Saturday, September 8
Seattle, WA
2:00 PM
University of Washington
vs
North Dakota
North Dakota Comes To Montlake For 2018 Home Opener
September 03, 2018 | Football
THE GAME: The Washington football team opens the 2018 home schedule this Saturday with the Huskies' first-ever meeting against North Dakota. The Huskies (0-1) lost their season-opener, 21-16, vs. No. 9 Auburn last Saturday in Atlanta, while the Fighting Hawks (1-0) beat Mississippi Valley State, 35-7, last Thursday in Grand Forks. North Dakota, an NCAA Division I FCS program, is currently transitioning to the Missouri Valley Conference for football, where it will begin play in 2020. The Fighting Hawks are currently independent, but play a full Big Sky schedule. As the first regular-season top 25 polls won't come out until Tuesday (due to games on Monday), the Huskies enter the week still ranked No. 6 in both the AP and USA Today coaches' polls. Following this Saturday's game, the Huskies travel to Utah for the Pac-12 Conference opener Sept. 15 (7:00 p.m. PT, ESPN). The Dawgs then return to Seattle to face Arizona State (Sept. 22) and BYU (Sept. 29).
QUICK HITTERS: Washington has won 16 consecutive home, non-conference games ... last Saturday vs. Auburn, Myles Gaskin became the UW's all-time leading rusher, moving past Napoleon Kaufman, who had held the record since 1994 ... Gaskin enters the UND game vs. 4,130 yards, 10th-most in Pac-12 history ... with 79 career touchdown passes, Jake Browning is four TDs away from the Pac-12's all-time top-10 ... Browning's 9,400 career passing yards currently rank No. 2 in UW history and No. 21 in the Pac-12 ... Browning moved up six spots on the Pac-12 chart with 296 yards vs. Auburn ... for the first time since 1995, Washington did not have a true freshman play in its season opener ... only five players (none of them true freshmen) made their UW playing debut against the Tigers in Atlanta: OL Henry Bainivalu, PK Peyton Henry, OL Jaxson Kirkland (started at RG), OLB Ariel Ngata and TE Cade Otton ... Aaron Fuller's 135 receiving yards vs. Auburn were the most in a game by a Husky since John Ross had 154 vs. USC in 2016, a span of 17 games.
TELEVISION: The Washington-North Dakota game will air live to a national audience on Pac-12 Network with Ted Robinson (play-by-play), Yogi Roth (color) and Jill Savage (sidelines) providing the commentary.
RADIO: The Washington IMG College Network, with its flagship station KOMO AM-1000 and FM-97.7, will carry the live broadcast of every football game on 17 Northwest radio stations. First-year play-by-play man Tony Castricone and color analyst Damon Huard are joined by sideline reporter Elise Woodward. The UW broadcast of the game will also air on Sirius (99) and XM (197) satellite radio, and is also available via TuneIn.com and the TuneIn app.
THE DEFENSE: Over the last three years, Washington's defense has been, statistically, the best in the Pac-12 and one of the top units in the nation. The Huskies have led the Pac-12 in total defense for three years in a row, climbing the national rankings each year, capped by a No. 8 national finish last season. The UW has also paced the Pac-12 in scoring defense the last three seasons, finishing fifth in the FBS last season. Last year, the Huskies were also fourth in the nation in rushing defense and fifth in the country in turnover margin.
ONE-TWO PUNCH ON OFFENSE: In seniors Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin, the Huskies return the most prolific quarterback-running back tandem in the nation, in terms of career statistics, at the start of the 2018 season. Gaskin's 4,055 career rushing yards entering the year were most in the nation among returning FBS players, nearly 900 yards ahead of the next-closest (Appalachian State's Jalin Moore, 3,170 yards). Gaskin's 45 career rushing touchdowns were also most in the nation among FBS returners. Gaskin entered his senior season ranked 9th in Pac-12 history in rushing TDs and 11th in rushing yards. He's seeking to become the 10th FBS player ever (and first in Pac-12 history) to rush for 1,000 or more yards in four seasons. Meanwhile, Browning's 9,104 career passing yards entering the year were second-most among all FBS returners, while his 78 career TD passes (already a UW record) were tops in the country. Browning's entered the season ranked No. 12 in Pac-12 history in career TD passes (and only 11 from making the top four), while his yards total ranked No. 27 (about 1,700 yards away from the top 10).
HOME vs. NON-CONFERENCE: Washington has been very tough to beat in home, non-conference games over the last several decades. Going back to (and including) the 1981 season, the Huskies have posted a 67-13 record against non-Pac-10/Pac-12 foes in Husky Stadium. Those 13 losses have come to Nebraska (2010), LSU (2009), BYU (2008), Oklahoma (2008), Ohio State (2007), Notre Dame (2005), Fresno State (2004), Nevada (2003), Air Force (1999), Nebraska (1997), Notre Dame (1995), Colorado (1989) and Oklahoma State (1985). Notable wins wins during that stretch include victories over No. 19 Boise State last season, No. 22 Boise State in 2007, No. 11 Michigan in 2001, No. 4 Miami in 2000, and No. 12 Nebraska in 1992. Prior to the 2004 loss to Nevada, Washington hadn't lost a home game to a non-league opponent since falling to Air Force, 31-21, on September 18, 1999. The Huskies had won 10 such games before that Nevada loss. The UW is 18-2 over its last 20 home, non-league games, with a current, 16-game winning streak.
