Huskies host Buffaloes: Flashback to 1999 last time Colorado came to Husky Stadium

By Kshell

The Washington Huskies(4-1,2-0) take on the Colorado Buffaloes(1-5,0-2) this Saturday at home in Husky Stadium. The Huskies are coming off a bye week and have won two games in a row. While the Buffaloes have lost three games in a row and in a rebuilding season. The Huskies are looking to go 5-1 for the first time since 2001 and 3-0 in conference play for the first time since 1997. The Huskies will have their hands full defensively as the Buffaloes feature running back Rodney Stewart who has rushed for 399 yards(3.7 YPC) with a touchdown but also has caught 26 passes for 417 yards(16.0 YPC). The Buffaloes quarterback is Tyler Hansen who has thrown for 1,527 yards with 12 touchdowns to three interceptions on the season. The Huskies are favored by 14.5 points this game due to their explosive offense.

The Huskies offense is averaging 34 points per game led by sophomore quarterback Keith Price. Price is completing 68.3% of his passes for 1,209 yards so far with 17 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Price likes to spread the ball around but the leading receiver for the Huskies is actually from Colorado. Devin Aguilar who was a four star recruit wasn't even offered a scholarship by the Buffaloes. Aguilar for the season has 15 receptions for 293 yards(19.5 YPC) with two touchdowns. The Huskies are also led by Chris Polk who has rushed for 595 yards(5.1 YPC) with three touchdowns. Polk has also caught 10 passes for 128 yards with a touchdown on the season. The Buffaloes defense has allowed over 33 points per game so look for the Huskies offense to exploit the Buffaloes defense. Steve Sarkisian in year three appears to have this program heading in the right direction while the Buffaloes appear to be where the Huskies were back in the 2004-2009 era. Both programs were once proud programs who have fallen on hard times. In this following post I'll flashback to the 1999 meeting which featured first year Huskies coach Rick Neuheisel against his old team the Buffaloes.

September 25th, 1999: Colorado Buffaloes(2-1) at Washington Huskies(0-2)


This game was a very hated contest heading into the game. Rick Neuheisel left the Colorado Buffaloes after just four seasons for the Washington Huskies. The Huskies made Neuheisel the third highest paid coach in the nation behind Florida State's Bobby Bowden and Florida's Steve Spurrier. When Neuheisel came to Washington he was immediately reported for recruiting violations by Oregon Ducks head coach Mike Belotti, Washington State Cougars coach Mike Price and Colorado Buffaloes coach Gary Barnett. More importantly for Neuheisel was getting his Huskies on track as he began his career 0-2 with junior quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo wasn't fitting in Neuheisel's pro style offense. Leading up to the Colorado week Neuheisel switched gears and decided to become an option team. That decision would alter Huskies history over the next two seasons. This was a big game on ABC as Colorado preseason was ranked in the top 5 but they were upset to Colorado State so Barnett wasn't making friends at his new school either. While the Huskies were coming off an embarassing home loss to Air Force. Both programs who won a national championship earlier that decade needed this win. For the Huskies who were coming off a lackluster 6-6 season couldn't afford to start the year off 0-3.


After a scoreless first quarter the Huskies finally got on the board. The Huskies had a very long consuming drive that lasted over seven minutes which ended in a difficult decision by Neuheisel. The game was 0-0 and the Huskies were facing a fourth and goal from the one yard line. Neuheisel who always took risks decided to go for it on fourth down. He was rewarded by a Willie Hurst one yard leap into the endzone to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead which was short lived. On the ensuing kickoff Buffaloes cornerback Ben Kelly silent the Husky crowd with a 98 yard kickoff return for the touchdown. In the third quarter the Huskies would regain the lead after another long drive Hurst would end the drive with a three yard touchdown run to give the Huskies a 14-7 lead. The Buffaloes would strike back with a Cortlend Johnson 24 yard touchdown run to tie up the score at 14-14. Tuiasosopo would fumble the ball and once again Kelly was right there to take advantage. Kelly scooped up the fumble 38 yards for the touchdown to give the Buffaloes a 21-14 lead. The Huskies would respond when true freshman John Anderson hit a 40 yard field goal to cut the lead to 21-17 heading into the fourth quarter. That is when Tuiasosopo like he would do for the next two seasons came alive in the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Huskies would call for a fake option play action pass. Tuiasosopo would hit Gerald Harris for a 36 yard touchdown pass to give the Huskies a 24-21 lead over the Buffaloes in the fourth quarter. The Buffaloes would tie the game up at 24-24 after a field goal which left Tuiasosopo and the Huskies time for one final drive. With three minutes to go in the contest Tuiasosopo hit Chris Jurgens for a nine yard touchdown pass which had 72,068 fans at Husky Stadium screaming. The Huskies took the lead 31-24 over the Buffaloes. The Buffaloes were driving for overtime had the ball on the Huskies 21 yard line with little over a minute to go in the game. That is when Anthony Vountoure intercepted the pass in the endzone to give the Huskies their 600th win in program history and for Neuhiesel his first of 33 victories for the Huskies. For the Huskies they won this game by controlling the clock. The Huskies ran the ball 52 times for 205 yards and held the ball for over 36 minutes. They were led by Tuiasosopo who was 12-23 passing for 210 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Tuiasosopo also ran for 56 yards on 14 carries. The Huskies ground game also saw Willie Hurst rush for 85 yards on 19 carries, Paul Arnold 21 yards on six carries. The Huskies would go on to finish 7-5 on the year finishing second in the Pac-10. They would win the Pac-10 and the Rose Bowl the following season as Neuheisel could have been elected mayor in Seattle.

In conclusion, these two programs were once powerhouse programs in the 1990's have both fallen in this decade. The Huskies led by Sarkisian appear to have recovered finally from their slump while the Buffaloes are headed for a long season. The Huskies hopefully learned from their mistakes against Eastern Washington won't take the Buffaloes lightly. This is a team that could easily be 3-3 but instead they are 1-5 without their top receiver Paul Richardson. The Huskies offense should have no problem against the Buffaloes defense who has a young secondary. Look for Price to light up the Buffaloes secondary as he is finally healthy for the first time all season long. Sarkisian like Neuheisel was back then is on top of the mountain at Montlake and unlike Neuheisel I think he'll last more than four seasons in Seattle. The Huskies are hoping to turn the corner as a program and that starts this Saturday with a convincing win over a conference opponent. This game on Saturday won't have the grudge match as that game in 1999 but this game is an opportunity for the Huskies to show they are for real this season.

I LOVE THIS TOWN

By: PAYNE

First and foremost I would like to thank all of the readers who took their time to read this piece. I hope this is my first of many articles that I would like to share here at SSB. My name is Korey Payne and I am currently a 23 year old student in the Wenatchee area and would one day like to combine my passion for sports along with my love of storytelling.

Growing up 60 minutes from Seattle I naturally was raised as your typical Seattle sports fan. Go Seahawks, Go Mariners, Go Huskies, & Go Sonics (by the way, I haven’t drunk an ounce of Starbucks since our beloved Sonics were deported like a bag of coffee from Columbia). One thing I didn’t pay much attention to as a youngster was wins & losses. All I wanted to see was Shawn Kemp create posters and Ken Griffey blast homeruns. It was great. No matter what time of the year it was I could always count on watching my team go to battle and watch my favorite superstars ship highlights to the sports center express. The sounds of Dave Niehaus, Kevin Calabro, and Steve Raible still give me chills (RIP Dave Niehaus).

I was also very fortunate to attend a number of Husky football camps that were held annually at Evergreen State College where I could spend time with just my grandmother and myself. Of course my favorite college team in the world. Often the likes of Reggie Williams, Marques Tuiasosopo, and Cody Pickett would make their way to the sidelines to show me a little love and engage in a game of catch or take a simple picture. What was simple to them made lifetime memories for me.



As I began to mature however, I noticed one common occurrence between all of my teams. We seemed to never win a championship. While we came up close a few times such as the Sonics in 96, the Mariners 116 win season in 01’, to as close as a couple of NFL referees away from the Lombardi trophy in 2005(2006 Super Bowl). There were also those seasons where we would just flat out stink. And I mean a lot of seasons. Probably more combined than other city if you were to add up total losing seasons from the top 3 major American sports. Wait, I forgot Cleveland is still on the map even after the king left the building (or quicken loans arena in this matter).This pattern was all too familiar and often left me with a lot of heartbreak. Yes, I use Seattle sports as an excuse to why I was a fat loser growing up. But wait, maybe just maybe this was not the worst thing in the world. Let me explain…



Imagine a city rich of sports history, 10+ championships in all three of our major sports. A couple NCAA championships. Maybe even a Heisman or two for Cody Pickett. While this may sound like a dream come true to most and believe me, it does to me as well. What if we become spoiled by these roller coaster marathons with our teams that anything else would just be unpleasant. If the Mariners were looking for their third straight world series title, it would consume the vast majority of our lives for those six plus months out of the year. Die-hard fans such as myself wouldn’t be able to help it. Look how miserable Yankees and Red Sox fans look.

