Breaking down UW's 37-30 loss to Notre Dame

Oct 5, 2009, 12:00 AM

WHAT HAPPENED One of the more entertaining games in recent memory, Washington lost 37-30 to Notre Dame in overtime. After the Irish scored a touchdown with the first possession of the overtime period, UW quarterback Jake Locker was sacked on second down, then Husky receivers dropped two consecutive, potential first-down passes on 3rd-and-19 and 4th-and-19 to seal it. THE GOOD Chris Polk ran for 136 yards, becoming the first UW running back to rush for 100 yards in a game since Terrance Dailey last season against Oregon State. The Huskies also seemed to perfect the bend-but-don't-break defense, allowing 530 yards of total offense but limiting Notre Dame to field goals on five of its possessions. Jake Locker also took another step forward, completing 22-of-40 passes - including a bunch of critical drops - for 281 yards. Jermaine Kearse caught eight passes for 94 yards, both career highs, and Desmond Trufant looked pretty solid at cornerback. THE BAD Giving up 530 yards is pretty bad. It didn't seem like the UW defense had an answer for Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who carved them up to the tune of 422 yards and two touchdowns. And on Notre Dame's final drive of regulation, one that gave the Irish a three-point lead with 1:20 left, Clausen's job was way too easy. It took Notre Dame just five plays to go 63 yards after a UW field goal had given the Huskies a five-point lead. The Huskies also had no idea how to cover Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate, who caught nine passes for 244 yards. THE REALLY, REALLY BAD Two goal-line possessions by the Huskies that resulted in three points. Washington had four chances to score after Polk was ruled down at the 1-yard line - he had originally been ruled to have scored, but a curious replay reversal moved the ball about a yard from the goal line - late in the third quarter. They got stuffed on all four plays and Notre Dame took over. Then the Huskies moved the ball to the 1-yard line again on their next possession. And again, they got stuffed and had to settle for a field goal - except the Irish got called for roughing the snapper, and the Huskies got an automatic first down and another crack at it. And again, they failed. Washington settled for a field goal with 3:04 left, when a touchdown would have made it a two-score game. That's where they lost the game. THE CONTROVERSIAL Polk's touchdown that was called back fits here, but so does Notre Dame's two-point conversion that followed its final touchdown of regulation. Running back Robert Hughes took a direct snap up the middle and appeared to score after the pile was pushed into the end zone. Replays showed his knee looked to be down about a half-yard shy. There was no review. Erik Folk ended up tying the game on UW's next possession with a 37-yard field goal to send it to overtime. Reach Sports Editor Christian Caple at sports@dailyuw.com.

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