Huskies need more than a moral victory

Gail Wood | The Olympian • Published October 08, 2009

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It’s not that Washington is getting tired of close games.

After a winless season last year, the Huskies’ 37-30 overtime loss at Notre Dame was a moral victory.

But Washington needs a win Saturday against an Arizona team that’s coming off a 37-32 upset win at Oregon State. Being home brings no guarantees for the Huskies, off to a 2-3 start.

Being at home against Arizona State may not be enough for a Washington State team that started seven freshmen in last week’s 52-6 loss to Oregon. Jeff Tuell, the second true freshman to start at quarterback for WSU, was knocked out of the Oregon game with a hip pointer and is expected to play Saturday.

It will be a return to the Palouse for ASU coach Dennis Erickson, who coached at WSU and Idaho.

Arizona, 3-1, is riding on sophomore quarterback Nick Foles, who made his first state in the upset win at Oregon State.

UW’s Jake Locker leads the Pac-10 in passing yards (256.6 yards per game) and total offense (278.0). Locker will need another good game for Washington to beat an Arizona team that is led defensively by cornerback Devin Ross, who was named the Pac-10’s defensive player of the week. Ross had 12 tackles and an interception.

At last, UW fans can go to Husky Stadium and be optimistic.

Click here to view game highlights of UW and WSU.