderson who threw for 1,032 yards on the season, going 84/133 with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. Henderson started the season as the Broncos’ third-string quarterback, but injuries to starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier and backup Chase Cord thrust him into the starting role.
The Broncos rushing attack is led by freshman George Holani, who finished the year with 979 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named to the second-team All-Mountain West, and he was also named the conference’s best freshman. The receiving corps is led by senior John Hightower who has a team-high 923 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, while sophomore Khalil Shakir leads the team in receptions with 60, and is second on the team in yards (834) and touchdowns (6).
On the defensive side, junior Curtis Weaver is a three-time all-Mountain West first-teamer and leads the team in sacks with 13.5. He’ll probably line up across from whoever slides in for Trey Adams at left tackle, whether it be Henry Bainivalu or Henry Roberts.
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This is an exciting final matchup for Chris Petersen, and it should be a hard-fought game on both sides.