Colorado vs. Washington – Game Preview – November 19, 2022 – ESPN

SEATTLE — — From the time he took the top teaching job at Washington, Kalen DeBoer was made conscious of the significance of getting one of the best of his neighbors in Oregon.

Now that he’s finished it in his first season in cost, what comes subsequent? How about protecting alive the hopes of getting a spot within the Pac-12 championship sport?

Coming off final week’s highway upset of Oregon, the Fifteenth-ranked Huskies play their residence finale Saturday in opposition to listless Colorado. Washington (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12, No. 17 CFP) nonetheless has an out of doors likelihood of incomes its method to Las Vegas for the convention title sport, however will want some assist to get there. First, the Huskies should keep away from a letdown in opposition to the Buffaloes after which get the higher of Washington State subsequent week within the Apple Cup.

“We’re changing into a reasonably full workforce and each week we’re closing the hole on what our potential is. We mentioned all alongside that everybody can beat us, too,” DeBoer mentioned. “A number of weeks again, we went on a two-game dropping streak and we’re going to be taught from these video games identical to we now have the wins as properly. We’ve acquired to be prepared. We’ve acquired lots using on the season so far as the alternatives that would current themselves. Earlier than we take into consideration the final week of the season, we’ve acquired to ensure we’re targeted on Colorado.”

The problem is evident. The Huskies simply gained on the house subject of their most-hated rival and every week from now face in-state rival Washington State on its residence subject in Pullman.

It’s an ideal recipe for a stoop. Through which case, Colorado (1-9, 1-6) may be the right opponent. The Buffaloes have misplaced 4 straight, given up at the very least 40 factors in every of these setbacks and at the moment are tasked with making an attempt to decelerate the nation’s main passer, Michael Penix Jr. coming off his magical evening in opposition to Oregon.

“From mainly the primary snap it was like Washington’s higher than Oregon on the sector that day,” Colorado interim coach Mike Sanford mentioned. “It’s a monumental activity for our soccer workforce to go in there. And we’re excited for that activity.”

RECORD SETTING

Penix may not have a greater second in faculty than his efficiency in opposition to Oregon. His 408 yards passing and two touchdowns in opposition to the Geese included a flurry of spotlight moments. Penix moved into second place on Washington’s all-time single-season passing checklist and will inch nearer to breaking a file that appeared untouchable with a giant sport in opposition to Colorado.

Penix has 3,640 yards passing on the season and desires a bit of greater than 800 yards to surpass Cody Pickett’s college file of 4,458 yards set in 2002. Pickett set the mark in 13 video games.

COMEBACK STORY

Colorado senior working again Alex Fontenot’s sport final week in opposition to USC was a brilliant spot in what’s in any other case been a depressing season for the Buffs. Fontenot rushed for a season-high 108 yards and a landing in opposition to the Trojans. It was the fourth 100-yard sport of Fontenot’s profession, however his first since Nov. 23, 2019, when he rushed for 105 yards in a win over Washington.

Fontenot has seen lots in his time in Boulder. He arrived on campus in 2017 and confirmed flashes of being a breakout star in 2019 earlier than an harm price him your entire 2020 season.

“At this level I can’t get down on myself each sport. I’d simply drive myself right into a wall doing that,” Fontenot mentioned. “I’m out right here simply having fun with the time that I’ve, to do what I like with all my brothers, as a result of I do know I most likely gained’t ever get that point again.”

SENIOR SENDOFF

Washington will honor 13 seniors earlier than kickoff — 11 scholarship gamers and two walk-ons — DeBoer mentioned. It’s been a troublesome tenure for a few of them, together with three head coaches, a truncated season as a result of pandemic and a brutal 4-8 marketing campaign.

“We’ve leaned on them a lot over the past 12 months now to offer me steerage when I’ve questions on how issues have been finished prior to now. Or how we’re doing with our angle and the little issues and areas I can clear up for the workforce that possibly not the place we would like them in sync,” DeBoer mentioned. “They’ve been open, sincere. They’ve been nice.”

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