You know that feeling when you’re driving down I-5 on a sunny day and your favorite song is on the radio and it feels like nothing can screw your day up until all of a sudden a black Volvo with Oregon license plates cuts you off and sends your brain to the insane asylum? That has got to be what it’s like on a daily basis for those fans. The constant pressure of needing your team to meet unreasonable expectations from not only the media but yourself. There is that slight chance that we may have it better than them. Our teams upper management are constantly making big moves in each of the off seasons to keep us interested and allow ourselves to quietly think, “maybe this is our year”. Now this thought usually goes away half way through the season but it leaves you just enough time to not get too attached and you are able to go on about your simple life and enjoy that simple life.

Think how nice it is not having to argue with your wife (or husband) about watching too much sports. When your team is 10 games out of first place it makes it difficult to watch every down, pitch, or possession. Of course there will always be those near miracle seasons you put together such as the three I previously listed. We all should know by now that there is no greater feeling that being the underdog and having a chance to shock the world knowing deep down that you knew we had the chance all along. It gives us a feeling of accomplishment like we helped get them there and “were gonna show those idiot east coast fans” that we have a good as shot as any.



Now I don’t want you to think that in some sick way I want to live my whole life without seeing one of my teams going the distance. At the same time a little reflection in knowing that I don’t have it so bad doesn’t hurt. I’m proud to say I’m a Seattle fan no matter where I go and no matter what city I’m in I will represent Seattle sports with a smile on my face knowing that we assemble the greatest group of guys who truly want to be here. I know that every game I go to there is going to be thousands of screaming fans just like myself who have been through the same ups and downs as I have and no matter how bad a previous season ended up they continue to say…There is always next year…

Huskies take on Cornhuskers in Holiday Bowl

By Kshell

When the Washington Huskies(6-6,5-4) take the field tonight in their first bowl game in eight years facing them will be a familiar foe. The Huskies will be facing defending Holiday Bowl champion #17 Nebraska Cornhuskers(10-3,6-2) who destroyed the Huskies earlier in the year 56-21. That was a game which saw Jake Locker have his career worst day passing just 4 for 20 with two picks and another pick that was called back. The Huskies will now have a chance for redemption against the Cornhuskers. The Huskies will also be trying to do something no Huskies team has ever done which is win the Holiday Bowl. The Huskies have lost three close games in years past in the Holiday Bowl. In this following blog post I'll review those Holiday Bowl games which this year will be the fourth time sine 1996 the Huskies have played in this bowl.

December 30th, 1996: #8 Colorado Buffaloes(9-2,7-1) vs #13 Washington Huskies(9-2,7-1)

This was when the Holiday Bowl featured on most occasions two highly ranked teams. This game featured Rick Neuheisel before he supposedly ruined Huskies football as Colorado's head coach. The Buffaloes were led by Senior quarterback Koy Detmer and future scumbag Rae Carruth. The Huskies were led by running back Corey Dillon and freshman quarterback Brock Huard.

The Huskies began the game up 14-0 behind Dillon rushing for two touchdowns on the first two possessions. After that the Buffaloes defense wouldn't allow another score. Detmer would hit future murderer Carruth for a 76 yard touchdown pass to pull within 14-7. Then Huard threw an interception that was ran back for a touchdown to even the game at 14-14.

Jerome Pathon would give the Huskies the lead back when he ran back the kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown to give the Huskies a 21-14 lead. The Buffaloes would lead 24-21 in the first half which looked to be a shootout. Instead both defenses settled down as the Buffaloes won 33-21 led by game MVP Detmer who completed 25 of 45 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns for the Buffaloes.

December 29th, 1999: Washignton Huskies(7-4,6-2) vs #7 Kansas State Wildcats(10-1, 7-1)



This game featured two teams who didn't want to be there. First for the second straight year Kansas State saw their national championship hopes die once again late in the year. Add insult to injury the Wildcats wouldn't be playing on January 1st. Hoping to avoid what happened the previous year where they were upset the Wildcats were focused this game.

The Huskies under first year head coach Rick Neuheisel saw them almost reach the Rose Bowl. In fact all the Huskies had to do was beat the two worst teams in the Pac-10 to reach the Rose Bowl but instead fell to UCLA in overtime to end their hopes. Both teams featured running threats quarterbacks as Kansas State had Jonathan Beasley while the Huskies had Marques Tuiasosopo who nicknamed by Keith Jackson as the "warrior" when he bruised his tail bone but threw for 300 yards and ran for 200 yards against eventual Pac-10 champion Stanford Cardinals.

This was a terrific back and forth game which saw the Huskies kick two field goals in the first quarter but Beasley for a one yard touchdown to give the Wildcats a 7-6 lead at the end of the first. After trailing 10-6 the Huskies would take the lead at halftime when Pat Conniff would rush for a three yard touchdown to give the Huskies a 13-10 lead at halftime.

In the second half Beasley would rush for an 11 yard touchdown to give the Wildcats a 17-13 lead. The Huskies would then answer back with a touchdown from Maurice Shaw from five yards out to give the Huskies a 20-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter. That is when Kansas State went on a 20 play 92 yard drive after intercepting Tuiasosopo on the eight yard line for the game winning touchdown. The touchdown was capped by Beasley's third rushing touchdown of the game from one yard out.

The Huskies would lose the heartbreaker but go on to the Rose Bowl the next year. Tuiasosopo finished 18 of 27 for 197 yards with 11 rushes for 30 yards. Beasley the games MVP had just 48 yards rushing but three touchdowns along with 216 yards passing.

December 28th, 2001: #21 Washington Huskies(8-3,6-2) vs #9 Texas Longhorns(10-2,7-1)



This game goes down as one of the top Holiday Bowl games ever played. The Texas Longhorns were hoping to play for the National Championship but were upset in the Big 12 title game by Colorado a team they had destroyed earlier in the year. The Huskies began the year 7-1 saw themselves limping into this game after being destroyed by eventual national champion Miami Hurricanes 65-7. Rick Neuheisel was the Huskies coach who in his first three years as Huskies coach saw his teams finish second in the Pac-10, win the Pac-10 and finish second again. Both teams featured strong passing games from Texas Quarterback Major Applewhite who replaced Chris Simms, Applewhite's main target was Roy WIlliams. While the Huskies featured sophomore quarterback Cody Pickett whose main weapon was Reggie Williams.

After a scoreless first quarter the fireworks began in the second quarter. After two John Anderson field goals for the Huskies they finally scored a touchdown when Terry Johnson a defensive lineman intercepted a pass and ran it back 38 yards for a touchdown to give the Huskies a 13-0 lead. The Longhorns would answer back when Applewhite would hit a 43 yard touchdown pass then a 25 yard touchdown pass to Roy Williams to retake the lead at 14-13. The Huskies would kick score a touchdown when Pickett would hit seldom used tight end Joe Collier for a four yard touchdown. With no time remaining Anderson would kick his third field goal to give the Huskies a 23-14 lead at halftime.



The Huskies would began the second half with Pickett hitting Jeramy Stevens in the flat as Stevens would rumble in the end zone for a 17 yard touchdown. After a Longhorns field goal cut the lead to 30-17 the Huskies would score another touchdown by Willie Hurst from four yards out. The Huskies would fail on the two point try but hold a commanding 36-17 lead. That is when Applewhite would start picking on Chris Massey over and over again. The Longhorns would get another field goal pulling within 36-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth Applewhite would throw for a two yard touchdown, then the Longhorns would rush for another touchdown pulling the game within 36-33. Applewhite would then hit tight end Bo Scaife from four yards out to give the Longhorns a 40-36 lead with six minutes to play. The Huskies Willie Hurst playing in his last game would bust a 34 yard touchdown run with a little over a minute left which everyone thought the Huskies would win. Applewhite wasn't done just yet he would hit some more long passes to Roy WIlliams which set up the game winning touchdown by Ivan Williams from three yards out. The Longhorns would win 47-43.

The MVP award was Co-MVP which was fitting as there was no losers in this game. Applewhite would complete 37 of 55 passes for 473 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He was the Co-MVP and his main target was Roy WIlliams who caught 11 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. For the Huskies WIllie Hurst ran for 137 yards on 16 carries for two touchdowns in earning the Co-MVP in the loss. Cody Pickett completed 27 of 54 passes for 293 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. His main weapon was tight end Jerramy Stevens who caught nine passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.

