Huskies ready to take next step against UCLA

SEATTLE — Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian has spoken of this Huskies football team taking “the next step,” moving beyond the mediocre and into the Pac-12’s upper echelon.

That goal will not be achievable for the Huskies (6-3, 3-3 in Pac-12) without victory this week in a Friday night game against 13th-ranked UCLA (7-2, 4-2) at the Rose Bowl.

Sarkisian didn’t want to label Friday’s game against the Bruins, specifically, as a necessary step in UW’s progression as a program. The coach puts the emphasis instead on the entirety of November, which this year the Huskies hope is a month of redemption.

“I think this month is about the next step, quite honestly,” Sarkisian said. “We think we have a great opportunity to close out the season the way we’re capable of doing it, and this is the next game on the schedule to make that happen.”

It will require an uncommon result. The Huskies haven’t beaten UCLA at the Rose Bowl since 1995 — they won more recently in the Rose Bowl game over Purdue in 2001 — and the Bruins haven’t lost there this season.

And UW hasn’t defeated a ranked team on the road since Oct. 2, 2010, when it won 32-31 at No. 18 USC.

The last time the Huskies went on the road was Oct. 19, when Arizona State blasted past them in a 53-24 beatdown that had some UW fans wondering whether the program was, indeed, trending upward.

UW has won twice since, over Pac-12 doormats California and Colorado, bolstering its record to 6-3 while regaining some confidence and giving its starters some needed rest.

They’ll need it for Friday. Sarkisian said he’s “hopeful” that injured safety Will Shamburger will be able to play, though the short week will make it more difficult. And sophomore linebacker Shaq Thompson, who battled a stinger during Saturday’s blowout of Colorado, is “good to go,” Sarkisian said.

Full strength will be a requirement to beat a Bruins team that has lost only to Stanford and Oregon — both teams ranked in the nation’s top six — and recently unleashed freshman linebacker Myles Jack as a running back to the tune of six carries for 120 yards.

Jack, who played at Bellevue High School, won the Pac-12’s Offensive Player of the Week award. And he still played linebacker.

But he’s just one of many talented pieces for the Bruins — sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley and linebacker Anthony Barr among them — who are again a prime contender for the Pac-12 South championship after winning it last season in Jim Mora’s first year as coach.

Win, and the Huskies will be 4-3 in Pac-12 play with a legitimate chance still to win nine regular-season games. Lose, and they’ll fall below .500 in conference play with another difficult road game at Oregon State next week.

“They’re going to make some plays,” Sarkisian said of UCLA. “They’re going to make their tackles, and we have to be able to move onto that next play and focus on the task at hand. For us, from the next step standpoint, it’s doing that and it’s doing that for 60 minutes against a really good football team on the road.”

OSU game time set

It was announced Monday that Washington’s game at Oregon State on Nov. 23 will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. and air on ESPN2.

The Huskies finish the regular season with a 12:30 p.m. game against Washington State on Nov. 29.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.