A pair of teams from the Pac-12 clash on the gridiron looking to remain unbeaten as they square off in one of the most famous venues in college football. The #15 Washington Huskies try to continue their resurgence as they travel to face the UCLA Bruins Friday night. Washington remained unbeaten as they drubbed Stanford 40-22 at home Saturday in their most recent contest, covering as a 13.5-point favorite. UCLA cruised to an easy 45-17 road victory over a hapless Colorado squad in their most recent game on Saturday. In the all-time series between the programs, the Bruins own a 41-32-2 advantage, including a 24-17 road victory in the most recent matchup on October 16, 2021.
Washington took care of business as they clobbered Stanford to run their record to 4-0 for first-year coach Kaleb DeBoer, who had changed the culture of the program. The Huskies are 1-0 in Pac-12 action and look to maintain their momentum as they make the trip down the west coast here. Against Stanford, Washington jumped to a 17-0 lead in the second quarter and didn’t look back. After the Cardinal cut the deficit to 10 at the half, the Huskies outscored Stanford 13-0 in the third quarter to put the game away. Washington held a 478-372 edge in total offense, picked up 23 first downs while allowing 18, owned a 33:30 to 26:30 advantage in time of possession and forced three turnovers while not committing one in the contest.
This season, the Huskies are 1st in the nation in passing offense with 368.8 yards per game through the air while they are 66th in rushing offense with 162 yards per contest. Washington is 12th in the FBS in scoring offense with 44 points per game and stand 35th in scoring defense by allowing an average of 19 points per contest. Michael Penix Jr. has completed 92 of 143 passes for 1,388 yards with 12 touchdowns and one interception while adding 26 yards on the ground. Dylan Morris (four of eight, 63 yards) and Sam Huard (two of two, 24 yards) have seen limited work as well. Wayne Taulapapa leads the team on the ground with 48 carries for 307 yards and three scores this season. Cameron Davis (35 carries, 157 yards, four scores), Richard Newton (15 carries, 72 yards) and Will Nixon (16 carries, 67 yards, two TD) have had their share of work as well. In the passing game, Jalen McMillan leads the team with 21 receptions for 367 yards and three scores this season. Ja’Lynn Polk (13 grabs, 256 yards, four TD), Giles Jackson (13 catches, 175 yards) and Rome Odunza (18 catches, 293 yards, two TD) are all over th e 150-yard mark in receiving yards. Peyton Henry has hit all 21 extra points and seven of seven field goal attempts with a long of 47 this season.