As you can see the Huskies all three times were huge underdogs much like today. All three times the Huskies had leads in the game but couldn't hang on. After what everyone saw in September when Nebraska spanked the Huskies 56-21 Husky fans would take a close game and build for the future. The Holiday Bowl has always had some crazy scores and finishes and hopefully this year the Huskies can pull off the upset.

Top five Husky blowout wins in Apple Cup history

By Kshell

In rivalries like the Apple Cup for example the media likes to portray how on any given Saturday anyone can win. You hear the phrase "you can throw out the records" well in this rivalry some upsets have happened that is true. What they won't tell you is how lopsided this series is. The Huskies lead 65-31-6 and have won more games in my lifetime(born in 1985-16 wins) than the Cougars have won in my dad's lifetime(Born in 1961-15 wins). The Cougars have never defeated the Huskies three years in a row, while the Huskies have defeated the Cougars three years in a row nine different times. In this following post I'll break down the blowout wins that are never brought up which took place in my lifetime.

5. November 17th, 2001: #9 Washington State Cougars(9-1,6-1) at #16 Washington Huskies(7-2,5-2)

This game was hyped up as the biggest Apple Cup since 1981 which took place 20 years earlier in Seattle. If the Oregon Ducks reached the national championship game there was a good chance the Cougars could play in the Rose Bowl with a win in Seattle. Instead they realized they weren't ready to beat the Huskies in Seattle yet.

The Huskies would feature the young passing attack of Cody Pickett to Reggie Williams. Pickett would end up throwing for 371 yards on the day while his freshman receiver Williams would have 11 receptions for 203 yards. In the first quarter the Huskies would also have a huge goal-line stand on the Cougars. Cougars coach Mike Price would elect to go for it on fourth and goal and the Huskies defense would stuff the Cougars in the process.




After the score was tied at 7-7 the Huskies would kick a field goal with nine seconds left to go up 10-7. The Cougars would then fumble the following kickoff so the Huskies would kick another field goal to go up 13-7 at halftime. Then in the second half the Cougars would continue to cost themselves with turnovers, a running back pass on the Huskies 13 would be intercepted. The Huskies would score their final three possessions off Cougar turnovers. At one point the Huskies led 26-7 before the Cougars finally scored making the final score 26-14. This game didn't live up to the hype as the Cougars showed they weren't ready for the Huskies.

4. November 28th, 2009: Washington State(1-10,0-8) at Washington Huskies (3-7,2-5)

This game I attended and was the only game I walked away not happy with my teams performance despite a blowout win. The Huskies won 30-0 but left so many points on the board that the score could have been really ugly.

The Huskies led by Mason Foster and the defense shut out the Cougars for the first time sinec 1964. It was a great way for Steve Sarkisian in his first year to begin his Apple Cup career much like Don James, Jim Lambright, Rick Neuheisel and yes even Keith Gilbertson did which was win the game.




The shut the Cougars out 30-0 behind Jake Locker who completed 16 of 28 passes for 196 yards and a 50 yard touchdown to Jermaine Kearse in the first quarter. Locker also ran for 94 yards and a touchdown. Chris Polk rush for 130 yards on 25 carries as the Cougars were no match up front for Chris Polk. Kearse would finish with four receptions for 94 yards and the touchdown.

The Cougars would finish with a pathetic 163 yards of total offense. There was no jumping around for Paul Wulff this year. The Huskies were pumped for this game having lost two in a row and in typical Apple Cup fassion when they are the superior team they blow the Cougars out.

3.November 18th, 2000: #6 Washington Huskies(9-1,6-1) at Washington State Cougars(4-6,2-5)




The Huskies had found out the Oregon State Beavers had knocked off the Oregon Ducks meaning a win here and the Huskies would be going to the Rose Bowl. The Huskies all year long had to use fourth quarter magic to win games but not this game. There was no drama in this contest which stands as the biggest Apple Cup blowout ever.

The Huskies came out from the beginning on fire knowing what they had to do. Led by Pac-10 player of the year Marques Tuiasosopo who hit freshman Wilbur Hooks for a 19 yard touchdown pass then Justin Robbins for a six yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter the Huskies fullback Pat Conniff would score on a six yard rushing touchdown. Then Tuiasosopo would hit Robbins again from 34 yards out with four seconds left in the half to give the Huskies a 27-0 lead. The lead was so huge that a Cougar runningback quit the team at halftime.




The Huskies would be up 37-0 before Price and the Cougars would kick a field goal to avoid the shutout. The Huskies would win the game 51-3 which saw backup quarterback and future Apple Cup star Cody Pickett play the entire fourth quarter. Tuiasosopo would finish 11 for 20 for 190 yards with three touchdowns. The running game which saw freshman Rich Alexis rush for 122 yards on 11 carries and Braxton Cleman rush 15 times for 105 yards on the game. This was your classic Huskies going to the Rose Bowl beat up on the Cougars to prepare for Pasadena game.

2. November 17, 1990: #10 Washington(8-2,7-1) at Washington State(3-7,2-5)



This was another classic Husky domination over the Cougars which featured quarterback Drew Bledsoe as a freshman. The Huskies led by sophomore Mark Brunell were coming off an upset loss to UCLA at home. The Huskies were already going to the Rose Bowl were hoping to play for a National Championship. Those dreams would have to wait for a year.




The Huskies would have to play without Doak Walker award winner Greg Lewis. Good thing for the Huskies they also had the very talented Beno Bryant backing him up. The Huskies defense destroyed Bledsoe and the Cougars and the Huskies killed the Cougars this game 55-10 in Pullman. Showing the Cougars whose was boss in another game that would help them gain confidence heading into a Rose Bowl win over Iowa 46-34. Mark Brunell would the Rose Bowl MVP. Just remember like usual when the Huskies go to the Rose Bowl it involves a blow out win over the Cougars.

1. November 23rd, 1991: Washington State Cougars(4-6,3-4) at #2 Washington Huskies(10-0,7-0)

The controversy heading into this week was that Cougars head coach Mike Price publicy stated he was going to vote the Miami Hurricanes #1 in the coaches poll because he was friends with Dennis Erickson. The Huskies again clinched another trip to the Rose Bowl but were hoping to win the National Championship.




The Huskies again would blow out the Cougars whose quarterback was Drew Bledsoe. With the Huskies leading 12-7, Walter Bailey intercepted a Bledsoe pass 37 yards for a touchdown after a two point concersation the Huskies led 20-7. The Huskies defense kept the pressue on Bledsoe sacking him seven times and forcing six Cougar turnovers. While Billy Joe Hobert passed for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Hobert would connect twice with Mario Bailey for touchdowns. The Huskies would later add a safety on Bledsoe.

When it was all sad and done despite Bledsoe throwing for 334 yards on the Huskies impressive defense the Huskies would win 56-21. The Huskies were so used to greatness they weren't happy with their performance or how they allowed 21 points to the Cougars. That is when you know you kick someone's behind when you win by five touchdowns and still are complaining.

The Huskies would finish this season with a 12-0 record, beating Michigan in the Rose Bowl 34-14 and winning the coaches share of the National Championship. The Huskies also had beat the Cougars in back to back years by a combined score of 111-31. Drew Bledsoe is remembered for beating the Huskies in the "snow bowl" but people often forget he was part of back to back blowouts.

At the end of the day during the game and Apple Cups for years to come you'll hear how great this rivalry is. Just remember that this is a one sided rivalry where if the Huskies are the better team they'll blow the Cougars out. The last time the Cougars beat the Huskies by more than seven points was in 1994, while the Huskies have beaten them by more than seven points in that same span four times. The Huskies since 1990 have beaten the Cougars by more than 30 points four times. So when the Huskies are clicking against the Cougars that usually means that it's a blowout. Hopefully the game later today is another game the media conventiently forgets about.

Who has the better quarterbacks historically? Huskies or Cougars?

By Kshell

When the Washington Huskies(5-6,4-4) travel to Pullman to take on cross state rival Washington State Cougars(2-9,1-7) this Saturday there will be a ton of focus on quarterbacks Jake Locker and Jeff Tuel. Now if you talk to Cougar fans they'll have you believe Tuel is better than Locker but that simply isn't the case at least not now. Tuel has a bright future ahead of him for the Cougars who have produced some good quarterbacks in their time period. While Jake Locker will most likely be the first Husky quarterback drafted in the first round of the NFL draft.

