Analysis: Instant impressions from UW’s 28-21 highway win over Cal

Never a doubt, proper?

The Huskies eeked by Cal, 28-21, in a sport that had all of the trapping of a #Pac12AfterDarkish particular, together with an F-bomb by Marshawn Lynch on nationwide TV!

After the groups mixed for six complete factors within the first half, the sport reworked right into a shootout and undoubtedly examined the nerves (and fingernail fortitude) of Husky followers.

But in the long run, the Huskies left Berkeley with their first highway win of the season, bowl eligibility of their again pocket and a bye week to recharge.

Here are three impressions from UW’s win over Cal.

Penix continues to shine

Michael Penix Jr. continues to make soccer look simple. While the Huskies leaned closely on their speeding assault (32 rushes for 102 yards and a TD), when UW wanted a play, they turned to Penix and his golden left arm to make it occur.

That was on show particularly within the second half, because the Huskies began to let it fly. After Cal had utilized stress with two fast scores to even the sport at 14, Penix went to work. He floated a go over a linebacker for 17 yards into the arms of Jalen McMillan, rifled a bullet for 17 extra to Giles Jackson in a decent window, then hit McMillan once more for a 13-yard landing strike down the sideline. While the sport was removed from over, McMillan waved goodnight to the gang. Perhaps he knew there could be no overcoming the dialed-in QB (although Cal virtually made him pay for the gesture).

Penix completed the night time with 374 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 71% completions. He additionally continued his historic passing season, turning into the primary Husky to go for 300 or extra yards in eight consecutive video games, surpassing Cody Pickett’s earlier document of seven video games.

The dude positive can sling it.

Missed alternatives

UW dominated Cal in virtually each statistical class however the scoreboard within the first half. The Huskies couldn’t end any of their first three drives, regardless of shifting the ball with ease. UW outgained Cal 245 to 83 within the first half, whereas gaining 14 first downs to Cal’s 5 and working practically twice as many performs (47 to 24). Cal was compelled to punt on every of its first-half possessions, whereas UW punted simply as soon as. And but, UW went into the break with a mere 6-0 lead.

The half was marred by missed alternatives that permit the house staff stick round. Four drops — together with three by working again Wayne Taulapapa — an enormous offensive pass-interference penalty on Cameron Davis and a uncommon missed 34-yard discipline aim by Peyton Henry saved UW from constructing a much bigger benefit. 

Cal inevitably capitalized rapidly within the second half, rattling off a 70-yard landing drive to take the lead. It seemingly served as a wake-up name to the Huskies, who snatched management proper again with a landing of their very own and finally held on for the win.

Still, the Huskies can’t afford to depart factors on the board in opposition to Pac-12 groups.

Defensive struggles proceed

UW’s protection has — to place it mildly — been underwhelming this season. On Saturday night time, the Huskies appeared hungry to beat up on an equally underwhelming Cal offense. And they began the sport doing simply that, holding the Bears to a meager 83 yards and 0 factors within the first half. 

But the roles reversed after halftime, and Cal discovered its rhythm in opposition to UW’s shoddy secondary. QB Jack Plummer led Cal to 145 yards and two touchdowns, together with a 48-yard bomb to J.Michael Sturdivant, who blew previous UW nook Jordan Perryman for the rating. 

It wasn’t all unhealthy, although. The Huskies did provide you with 5 key sacks, together with a well timed sack by Zion Tupuala-Fetui that doused a possible game-time drive. Bralen Trice additionally had an enormous night time, with a pair of sacks and a couple of.5 tackles for loss.

And whereas the UW protection did simply sufficient to keep away from a crushing highway loss, the Huskies didn’t power any turnovers and allowed Cal to hold round in a sport that ought to’ve been simpler than it ended up being.