Happy Monday Dawg fans, and welcome to today’s Dots.
The Huskies fell to #1 Ohio State on Saturday, ending the nation’s second-longest home win streak, and marking the first time since 2006 that UW failed to score a touchdown at home. Ohio State didn’t showcase much razzle dazzle, just a very efficient and effective offense, and a defense that similarly took away big plays from the Huskies and tackled very well. The Buckeyes played very sound football for the most part, and UW could not turn opportunities into the necessary points to achieve what would have been a historic win.
Scoring opportunities were squandered when solid drives ended with ineffective red zone play. And once the Buckeyes found their rhythm — steadily breaking off chunks of yardage — there was no way back for the Huskies.
The Dawgs needed to play mistake-free and have things go their way to have a chance at the upset. Indeed an early 4th & 1 stop by the Husky D and a forced turnover by special teams made it look like things just may break the Huskies way…
UW’s shambles of a fake field goal attempt was the turning point around which OSU began to assert it’s offense. From there, the Buckeyes scored points on each of their drives, while the Dawgs went: Halftime; FG; Downs; Punt.
I did a poll last week that asked how many points would UW need to score to beat OSU. Most people thought “at least 42”, the next one down was “at least 35”. Turns out we’d only need 25. But Jedd Fisch’s offense didn’t manage a touchdown, the first time that has happened at Husky Stadium since the Tyrone Willingham era.
- Christian Caple has “The Day After: Final thoughts from Washington’s 24-6 loss to No. 1 Ohio State“, with ”[Alex] McLaughlin led the team with 13 tackles, seven of which were “stops,” or tackles on unsuccessful offensive plays. PFF had UW with three missed tackles, which is pretty darn good against an offense filled with four- and five-star recruits.“
Also: ”If [Tacario] Davis doesn’t make it back for Maryland, the Huskies’ defense will take the field without its top cornerback, two of its top edge rushers (Durfee and Russell Davis II, who is out for the season) and its top linebacker (though Manu might hold that distinction once he’s back in a playing rhythm). And the offense could be missing its starting left tackle and No. 2 receiver. Not great, four games in, but that’s football.“
- Dawgman: “How did Pro Football Focus grade the Ohio State-Washington Game?” and also “Here is everything Jedd Fisch said after Washington’s 24-6 loss to No. 1 Ohio State“
- Andrew Sousa, UW Daily “Washington’s offense falters in 24-6 loss to No. 1 Ohio State“
- Andrew Destin, SeattleSports “Top-ranked Ohio St. pulls away to beat UW Huskies 24-6“
Can you audible OUT of a fake FG when the opponent is clearly ready for it? Hmm…
Ryan Grubb, ladies and gentlemen:
Go Dawgs!!