With all this talk about quarterbacks that started up a friendly debate on which school has the better quarterbacks? Now I'll admit when it comes to stats WSU wins as their quarterbacks have put up some great statistics. As I know from watching Locker or Cody Pickett statistics don't always tell the story for a quarterback. Like 15 of the last 17 starting quarterbacks for the Huskies have played professionally. The Cougars just can't compete with the Huskies depth and quantity of good quarterbacks. In this following blog post I'll debate with Tory Johnson who is an avid Coug fan who you might see post on Seattle PI's Jim Moores page quite often. Now don't be afraid he is a classy Cougar who loves his Cougars while remaining respectful to the Huskies. I'll let him make his points first then I'll give you reasons why the Huskies have better quarterbacks.

Tory Johnson:

Many people nowadays would say that, if you look at their recent history, Washington State is no longer Quarterback U. It cannot be argued, however, that Washington State earned that title by having a vast array of talent at that position through the years.

Even though I’m showing why Washington State has had the better quarterbacks historically I am, in no way , saying that Washington quarterbacks have been bad (because they’re not). I will just state why Washington State quarterbacks, historically, have been better.

Here is my list of the top 5 Washington State quarterbacks since 1975:

5. Mark Rypien
The first Canadian born quarterback to start in the NFL, Rypien was best known for his accuracy as a deep passer. Rypien may not have had the best pass you’ve ever seen, but he could throw a 50 yard pass more accurately than any quarterback.. He was a two time All-American (1984 & 1985) and was named the PAC-10 best quarterback in 1985. He finished his career at Washington State with 4,573 yards, 28 touchdowns, and a 53.2% completion percentage. His completion percentage ranks 10th all-time.

Rypien was the perfect example of hard work, determination, and strong will.




4. Jack Thompson
Named “The Throwin’ Samoan” by the Spokesman-Review, Thompson racked up 7,818 yards and set PAC-10 records (at the time) for attempts, completions, and touchdowns. When he left for the NFL in 1978 he was deemed the most prolific passer in NCAA history and arguably still is. His senior season he finished ninth in Heisman voting.

In my opinion Thompson is the face of Washington State football and is the bar every quarterback there strives towards.

3. Jason Gesser
His passion to come play at Washington State was so strong he signed his letter of intent without even visiting the campus or seeing the stadium.

Although he wasn’t drafted Gesser finished his college career breaking Jack Thompson’s illustrious records and had the most wins of any quarterback in Washington State history. In 2002 he finished seventh in Heisman voting and was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

Jason Gesser and Washington State is one of only two teams to beat Boise State in Boise in the last decade. He played through more injuries than any athlete I have seen in a long time.



2. Ryan Leaf
Leaf was the first quarterback in 67 years to lead the Cougars to a Rose Bowl and helped them win the first PAC-10 championship in school history. That same year he averaged 330 yards per game, was third in Heisman Trophy voting (behind Charles Woodson and Peyton Manning), was selected PAC-10 Player of the Year, named first-team All-American, and finished second in the nation in passer efficiency rating.

Leaf was the #2 pick in the draft (behind Manning) and, although he was a bust in the NFL, his legacy at Washington State will live on forever.




1. Drew Bledsoe
My favorite quarterback of all-time, Bledsoe was best known for his bullet pass. I would swear that a receiver gained five yards just from the ball knocking him back that far. Bledsoe racked up 7,373 yards and 46 touchdowns in only three years. In ‘92 he led the team to a #15 ranking in the AP poll and an invitation to the Copper bowl, where they beat Utah. He set WSU records in single-game passing yards (476), single-season pass completions (241), and single-season passing yards (3,246). He also was named PAC-10 Player of the Year in 1992.

He was drafted first in the 1993 NFL draft and, with the impressive career he had, leaves Seahawk fans to wonder what would have been if the Patriots let him fall to second.

My honorable mention would have to be Collin Henderson. While this is tongue-in-cheek, Collin had a passer rating and completion percentage that most quarterbacks would be envious of. He finished 11-12 with 6 touchdown passes.

Kshell:

I'm here to convince you that the Huskies have the better quarterbacks. When you look at my top Husky quarterbacks list since 1975 you'll notice one thing about them. They were all winners and four of my five guys won Rose Bowl MVP's. You see at Washington going to the Rose Bowl isn't good enough but winning the Rose Bowl is what truly matters. I'll also show off the depth in my honorable mention list at the names who didn't crack the top five.

Here is my top five Husky quarterbacks since 1975 that I'm sure will get some fans to disagree with me.

5. Chris Chandler
Don James once called Chris Chandler the greatest athlete he had ever coached. James also said there is no one player he regrets most by not putting enough talent around him than Chris Chandler. Chandler is the only guy on my list who never won a Rose Bowl MVP. Chandler played at Washington from 1984-87 and as a sophomore beat out Senior starter Hugh Millen in the middle of the season.

In Chandlers first career start he led the Huskies down the field on a 98 yard drive to defeat the USC Trojans 20-17. Chandler in his career at Washington finished third all-time in total yardage at 4,442 yards. He also threw for 32 touchdowns in his career at Washington where he won the 1988 Senior Bowl MVP in his last game as a student athlete. Chandler finished his career with 4,360 yards passing with 32 touchdowns and also ran for seven touchdowns. Don't think Chandler was a loser either because he didn't go to a Rose Bowl Chandler finished his career with a record of 17-8-2 with a 2-1 record in bowl games. Chandler is also the only Husky quarterback to ever start a Super Bowl when he led the lowly Atlanta Falcons to their first ever Super Bowl in the 1998 season when they upset 15-1 Minnesota Vikings.

4. Mark Brunell
If it wasn't for a tragic injury in a spring game Brunell could possibly be #1 on this list as is he'll have to settle for #4. Brunell took over as starting quarterback as a Sophomore on a loaded 1990 team. All Brunell did was guide the team to a 10-2 record and a 5th national ranking. Brunell was also Rose Bowl MVP as a Sophomore defeating Iowa 46-34. During his Sophomore year Brunell threw for 16 touchdown passes to 9 interceptions.

Heading into the 1991 season Brunell and everyone else was coming back so it was expected the Huskies would contend for a National Championship. Then in the spring game Brunell went down with a knee injury and many felt his season was over. Not many schools could overcome losing a Rose Bowl MVP at quarterback but James was a great recruiter had highly touted backup Billy Joe Hobert waiting in the wings. Hobert who I'll talk about later took over the starting job and won the National Championship in 1991. As for Brunell in a miracle he would return for the third game. It was so emotional players were crying in the huddle. Brunell would have the signature moment in the 1992 Rose Bowl 34-14 win over Michigan hitting Mario Bailey for a touchdown pass.

In 1992 many people would forget before the Billy Joe Hobert scandal had broken out Brunell had beat out Hobert for the starting job after the fifth game. Brunell would finish his career in his third straight Rose Bowl this time a loss to Michigan 38-31. If the Huskies had won Brunell would have won another Rose Bowl MVP as he threw for 308 yards on the day. Brunell would become the all-time leading passer in Rose Bowl history. Brunell would finish with a 14-5(.736%) record in games he started while at the University of Washington. He threw for 3,734 with 25 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. He also ran for 710 yards with 19 rushing touchdowns in his career.

Brunell would later enjoy a lengthy NFL career that is still going on as he is the backup quarterback for the Jets. For his NFL career he has thrown for 31,935 yards, 182 touchdowns to 107 interceptions. He has made three pro bowls including the 1997 MVP and led the expansion Jaguars to the AFC Championship game in their second year of existence and fifth year of existence. Brunell will always go down as a great Husky and before that knee injury he was like Michael Vick on the field with his running. If not for that knee injury he possibly could have been a three time Rose Bowl MVP and a first round pick.




3. Billy Joe Hobert
My most controversial pick so far. Remember just like with Tory picking Ryan Leaf this list is about what you did on the field for that school. When you think of Billy Joe Hobert you think of winner and it's that simple. Billy Joe Hobert went 17-0 as starting quarterback for the Huskies. It does seem a bit weird how I don't have Hobert #1 with a 17-0 record as starting quarterback.

When the Huskies landed Hobert he was a highly touted recruit from Puyallup, Washington. It also appeared with Brunell being one year older than him that Hobert would never see the field. In fact Hobert thought about transferring after the 1990 season when Brunell cemented himself as the starting quarterback. After a tragic injury happened in the 1991 spring game Hobert took over as starting quarterback. He led the Huskies to a 12-0 season and a National Championship where he won the Rose Bowl MVP along with Steve Emtman.

I put Hobert third because he was on the greatest collection of talent the Huskies have ever had. He was allowed to have bad games like against USC where the Huskies only won 14-3. No other quarterback had as much support as Hobert did. Now Hobert is in the top three because he had the fire and passion while at Washington. His signature game was in 1991 in his second career start at Nebraska in Lincoln. With the Huskies trailing 21-9 a young sophomore quarterback screamed at his teammates "WE WILL NOT LOSE THIS F***ING GAME!" that is when Hobert made his legend. He put on a passing clinic and hit a crucial fourth and nine pass to Orlando McKay. Hobert would throw a touchdown pass, run for two touchdown passes that game.

