(PRINTWORDS NEWS) The 57,921 attendances observed the bowl season’s first jaw-dropping upset in Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego. The unranked Washington Huskies defeated Nebraska 19-7 in the Holiday Bowl on Thursday.
It was Washington’s first postseason triumph since the Rose Bowl victory in 2001. Nebraska knocks Washington off by 35 points just three months ago. But Washington won the rematch nearly as decisively. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini was very much upset on his team. He could not suppress his anger, “It was just a ridiculous performance,” he said.
But the Huskies had motivation to revenge, to win their first Holiday Bowl in their fourth trip. The Huskies played sharper, harder, and indeed more inspired yesterday. Indeed it was an avenge to the 56-21 embarrassment on 18 th September. Huskies defenders beat Nebraska’s blockers for most of the game.
In the first, third and fourth quarter Nebraska could not score a single point. Nebraska’s consecutive penalties for delay of game, an illegal forward pass, an illegal block and two personal fouls marred their hope in the game. Washington, actually, played defensive.
Among the defense’s playmakers were linebacker Victor Aiyewa, who forced a fumble from quarterback Taylor Martinez, and tackle Alameda Ta’amu, who returned the fumble 14 yards, which led to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. In the fourth quarter’s flag and safety stretched the lead to 19-7 for the Huskies.
“It’s the best way I could have gone out.” Indeed, Huskies’ win was the culmination of brilliant strategies of their coach Steve Sarksian. “Thanks for sticking with us,” Sarksian said after the game, “We’re on our way.”
