Huskies get crushed

By Don Ruiz | The News Tribune • Published October 05, 2008

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TUCSON, Ariz. – The Washington Huskies now have the longest losing streak in major college football.

The Huskies' fifth loss of the season and seventh straight dating back to last season ended 48-14 at the hands of Arizona on Saturday night at Arizona Stadium.

Earlier in the day, Army defeated Tulane. That left Washington and North Texas at 0-5 and the only Football Bowl Subdivision teams without a win yet this season. However, while North Texas lost its final game last season, Washington lost its last two.

After the game, Washington athletic director Scott Woodward was asked if he could understand how a school with Washington's history and resources could go longer between wins than any of the other 118 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

"No," he said. "It's troubling."

Neither coach Tyrone Willingham nor any of the other UW coaches and players had any better explanations for the latest loss.

"We could not get ourselves out of a hole to start," Willingham said. "We had some terrible field position. … We got behind, and it was very difficult to get out."

The game seemed to end almost before it started.

Arizona won the toss and deferred. Washington elected to receive, which meant the Huskies would spend the first quarter going into a constantly whipping wind.

Willingham said he considered the unconventional move of giving up possession in order to have his team start with the wind at its back.

But he didn't, and the decision seemed to come back to bite him.

The first six possessions were played entirely in Washington territory. And by the time the Huskies finally got across midfield, they were down 10-0. By the time the first quarter ended they were down 17-0.

Washington cut it to 17-7 early in the second quarter — with the win at their backs. But Arizona (4-1 overall, 2-0 in the Pac-10) scored the next 31 points and dominated so throughout.

"We played a complete game on offense, defense and special teams," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. "We were very efficient and balanced. Our running backs were strong. (Quarterback) Willie Tuatara was excellent."