I can't talk about Hobert without talking about 1992. Hobert was benched after five games to Mark Brunell. Hobert was playing poorly possibly because he got a big head in the offseason, maybe he knew a storm was coming but either way he wasn't playing well. After the Huskies had defeated Stanford 41-7 in which Hobert busted a 42 yard touchdown run he was kicked off the team. Hobert was an underrated athlete by the way as he could run, had a rocket arm and was the teams punter early in the 1991 season. Once Hobert was dismissed from the team the Huskies finished the year 1-3 after winning 22 games in a row. The Huskies would be placed on probation, two year bowl ban, loss of 10 scholarships for two seasons, and worst of all Don James retired out of protest.

It it wasn't for those unfortunate sanctions Hobert would be a legend. He is often the fall guy for why Washington football fell apart and that simply isn't the case. Blame the adults in this situation not a 21 year old kid. Hobert would be drafted in the third round after being forced to leave a Junior. Hobert could never find success in the NFL but I rank him third. In his Huskies career he finished with 3,028 yards passing with 27 touchdowns to only 13 interceptions. He also ran for 290 yards with eight touchdowns. He won the only National Championship that most fans recognize. He was the MVP of the bowl game that won the Huskies a national title that has to count for something.

2. Warren Moon
The most successful quarterback for either school is Warren Moon. He is the only quarterback in pro football's hall of fame and if not for racism would be the all-time passing leader in NFL history. Since this is a list about what they did at Washington though he is ranked 2nd as the NFL stats are nice but don't go a whole ways on this list.

Warren Moon thanked Don James at his Hall of Fame speech because James believed in him when nobody else did. You see Moon wasn't a polished quarterback in the 1970's and back then the belief was black people weren't smart enough to be quarterback. James was the only coach who gave Moon a shot at quarterback. Moon wasn't successful his first two years going 11-11 and started off his Senior year 1-3. The fans were booing Moon and wanted him and James out of town ASAP. You think Sarkisian and Locker take heat now? That was nothing compared to the stories I've heard back then.

Then everything changed for the Huskies as they finished the year Pac-10 champions. Moon had led the Huskies to their first Rose Bowl in 13 seasons. He was trying to win their first Rose Bowl in 16 seasons. In that Rose Bowl against heavy favorite Michigan who was ranked fourth in the nation Moon threw for a touchdown and ran for two more in the stunning 27-20 upset of the Wolverines. Warren Moon just like the previous two guys on my list was named Rose Bowl MVP. That win cemented Don James was the right man for the job and under James the Huskies would win six Pac-10 championship, four Rose Bowls, one Orange Bowl and one National Championship. Moon was the man who started it all and he was reward was being not drafted by the NFL.

Moon would have to wait for the NFL but would go to the CFL where he would win five Grey Cups including two Grey Cup MVPs, one CFL MVP and throw for 21,228 yards with 144 touchdowns to just 77 interceptions. To prove that wasn't a fluke when he finally got a chance to play in the NFL where he mostly starred for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings he threw for 49,325 yards and 350 touchdowns. He was selected to nine Pro Bowls winning the Pro Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks at 41 years old in 1998 becoming oldest player to win the games MVP. Moon was also a three time all-pro quarterback in 1988-90.

Yes Moon was a great pro and is the symbol of Don James football. Without Moon breaking out in 1977 good chance James is fired and the Huskies never go on their 25 year run of excellence which saw them win five Rose Bowls and eight Pac-10 titles. Warren Moon never forgets where he came from either always thanking Don James and the Huskies for believing in him when nobody else did.




1. Marques Tuiasosopo
He didn't put up the greatest stats in his college career only passing for 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions his Senior year. So you must be asking with average stats like that why is he is number one out of all these great quarterbacks?

He is number one because he willed an average team to an 11-1 record finished ranked third in the nation. Tuiasosopo nicknamed the "warrior" by Keith Jackson was the ultimate team leader. Tuiasosopo during his Senior year at Washington led seven fourth quarter wins. He wouldn't let his team quit ever. During the Stanford game when Curtis Williams was in the hospitital and nobody had any clue if he was going to survive Tuiasosopo was there to bark orders. He led the team on an 80 yard drive in just three plays in under 40 seconds for the win.

Tuiasosopo made his name as a true freshman when he threw 270 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-14 loss to eventual National Champions Nebraska Cornhuskers. The following year Tuiasosopo filled in for the injured Brock Huard and was 2-0 as a starter which was huge as the Huskies went just 6-6 on the year. As a Junior Tuiasosopo led the team to a Holiday Bowl appearance taking second place in the Pac-10. Against Pac-10 champion Stanford, he threw for over 300 yards and ran for over 200 yards becoming the first and so far to date only player to ever do that in a single game. Then his Senior year he beat future Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees in the Rose Bowl and won Rose Bowl MVP in a 34-24 win over Purdue.

When I think of Tuiasosopo I think of winner as he went 20-7(.740%) in his career as a starter. He was also a good player as well finishing eighth in the heisman his Senior year and was named Pac-10 offensive player of the year in 2000. Tuiasosopo when he graduated was the all-time yardage leader in Husky history, second in passing yards behind Brock Huard and led all quarterbacks in rushing yards which was later broken by Jake Locker. Tuiasosopo would later be a second round pick in the NFL draft but wouldn't enjoy much success. He finished his career with 5,501 yards passing, 31 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,379 yards with 20 touchdowns.  He is my number one Husky quarterback because he took an average team who would have zero future pro bowlers on the roster to the third national ranking. He defeated Miami Hurricans and Oregon State that year giving them their only losses. When I think of Tuiasosopo I think of winner and that is what Husky football is all about.

Honorable Mentions:
HB: Cody Picket- All-time passing leader in Husky history with 10,220 yards and 55 touchdown passes. Went 3-0 in the apple cup

HB: Brock Huard- When he left Washington was the All-time passing leader in yards. Is currently second in passing touchdowns all-time with 53. Went 19-11 as a starting quarterback. Was a third round draft pick.

HB: Damon Haurd- When he graduated he was the All-time passing leader in yards. Went 21-12-1 as a starting quarterback. Went 2-1 in Apple Cups.

HB: Jake Locker- Statistically one of the great Husky quarterbacks. Due to lack of wins he makes honorable mention. As a PASSER he needs four touchdown passes to become the all-time leader in Husky history. As a rusher he already has the most combined touchdowns in Washington history


At the end of the day the Huskies have the depth. I'm also leaving out such guys like Steve Pelluer, Tom Flick, Cary Conklin, and Hugh Millen. All guys who played in a Rose Bowl or Orange Bowl and enjoyed some time in the NFL. The Huskies quarterbacks have another thing over Cougar quarterbacks which is Rose Bowl wins and Apple Cup wins. On Tory's list the Cougars quarterbacks combined won three applecups as starting quarterbacks while the Huskies quarterbacks won nine apple cups to just two losses. Both schools have had great tradition in producing quarterbacks though and this Saturday features another pair that both schools can be proud of. This is why rivalry week is so special so we can debate on which school is better at what. I won't attempt to debate who parties the best though we all know WSU is ranked first at that. Hey gotta be number one at something right?

Flashback to 2000 senior against UCLA

By Kshell

Every year in November is a special time of the year especially for the Seniors. We will be experiencing this later today when the Husky fans say good bye to Jake Locker and the rest of this Senior class. Well I'll be talking about another Senior night which featured a Huskies big time quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo. The Huskies were off to a great season in 2000 heading into this game with a 8-1(5-1) record. The Huskies were facing the one team this senior class had never defeated and who knocked them out of last years Rose Bowl the UCLA Bruins. Rick Neuheisel who was Rose Bowl MVP for the Bruins back in the 1980's was now head coach at Washington and wanted to exact some revenge.

November 11th, 2000: UCLA Bruins(6-3,3-3) at #7 Washington Huskies(8-1,5-1)

For this game on Senior night would be a family affair for us. Not only would my dad be going with me but so would my brother(who knows goes to WSU), my grandpa, my uncle, my uncles daughter and my uncles friend who is now a head wrestling coach. We were all sitting together and it was great. I was a freshman in high school at the time who had just completed my freshman football season and was about to try Wrestling for the first time(one of my better decisions in life). This was also the coldest game I had ever gone to as it was a night game on primetime for ABC.