HOME OPENERS: The Huskies are 93-28-5 in home openers (whether the first game of the season or not), a percentage of .758. (Washington did not play any home games in the 1890 or 1893 seasons.) That mark includes a 28-game streak of home-opener wins that ran from 1908 to 1935. Before falling to Air Force in the 1999 home opener, Washington had won 13 straight such games since having fallen to Oklahoma State on Sept. 7, 1985. The Huskies have won their last eight home openers in a row, dating back to a loss to No. 11 LSU in the 2009 home opener.
THE PAC-12: Prior to the 2011 season, the Pac-10 Conference added Utah and Colorado to expand to the Pac-12. Washington, which along with California is one of two schools who have been in the conference since its founding in 1915, plays in the Pac-12 North, along with the other three Northwest schools (Oregon, OSU, WSU) and Stanford and California. Under current plans, each school will play all five division rivals, plus four of six teams in the other division each season. The first two seasons, the Huskies did not face UCLA or Arizona State. In 2013 and 14, the Huskies didn't face Utah or USC. In 2015 in 2016, neither UCLA nor Colorado were on the UW schedule, while the Huskies don't face USC and Arizona in 2017 or 2018.
THE 100-YARD FACTOR: Since the 1947 season, Washington is 212-66-3 (.760) when a Husky player rushes for 100 yards in a game. The Huskies were 8-0 in such games in 2016, and were 5-1 in 2017.
HISTORY LESSON: Successfully rushing the football and winning go hand-in-hand for the Huskies. Since 1990, UW has rushed for 200 yards in a game 113 times. The Huskies' record stands at 97-16-1 (.863) in those contests. Since 1995, UW is 72-13-1 (.843) when rushing for 200 yards.
HUSKY STADIUM RENOVATION: Husky Stadium underwent a major renovation over from Nov., 2011, through Aug., 2013, as the entire lower bowl and south upper deck were demolished and replaced. The new facility features a new, state-of-the-art football operations center (weight room, training room, locker room, meeting rooms, coaches' offices) in the west end, much more premium seating options and a new playing surface. Husky Stadium had featured a track up until 2011, so seats that were once far from the field, particularly in the west end, are much closer to the action. UW is 28-8 at home since the re-opening of Husky Stadium.
ALASKA AIRLINES FIELD AT HUSKY STADIUM: The Oregon game on Nov. 5, 2011, marked the final game in Husky Stadium prior to major renovations that were completed in summer, 2013. The Huskies re-opened their home field with a 38-6 win over then-No. 19 Boise State on Aug. 31, 2013. The 2018 season marks the 99th season of play in Husky Stadium. Original construction on the facility was completed in 1920 when Washington played one game in the new campus facility. UW's all-time record in Husky Stadium stands at 384-177-21 (.678).
QUICK HITTERS: Washington has won 16 consecutive home, non-conference games ... last Saturday vs. Auburn, Myles Gaskin became the UW's all-time leading rusher, moving past Napoleon Kaufman, who had held the record since 1994 ... Gaskin enters the UND game vs. 4,130 yards, 10th-most in Pac-12 history ... with 79 career touchdown passes, Jake Browning is four TDs away from the Pac-12's all-time top-10 ... Browning's 9,400 career passing yards currently rank No. 2 in UW history and No. 21 in the Pac-12 ... Browning moved up six spots on the Pac-12 chart with 296 yards vs. Auburn ... for the first time since 1995, Washington did not have a true freshman play in its season opener ... only five players (none of them true freshmen) made their UW playing debut against the Tigers in Atlanta: OL Henry Bainivalu, PK Peyton Henry, OL Jaxson Kirkland (started at RG), OLB Ariel Ngata and TE Cade Otton ... Aaron Fuller's 135 receiving yards vs. Auburn were the most in a game by a Husky since John Ross had 154 vs. USC in 2016, a span of 17 games.
TELEVISION: The Washington-North Dakota game will air live to a national audience on Pac-12 Network with Ted Robinson (play-by-play), Yogi Roth (color) and Jill Savage (sidelines) providing the commentary.
RADIO: The Washington IMG College Network, with its flagship station KOMO AM-1000 and FM-97.7, will carry the live broadcast of every football game on 17 Northwest radio stations. First-year play-by-play man Tony Castricone and color analyst Damon Huard are joined by sideline reporter Elise Woodward. The UW broadcast of the game will also air on Sirius (99) and XM (197) satellite radio, and is also available via TuneIn.com and the TuneIn app.
THE DEFENSE: Over the last three years, Washington's defense has been, statistically, the best in the Pac-12 and one of the top units in the nation. The Huskies have led the Pac-12 in total defense for three years in a row, climbing the national rankings each year, capped by a No. 8 national finish last season. The UW has also paced the Pac-12 in scoring defense the last three seasons, finishing fifth in the FBS last season. Last year, the Huskies were also fourth in the nation in rushing defense and fifth in the country in turnover margin.
