The Husky Haul
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Washington Huskies humbled by Penn State in UW’s first trip to Happy Valley

By Ethan Lee

Nov 9, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr (2) is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Nov 9, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr (2) is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
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Jedd Fisch, Will Rogers, and the rest of the Washington Huskies didn’t really have an enjoyable trip all the way out east to Happy Valley. In fact, the Washington Husky football team had a dreadful visit to Beaver Stadium as they lost in an infuriating and emotionally taxing 35-6 loss to James Franklin’s Nittany Lions this weekend.

With this loss, Washington falls to 5-5 on the season, which means Fisch’s team need to get a win in one of the two following games to be able to make it to a bowl game at the end of the regular season:

  • Beat a team that has won 3-in-a-row and looks solid on the road
  • Beat an unbeaten juggernaut that is having fun bulldozing opponents this season

Washington certainly had very little fun when the Huskies traveled to take on the Nittany Lions and it’s more than clear that Washington is a radically different team in games away from Husky Stadium than they are at those home contests. 

I don’t really know why that is, but all five of UW’s losses this season have happened in a venue that is other than Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. The Greatest Setting in College Football has been generous to the Huskies to get to win in games like this.

Washington Huskies bulldozed by Penn State Nittany Lions in road trip to Happy Valley

Penn State managed to outgain the Huskies by a grand total of 486 yards to 193 total yards. Which, you know, makes sense given who Washignton was playing and where the Huskies had to play this game in. It certainly wasn’t a home field advantage in this one. 

The Nittany Lions managed to run for 266 yards (the Huskies very clearly couldn’t stop them) all while UW was held to just 74 rushing yards. Nothing really worked for Washington’s offense in this game. The Huskies converted just four of their 13 third down attempts. 

Oh, and Penn State scored four touchdowns on all four of its first half possessions. So, again, the Huskies really had no means of slowing the Nittany Lions down. There was just nothing but success for the Nittany Lions in the first half.

Penn State was able to build an insurmountable 28-0 point lead at the half and Washington’s offense simply couldn’t find anything that resembled offensive consistency. 

Now the Huskies are back home this weekend and will get the chance to host the UCLA Bruins on Friday. Washington definitely needs that win if the Huskies are going to go bowling this season. And given how quarterbacks that are young happen to benefit from the extra reps and practices that come with making it to a bowl.

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