The Senior introductions was pretty cool and the crowd was loud but they had forgotton someone and he was pretty important. They didn't name Tuiasosopo then I remember Huskies PA announcer Lou Gellerman saying "Last but certainly not least lets hear a big roar dawg fans for Marques Tuiasosopo". The crowd was going crazy as the student body section was waving the white hankies and it was a great site to see. The picture I have above is of Tuiasosopo and the offensive lineman seniors including Matt Rogers of American Idol. That picture I got from Derek Johnson who wrote Dawgs of War.

Then the game began and the Huskies were usually slow starters came out early and jumped on UCLA. Tuiasosopo in my endzone hit Jerramy Stevens for a 13 yard touchdown pass to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead. The Huskies would respond with another touchdown by Willie Hurst from three yards out to give the Huskies a 14-0 lead. As it was with every game that year minus the Apple Cup it wouldn't be a Husky game without some drama.

The Bruins would respond by scoring 21 unanswered points first by Corey Paus hitting Ieremia-Stansbury for a five yard touchdown pass to cut the lead 14-7 heading into the second quarter. Then in the second quarter the Huskies offense would do nothing and Deshaun Foster who would torch them in 2001 ran for two touchdowns to give the Bruins a 21-14 lead at halftime.

At halftime as I was sitting their freezing along with my little brother I sitting there thinking here we go again. UCLA ended our Rose Bowl hopes in 1999, won on Senior night in 1998, destroyed our Rose Bowl hopes in 1997 and ruined our National Championship hopes in 1990 which was also on Senior night. I was hoping the Huskies could pull off that second half magic which they had done the entire year.

In the second half the Huskies pounded the rock down UCLA's throat. In a game which saw the Huskies hold the ball for nearly 40 minutes the Huskies big senior offensive line controlled the game. The Huskies senior fullback Pat Conniff would score touchdown runs of four yards then five yards out to give the Huskies a 28-21 lead. Then on the third drive of the quarter Tuiasosopo would hit Todd Elstrom for a two yard touchdown pass to give the Huskies a rare lead heading into the fourth up 35-21.

In the fourth quarter UCLA would make the game interesting when Paus would connect with James Poli-Dixon from seven yards out with under two minutes to go to cut the lead to 35-28. UCLA attempted to onside kick the ball and I noticed #11 on the hands teams. Yes Neuheisel had his quarterback on the field because like he explained after the game Tuiasosopo is the guy he wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line. The Huskies recovered the ball and won 35-28 in front of 71,886 roaring fans. The Huskies went 6-0 that year at home in front of 70,000+ every game. The Huskies had improved to 9-1(6-1) and would wait to see if Oregon State could knock off Oregon the following week if they can go to the Rose Bowl.

The Huskies like I said pounded the ball on UCLA. Freshman Rich Alexis carried the ball 21 times for 127 yards, Willie Hurst 11 for 99 and a touchdown, Tuiasosopo would rush for 69 yards on 16 carries, Cleman would run for 29 yards on six carries and Conniff would add 27 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns. When it was all said and done the Huskies ran the ball 64 times for 349 yards. They simply played old school Husky football and remember Neuheisel was the coach despite what some people will tell you. Tuiasosopo passing was 12 for 19 for 111 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

After the game we turned on the radio to hear the Sonics had gotton destroyed. My grandpa said they need to fire Paul Westphal and they did the following week for Nate McMillan. It was a fun game as the Huskies won on Senior night and I got to enjoy it with most of my family. My cousin(uncles daughter) even made it on the big screen which made me so jealous as I was literally sitting two or three people from her. This would also be the last game my grandpa would see in person of the Huskies. Due to his health he couldn't make it to any more games at Husky Stadium. He would pass away in 2004 but this is a memory I'm glad I got to share with him forever. My uncle also passed away in 2008 who was at that game and this game has even more meaning to me looking back.

All in all those were the days. Back when my family would all gather around during Husky football season expecting to win and witnessing victories. Back when we would talk Rose Bowls and not be dreaming. Those days I realize are gone as some of my family members have moved on and Husky football is a shell of what it used to be. I'm afraid my future childrens generation will miss out on the Husky football I grew up on which was Rose Bowl or bust. I sure hope not. If that is the case I'll have to educate them and talk about this game which involved so many family members of mine.

Is Rick Neuheisel really to blame for the downfall of Husky football?

By Kshell

When the Washington Huskies(3-6,2-4) host the UCLA Bruins(4-5,2-4) next week on Thursday November 18th plenty of talk will be centered on UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel. That game will be played on ESPN and will also be senior night for the Huskies who are still trying to reach a bowl game. If the Huskies win the final three games of the year they will go to their very first bowl game since 2002 when Rick Neuheisel last coached the Huskies. Many Husky fans and media blame Neuheisel for the downfall of the Husky football program. In this upcoming blog post I'll talk about the stuff that Neuheisel did wrong but I'll show you guys that blaming Rick Neuheisel for the downfall of the Husky program is not only silly but simply false.

When UCLA plays at Husky Stadium next week you'll see plenty of signs about bets or other signs ragging on Neuheisel. If you are 15 years and younger if you just listen to what people told you Rick Neuheisel is the reason why the Huskies have lost six consectutive seasons. In fact this will be the eighth year in a row the Huskies won't have a winning season in the regular season. When Washington fired Nueheisel it was a shocking move that the Huskies still haven't recovered from. That is where things can easily be confused people tie in results and made an opinion based off that. The fact the Huskies fell apart after Neuheisel's firing wasn't all his fault like the media and most fans want you to believe. Before I dive into what happened I'll flash back to when Husky fans were ready to give Neuheisel a statue.

After the Huskies finished an unacceptable 6-6 season in 1998 Barbara Hedges decided to fire long time coach Jim Lambright. With the Seahawks set to make the big news in sports that weekend hiring Mike Holmgren away from the Green Bay Packers Hedges knew she has to make a big move. In an unexpected move Rick Neuheisel had left Colorado Buffaloes to come to Washington. It also helped the Huskies made him the third highest paid coach in the nation behind Bobby Bowden of Florida State and Steve Spurrier of Florida. Neuheisel was just 38 years old at the time but had already built up a 33-14(.702%) record and 19-12(.613%) in the Big 12 while going 3-0 in bowl games. Neuheisel was young and cocky and was known as "Slick Rick" since he was always bending the rules. He also had some baggage from Colorado besides all his rule bending he was only 13-10(.562%) and 7-9(.437%) in conference. Even with the red flags Hedges ignored Don James advice to hire Gary Pinkel from little known Toledo University.

The career of Rick Neuheisel got off to a rough start after losing to BYU in the opener down in Provo the Huskies were then destroyed by Air Force at home. Marques Tuiasosopo was struggling as a drop back quarterback which Neuheisel had enjoyed while at Colorado he knew Tuiasosopo was a great athlete so Neuheisel decided to adjust his offense after Tuiasosopo. The Huskies became an option team with Tuiasosopo and were 0-2 facing off with the Colorado Buffaloes the team Neuheisel had coached his previous four seasons. The Huskies defeated Colorado and took off from there. At one point the Huskies after Tuiasosopo became the first and only player in NCAA history to pass for 300 yards and rush for 200 yards against Stanford the Huskies controlled their destiny for a Rose Bowl. The Huskies would lose to UCLA in overtime in 1999 finishing in second place in the Pac-10 going 7-5 but 6-2 in conference. The Huskies were also 3-0 against the Northwest teams in Neuheisels first year. That would set up a magical season that for whatever reason is forgotton amongst Husky fans.



The 2000 season had plenty of hope and hype heading into the season under second year man Rick Neuheisel who had Marques Tuiasosopo returning as quarterback. Neuheisel continued the option the attack and fed off the big offensive lineman that previous head coach Jim Lambright had recruited. After destroying Idaho the Huskies took on powerhouse the Miami Hurricanes. The Huskies led by Tuiasosopo beat the Hurricanes 34-29 and led 27-9 at one point. The Huskies upset the 4th ranked Hurricanes in a huge win at Husky Stadium that showed the rest of the nation Husky football was back. Not that Husky football was terrible under Jim Lambright but the Huskies hadn't been to a Rosebowl in seven seasons and at Washington that was unacceptable. The Huskies continued to roll under Neuheisel and the option attack finding ways to win in the fourth quarter.