ONE-TWO PUNCH ON OFFENSE: In seniors Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin, the Huskies return the most prolific quarterback-running back tandem in the nation, in terms of career statistics, at the start of the 2018 season. Gaskin's 4,055 career rushing yards entering the year were most in the nation among returning FBS players, nearly 900 yards ahead of the next-closest (Appalachian State's Jalin Moore, 3,170 yards). Gaskin's 45 career rushing touchdowns were also most in the nation among FBS returners. Gaskin entered his senior season ranked 9th in Pac-12 history in rushing TDs and 11th in rushing yards. He's seeking to become the 10th FBS player ever (and first in Pac-12 history) to rush for 1,000 or more yards in four seasons. Meanwhile, Browning's 9,104 career passing yards entering the year were second-most among all FBS returners, while his 78 career TD passes (already a UW record) were tops in the country. Browning's entered the season ranked No. 12 in Pac-12 history in career TD passes (and only 11 from making the top four), while his yards total ranked No. 27 (about 1,700 yards away from the top 10).
HOME vs. NON-CONFERENCE: Washington has been very tough to beat in home, non-conference games over the last several decades. Going back to (and including) the 1981 season, the Huskies have posted a 67-13 record against non-Pac-10/Pac-12 foes in Husky Stadium. Those 13 losses have come to Nebraska (2010), LSU (2009), BYU (2008), Oklahoma (2008), Ohio State (2007), Notre Dame (2005), Fresno State (2004), Nevada (2003), Air Force (1999), Nebraska (1997), Notre Dame (1995), Colorado (1989) and Oklahoma State (1985). Notable wins wins during that stretch include victories over No. 19 Boise State last season, No. 22 Boise State in 2007, No. 11 Michigan in 2001, No. 4 Miami in 2000, and No. 12 Nebraska in 1992. Prior to the 2004 loss to Nevada, Washington hadn't lost a home game to a non-league opponent since falling to Air Force, 31-21, on September 18, 1999. The Huskies had won 10 such games before that Nevada loss. The UW is 18-2 over its last 20 home, non-league games, with a current, 16-game winning streak.
HOME OPENERS: The Huskies are 93-28-5 in home openers (whether the first game of the season or not), a percentage of .758. (Washington did not play any home games in the 1890 or 1893 seasons.) That mark includes a 28-game streak of home-opener wins that ran from 1908 to 1935. Before falling to Air Force in the 1999 home opener, Washington had won 13 straight such games since having fallen to Oklahoma State on Sept. 7, 1985. The Huskies have won their last eight home openers in a row, dating back to a loss to No. 11 LSU in the 2009 home opener.
THE PAC-12: Prior to the 2011 season, the Pac-10 Conference added Utah and Colorado to expand to the Pac-12. Washington, which along with California is one of two schools who have been in the conference since its founding in 1915, plays in the Pac-12 North, along with the other three Northwest schools (Oregon, OSU, WSU) and Stanford and California. Under current plans, each school will play all five division rivals, plus four of six teams in the other division each season. The first two seasons, the Huskies did not face UCLA or Arizona State. In 2013 and 14, the Huskies didn't face Utah or USC. In 2015 in 2016, neither UCLA nor Colorado were on the UW schedule, while the Huskies don't face USC and Arizona in 2017 or 2018.
THE 100-YARD FACTOR: Since the 1947 season, Washington is 212-66-3 (.760) when a Husky player rushes for 100 yards in a game. The Huskies were 8-0 in such games in 2016, and were 5-1 in 2017.
HISTORY LESSON: Successfully rushing the football and winning go hand-in-hand for the Huskies. Since 1990, UW has rushed for 200 yards in a game 113 times. The Huskies' record stands at 97-16-1 (.863) in those contests. Since 1995, UW is 72-13-1 (.843) when rushing for 200 yards.
HUSKY STADIUM RENOVATION: Husky Stadium underwent a major renovation over from Nov., 2011, through Aug., 2013, as the entire lower bowl and south upper deck were demolished and replaced. The new facility features a new, state-of-the-art football operations center (weight room, training room, locker room, meeting rooms, coaches' offices) in the west end, much more premium seating options and a new playing surface. Husky Stadium had featured a track up until 2011, so seats that were once far from the field, particularly in the west end, are much closer to the action. UW is 28-8 at home since the re-opening of Husky Stadium.
ALASKA AIRLINES FIELD AT HUSKY STADIUM: The Oregon game on Nov. 5, 2011, marked the final game in Husky Stadium prior to major renovations that were completed in summer, 2013. The Huskies re-opened their home field with a 38-6 win over then-No. 19 Boise State on Aug. 31, 2013. The 2018 season marks the 99th season of play in Husky Stadium. Original construction on the facility was completed in 1920 when Washington played one game in the new campus facility. UW's all-time record in Husky Stadium stands at 384-177-21 (.678).
Players Mentioned
OL
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QB
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WR
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TB
/ Football
PK
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OL
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OLB
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TE
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