UW Huskies send Petersen out on top with 38-7 win over Boise State
Dec 21, 2019, 8:48 PM | Updated: 9:52 pm
The UW Huskies sent coach Chris Petersen out a winner in his final game. (Getty)
(Getty)
The leadup to the Mitsubishi Las Vegas Bowl was all about Chris Petersen, the head coach of the UW Huskies, who was coaching his final game.
Jimmy Lake is much different than Chris Petersen, but will it work for UW Huskies?
The spotlight already would have been on Petersen with his resignation, but he also happened to be coaching against his old squad, the 21st-ranked Boise State Broncos, who were 12-1 heading into Saturday night. Current Boise state head coach Bryan Harsin was an assistant for Petersen during his time in Boise as well.
Petersen announced shortly after the team’s victory in the Apple Cup over Washington State that he would be retiring after the Huskies’ bowl game. Co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake will be the head coach from this point forward.
The Huskies were without two of their best players on offense, tight end Hunter Bryant and left tackle Trey Adams, but that didn’t stop Washington from having one of their best performances on offense this year.
Washington scored 38 points en route to a 38-7 victory. Two Huskies scored on the ground and three more caught touchdowns. Heck, even a running back threw a touchdown pass.
For the UW Huskies, the game arguably could not have gone better, as safety Myles Bryant recorded an interception in the first quarter that Washington quickly turned into their first touchdown of the game, a Jacob Eason pass to Andre Baccillia.
Washington dominated the rest of the half, adding a Salvon Ahmed rushing touchdown and a Payton Henry field goal in the second quarter to enter halftime up 17-0.
On Boise State’s first drive of the second half, UW cornerback Elijiah Molden picked off a Hank Bachmeier pass and returned it to the Boise 24-yard line. Freshman running back Richard Newton put the ball in the end zone just three plays later, and the UW Huskies was up 24-0.
The Broncos would find the end zone in the third quarter, but that’s all the defense would allow.
During his time at Boise, Petersen was known for drawing up trick plays on offense, especially in bowl games. He brought that out again, with Newton getting the ball in the backfield and completing a pass to Terrell Bynum for UW’s fourth touchdown of the game.
It's tricky.@iRiichh ➡️ @TDBynum #PurpleReign
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/X0YOlmU7yk
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) December 22, 2019
The scoring wouldn’t stop there, as Ahmed scored his second touchdown of the game, giving Washington a 38-7 lead they would hold for the rest of the game.
The Huskies were led by Eason, who completed 22 of 32 passes for 210 yards and one score. Newton rushed for 69 yards while scoring once on the ground as well as throwing one. Ahmed had just 20 yards, but had two rushing touchdowns.
Bynum led the team with five catches for 67 yards and a score.
For soon-to-be head coach Lake’s defense, they snagged two interceptions, recovered a fumble and held Boise to just 266 total yards on offense.
After the game, Petersen was interviewed by ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath, and was thrilled to end his career with a victory.
“It’s awesome for the program, the seniors, for Jimmy heading forward,” Petersen said. “It’s awesome.”
As mentioned, the game was an interesting one for Petersen, who had friends and colleagues on both sidelines. He said they made his journey as a coach even better.
“(They are) great coaches I’ve been blessed to be a part of (in my career) and it’s been a great ride,” he said.
Asked if he had one last speech for his players after the victory, Petersen laughed.
“I think the speeches are over,” Petersen said. “It’s Jimmy’s speech now. I’m good.”
What a way to send out @CoachPeteUW.#ThankYouCP pic.twitter.com/WyPKGJHNnU
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) December 22, 2019
With the bowl win, the Huskies finish the season at 8-5. Lake now takes the reins of the UW Huskies’ program going into the 2020 season.
It may have also been the last college game for Eason, who finished his first season with Washington after playing two seasons at Georgia and sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Eason, who has one year of NCAA eligibility left, finished the season with 2,922 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. If he declares for the NFL Draft, he is considered one of the top quarterback prospects due to his size and arm strength.
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