The Huskies would defeat the Purdue Boilermakers in the Rose Bowl who had Drew Brees 34-24. Marques Tuiasosopo was the Rose Bowl game MVP. The Huskies controlled the game in the fourth quarter with their big offensive line dominating the line of scrimmage and eating up the clock. Drew Brees can't score if he doesn't have the ball. After the game Neuheisel gave a speech to the crowd which in Los Angeles figured to be tons of big time recruits. Well that speech worked as the Huskies brought in the third ranked recruiting class including top receiver in the nation from Lakes High School Reggie Williams, third receiver in the nation from Florida Charles Frederick and then a four star quarterback from Illinois in Casey Paus who was the younger brother of starting quarterback Corey Paus of UCLA. Things were looking great for Washington as they made the most money they have ever made in their history that season. The Huskies finished the year 11-1, ranked third in the nation and Neuheisel was looking like he was going to go on a Don James like run. Little did anyone know the Huskies would play in just two more bowl games after that.

In the 2001 the Huskies graduated a lot of players and there was a transition. The Jim Lambright players were mostly gone and Neuheisel was bringing in his guys that fits his style. The Huskies were no longer a running team who featured the option. In fact with sophomore Quarterback Cody Pickett from Caldwell, Idaho the Huskies featured passing with freshman phenom Reggie Williams. In the opener against #11 Michigan in front of 74,000 fans at Husky Stadium the Huskies had found themselves trailing 12-6 with Michigan attempting a field goal the field goal was blocked by Omare Lowe which Rock Alexander scooped up for a touchdown. Then on the second play of Michigan's next series Omare Lowe intercepted a pass for a touchdown. The place was shaking and the Huskies once again under Neuheisel pulled off another fourth quarter miracle. The Huskies had won that game 23-18. The Huskies continued to roll this season.

The Huskies started the 2001 season off 7-1(5-1 in conference) and ranked eighth in the nation. It had appeared Washington was truly back because in a "rebuilding" season they were ranked in the top 10 as late as November 10th. Then the Huskies got destroyed 49-24 to Oregon State which was the first time since 1985 the Beavers had defeated the Huskies. The following week the Huskies did upset #9 Washington State 26-14 at Husky Stadium behind over 300 yards passing from Cody Pickett and close to 200 yards receiving from Reggie Williams. The following week on primetime national tv on ABC the 12th ranked Huskies lost 65-7 to eventual National Champion Miami Hurricanes. That is when the honeymoon for Rick Nueheisel had officially ended. The Huskies closed the season out losing their third game in four games by allowing over 40 points in all three losses losing to Texas 47-43 despite the Huskies at time having a 36-17 lead. The Huskies finished the year 8-4(6-2 in conference, second place) and ranked 19th in the country. The ending to the season left a sour taste in the mouths. Husky football is about good line play, tough good defense and running the football. The 2001 didn't have that at all and 2002 was even worse despite high expectations.

The Washington Huskies were picked to finish second in the conference in the 2002 season and began the year ranked 11th in the nation. Then the first game of the year against Michigan really got the fans to turn against Neuheisal. The Huskies to #13 Michigan 31-29 on a last second field goal which was set up because of 12 men on the field penalty. The Huskies under Neuheisel weren't a very disciplined team at all under Neuheisel and after a timeout there was 12 men on the field. The Husky fans were outraged and rightfully so, I remember listening to the end on the way to my football scrimmage and was just disgusted. It had felt like the season was over because there was some talk of a possible National Championship. After winning the next three games the Huskies would lose to California at home 34-27. The same California who was 1-10 the year before, the same California who hadn't beaten Washington since 1976. Two long winning streaks that spanned decades had now ended on Nueheisal's watch. The Huskies instead of competed for a Rosebowl were instead 4-5 and just 1-4 in Pac-10 play. The crowd was booing Neuheisel after a 34-24 loss to UCLA at home the Huskies were averaging less than 70 yards rushing a game on the year. The season then changed in the following weeks.




The Huskies had to end the season with their three Northwest rivals and Rick Neuheisel coined the term "Northwest Championship". The Huskies defeated Oregon State on senior night 41-29 and like another legendary Husky coach nobody knew at the time that would be his last game coaching the Huskies in Husky Stadium(Don James was the other in 1992). The Huskies then defeated #23 Oregon down in Autzen 42-14. In another example of Nueheisel changing the culture of Husky football the team acted classless. Under Don James and Jim Lambright the team had class and earned respect. Under Neuheisel you heard such brashness like "scoreboard baby" and when asked why he let the team dance on "O" at midfield he shrugged his shoulders and explained it was a tough year. He was rationalizing Washington's classless behavior. The following week the Huskies upset third ranked Washington State Cougars in triple overtime 29-26. The game ended in controversy and the Huskies stormed the field on the road which cause mass chaos with beer bottles flying on the field. Again this wouldn't have happened under previous coaches. At the end of the day Neuheisel job was to win and he finished the year 7-5 and 4-4 in Pac-10 play. The team was passing to much as Cody Pickett set a Pac-10 record for throwing for over 4,000 yards in the season, Reggie Williams was an all-american as a sophomore. In the bowl game the Huskies lost to Purdue 34-24 after being up 17-0. The Huskies finished the year unranked and just 7-6 which at Washington was unacceptable.




Then the offseason happened and this would change Husky football forever. Had Neuheisal pulled the same stunts following the 2000 season good chance the administration backs him 100% and looks the other way. Instead they were tired of how Neuheisel turned the Huskies into an embrassment. Under Neuheisel's watch several players were getting arrested in the offseason mainly Jerramy Stevens and Neuheisal sat by and did nothing. After an attempted rape and the following offseason a drunken hit and run by Stevens all that happened to Stevens was he was suspended....just for a first half. Neuheisal had got away from recruiting offensive lineman and focused mainly on skill players such as wide receivers. In his last recruiting class he signed just three offensive lineman while signing seven wide receivers. The program was defianetly changing under his watch and then Neuheisel was in even more trouble. The 49ers head coaching job had opened up and without asking permission Neuheisal went down to interview for the job which eventually went to Dennis Erickson. The university wasn't happy with Neuheisal going behind their backs on that interview given how they had just extended his contract despite the tough season. After that had blown over Neuheisel found himself in some hot water.

In late May I remember walking the halls at school and someone told me you hear about Neuheisel? I'm like what he do now? Well apparently he was busted for betting in an NCAA gambling bracket pool which everyone who has a pulse and money does in the country. He had correctly picked Maryland to win the tournament in 2002 and Syracuse in 2003 and won the bracket pool. It was amongst close friends including former Sonics center Jack Sikma. Neuheisel was in hot water and like Hedges had done with every other head coach of the football program she let him out there. She let Don James take the fall in 1993 and fired Lambright to save her own job in 1998. When the dust had settled the NCAA found Neuheisel guilty by NCAA rules against gambling but didn't sanction him because Dana Richardson the complience officer at Washington had sent him a memo saying it was okay.




The Huskies in June of 2003 despite having a potentially good team pressed the panic button and fired Rick Neuheisel. Neuheisel sued the school and the NCAA for wrongful termination of his contract. He was awarded 4.5 million dollars and coached at Rainier Beach High School in 2003 and 2004. The Huskies by firing Neuheisel in June couldn't find an effective college head coach so they promoted from within to Keith Gilbertson. The Huskies were picked to finish second in the Pac-10 in 2003 but would go just 6-6 and have some embarassing losses like to Nevada at home 28-17 and losing to California 54-7 while allowing over 700 yards in offense. The Huskies did close the season out with another upset win over #8 Washington State 27-19.

The Neuheisal players didn't take kindly to Gilberton's new discipline approach as Gilby was old school. Reggie Williams who was an All-American the year before was suspended a half for just being five minutes late to a meeting. The Huskies struggled as Gilbertson tried to feature the run and the personal was set up for the pass. What would happened next would be at total disaster of a season that Husky fans didn't think possible the Huskies would go 1-10 in 2004 with Neuheisel's recruits. His quarterback recruits of Stanback and Paus appeared to both be busts. Gilbertson was fired midseason but was kept on to finish out his contract. The Huskies then hired recently fired Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham. Willingham was the exact opposite of Neuheisel.

While Neuheisel ran a loose program that saw players breaking the law and was energetic, Willingham was the exact opposite he believed in discipline and wouldn't put athletics above being a good person while also showing zero personality. The Huskies then following up the miserable 2004 season by going 2-9 in 2005. That meant the third ranked recruiting class in 2001 went 3-19 in two seasons which shows recruiting rankings don't mean much. After that year again Neuheisel was to be blamed because once again those were his players. You kept hearing fans preach how once Willingham gets his guys in and how he inherited the mess that Neueheisel created the Huskies would be back on top again. In 2006 the Huskies started off 4-1 but lost six games in a row before beating Washington State to finish 5-7. Once again those were Neuheisel's players so he was blamed. In 2007 after starting off 2-0 the Huskies finished the year 4-9 and guess who was blamed for the losing season? Neuheisel was of course. The Seattle Times then ran a war of the Roses documentry detailing the arrests of the 2000 Rose Bowl championship team showing just how much Willingham had to overcome and how he has changed the culture at Washington. Instead of placing the blame on the coach who had three straight losing seasons the fans and media instead blamed a guy who hadn't coached at Washington in five seasons.

The Huskies gave Willingham a fourth year and they went 0-12 once Jake Locker went down. Rick Neuheisel returned to Husky Stadium to defeat them 27-7 on Senior night which saw the last Neuheisel player graduate in Juan Garcia. The Huskies are still losing going 5-7 in 2009 under another new head coach Steve Sarkisian and this year the Huskies are just 3-6 under Sarkisian. Now the new guy to blame is Willingham but you still hear blame of Rick Neuheisel despite him not coaching at Washington in eight years now. Recently the Huskies offensive line coach cites Neuheisel not recruiting any offensive lineman back in 2003 as why the team has struggled. Neuheisel wasn't reruiting enough and set the program backwards is the preceived notion and excuse for all of Willinghams first three years. Much like fans were blaming Don James quitting two weeks before the 1993 seasons for why the Huskies were failing in 2004. People tend to look for easy answers on why the Huskies are struggling even if it means stretching the truth.

Now I've told you everything that you already knew about why Neuheisel receives the bulk of the blame but I'll point out why the administration not Neuheisel is to be blamed for the Huskies seven year struggles. First of all I'll bring up the obvious points about Neuheisel that people forget which is he won and he beat the Northwest rivals. While at Washington Neuheisal was 33-16(.673%) while going 23-9(.718%) in Pac-10 play. Neuheisel was also 3-1 against the Oregon State Beavers, 2-1 against the Oregon Ducks and 4-0 against the Washington State Cougars which put him at 9-2(.818%) for his career against Northwest schools. Since Neuheisel's departure the Huskies have gone 26-66(.282%) and in Pac-10 play the Huskies are 16-50(.242%) so despite the myth of the toughest schedule in the nation the Huskies just aren't beating their conference opponents. Against the Northwest schools the Huskies are 6-17(.260%) since Neuheisel was replaced. Now Neuheisel receives the blame for the school going way downhill but nothing in his coaching track record has shown he would go that far downhill.

Now Neuheisel wasn't having the program going in the right direction after starting off his Washington career 25-7(.781%) and in Pac-10 play he was 18-4(.818%) but finished his Washington career going 8-9(.470%) while going 5-5(.500%) in Pac-10 play. What people never bring up is the fact Neuheisel had recognized the team needed a tougher defense and brought in defensive coordinator Phil Snow to change the defense. Another thing that isn't brought up is that Neuheisel kept talking about going back to the option so good chance Paus never starts or see the field in 2004 instead going with Isiah Stanback and becoming strictly an option team. As for recruiting what is often forgotten about Neuheisel is in his last year in 2002 since his job appeared to be safe he redshirted 22 of 23 freshman. The only true freshman who played was Nate Robinson who he knew was going to eventually play basketball anyways. So in 2006 the Huskies had 22 fifth year seniors. In 2003 the famous "bad" class that he brought in also had several seniors on that 2007 team most of which were starters. Who is to say that Neuheisel who was a good gameday coach would have let the program slip as far as it did.

That appears to be the theme at Washington amongst the fans and media is always blame the previous guy. Throughout the Jim Lambright years you kept hearing probation and sanctions as to why Washington couldn't make a Rose Bowl. Those are some of the problems but that didn't tell the story as the 1994-1997 teams were probably just as talented as any Husky team Don James ever coached besides the 1991 team obviously. The Huskies whether it was the players or coaches just couldn't get that final win to secure a Rose Bowl berth. People often say probation and sanctions killed the program. That simply isn't true now did it hurt the program? Yep sure did. It allowed the other schools mainly Oregon to catch up and the Huskies after going to the Rose Bowl six times from 1977-1992 have been there just once. In the 11 seasons though from 1993-2003 the Huskies went 83-47-1(.633%) and in Pac-10 play the Huskies went 58-29-1(.659%). As you can see the Huskies were still winning close to two-thirds of their games for a solid decade after the probation was struck and most importantly to the school still selling out the 72,000 seat Husky Stadium. Yet you always hear that myth how probation killed the program but what sent the program going downhill was Hedges and the administration.

That is why it is dangerous to blame Neuheisel and to a lesser extent Tyrone Willingham. Throughout the Willingham years fans blamed Neuheisel despite the fact that he won over two-thirds of his games, beat the Ducks, never lost to the Cougars and most importantly brought home a Rose Bowl Championship trophy. Say what you will about Neuheisel but ever since James left the Huskies Neuheisel was the best game day coach around. He pulled off some big wins at Washington beating #4 Miami in 2000, beating #11 Michigan in 2001 and beating #3 Washington State on the road in 2002. Would have the program went to a Rose Bowl again under Neuheisel? Possible but no guarantees. Would the program struggle to win one-fourth of their games under Neuheisel? No way possible he would have found a way to coach up his players. His defenses might have still be terrible but the offense would have still continued to put up points.

At the end of the day Neuheisel had his flaws but the administration for hitting the panic button and compounding that mistake by constant other mistakes is why Husky football is in the spot it is in today. If the University instead of jumping the gun really wanted to get rid of Neuheisel and save themselves money should have waited. Simply let Neuheisel finish out the season in 2003 and who knows maybe Pickett doesn't fall apart. The Huskies might have finished better than 6-6 but even if they did the Huskies could have fired Neuheisel in the offseason. They avoid the legal lawsuits and all bad publicity that follows. Most importantly it allows the Huskies to land on their feet and hire a top tier coach because although struggling by their standards this was still a program three years removed from being ranked third in the nation while winning two-thirds of their games. Tons of top tier head coaches would have came to Washington in that scenario. Instead they fired him in June left the program with a guy who had already failed as a head coach.

The Huskies then replaced Athletic Director Barbara Hedges with Todd Turner who came from Vanderbelt. Vanderbelt not known for its football credentials at all made the Turner hire a bit perplexing. Turner came from Vanderbelt where academics and the lesser sports ruled and he wanted to get as far away from Neuheisel as he possibly can. Turner hired a coach just like him in Willingham. Everyone knows how that turns out as I already described that but the guy who got a free pass in this whole thing was president Mark Emmert. Emmert took over in 2004 and while other sports did improve the cash cow which was the football program suffered. Instead of getting over 70,000 fans every game regardless of the opponent the Huskies very rarely attract that many fans today. You'll hear more blame cast towards Neuheisel than you will Emmert.




Remember guys Emmert was the one who allowed Tyrone Willingham to coach his fourth season. The fans and media were to busy blaming Neuheisel instead of focusing on Willingham and Emmert. Emmert then hired Scott Woodward to become the Athletic Director before the 2008 season. Woodward had no qualifictations to be an Athletic Director and his claim to fame was he used to work with Emmert at LSU and followed him to Washington. The Huskies are also having problems funding money for the renovation project. After Willingham was fired Emmert who hired Willingham, gave Willingham his fourth year and then hired unknown Woodward were set to make a coaching hire. They brought in Steve Sarkisian who also had no head coaching experience at the time. Now you are hearing the same cries during the Willingham years only the names have changed. Instead of Neuheisel left a mess, recruited no lineman and left that coach with no talent it is Willingham who did all that. You know the same Willingham who every columnist kept proclaiming was doing such a great job rebuilding this program that if you fired him after year three that would lose everything that he had accomplished through recruiting.

Now back to my original point about blaming Neuheisel. Rick Neuheisel hasn't coached this program in eight years and the program hasn't reached a bowl game since he was fired. How can a coach who won a Rosebowl, beat his rivals and win games be so hated? because the media and University needs a scapegoat. It's easier to blame the guy who no longer works there anymore. I'm not saying Rick Neuheisel isn't without blame but to continue to blame this whole losing streak on him is crazy.

This Thursday when UCLA takes the field it is okay to boo the team as they are the opponent that day but please fans keep it tasteful when it comes to Rick Neuheisel. If you want to boo Neuheisel because he is the UCLA head coach then go for it. If you are booing him because you feel he is the reason Washington football went downhill think again. It's not Rick Neuheisel's fault that the team fired him so late in the offseason that the NCAA determined Washington was at fault for. It is not Rick Neuheisel's fault the Huskies followed him up with two bad coaches and a third one who is unproven to date. If you want to blame someone for the Huskies football problems stop blaming Neuheisel and probation and blame the administration. Also don't forget as your booing Neuheisel he did win a Rose Bowl for the Huskies. Should make for a fun Thursday game when Neuheisel runs out of the tunnel of Husky Stadium. Just remember don't be blaming him for the Huskies football program declining.