In the search for futility and some sort of perspective, the last version of UW football to start the season 0-5 was in 1969. With Arizona looming on the horizon in Tucson Saturday, matching an almost 40 year old low water mark does not seem improbable.
Like most fairy tales that end with a feeling of warmth and magic dust, a winless v1969 managed to knock off WSU 30-21 in the final game of the season, thus avoiding the dubious distinction of going 0 for 10. However, in the post-game shower of LSD, prayer circles, wayward activism, and Rainier, the ideals propagated amidst the peace movement are responsible for the current detriment of UW football, our empathetic military and the ineptitude of enabled consumers.
In a striking parallel to the less than auspicious start and circumstances surrounding this dismal season, v1969 played six ranked opponents, including a date at home with #1 Ohio State in a 41-14 defeat. While there exists a very good chance that 2008 may end without a single victory, it must be noted that legendary Coach Jim Owens turned things around the next year and the team won six games in 1970, including two against ranked opponents thanks to a quarterback named Sonny. Though Tyrone Willingam is not Jim Owens and Jake Locker is a hybrid of the modern game and lacks Sixkiller's nuances in the pocket, anything is possible in the world of college football.
Showing posts with label Apple Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple Cup. Show all posts
Monday, September 29, 2008
Another Harrowing Weekend from the College Gridiron
Jake Locker's thumb still screams in agony and for reform. When will the multi-talented athlete sign with a MLB franchise and enjoy a success similar to Washingtonians Grady Sizemore, Tim Lincecum, Willie Bloomquist, and Matt Tuiasosopo? A career in the bigs is the right choice considering the complete lack of emphasis on winning from the UW administration. A situation that has deteriorated to blind acceptance, much like the Tribune's hold on the Cubs.
My game score predictions could have started for the Husky defense Saturday night, as I was correct only 34 out of 53 times, or 34 to 19 in a game scoring format. 34-19 has historical significance and was actually the final score of the 1987 Apple Cup match-up. In Chris Chandler's final home game, the Dawgs were able to throttle a productive Cougar offense featuring Timm Rosenbach, secure a bowl bid and ultimately end the season with a pedestrian 7-4-1 record. How times have changed. The Don James era was nearly two years away from a complete redefinition from an x's and o's and recruitment perspective. Names such as Emtman, Bryant, Smith, Kennedy and Brunell began to appear in the school's media guide as the groundwork was set for a national championship.
I distinctively remember Demouy Williams zigzagging his way for a punt return touchdown late in the game, the stadium shaking from 74,000 voices, and the refined hate between the Huskies and Cougars spilling over to isolated skirmishes in the stands- the flashbulbs and fists continuously connecting with their targets on the blustery November afternoon.
My game score predictions could have started for the Husky defense Saturday night, as I was correct only 34 out of 53 times, or 34 to 19 in a game scoring format. 34-19 has historical significance and was actually the final score of the 1987 Apple Cup match-up. In Chris Chandler's final home game, the Dawgs were able to throttle a productive Cougar offense featuring Timm Rosenbach, secure a bowl bid and ultimately end the season with a pedestrian 7-4-1 record. How times have changed. The Don James era was nearly two years away from a complete redefinition from an x's and o's and recruitment perspective. Names such as Emtman, Bryant, Smith, Kennedy and Brunell began to appear in the school's media guide as the groundwork was set for a national championship.
I distinctively remember Demouy Williams zigzagging his way for a punt return touchdown late in the game, the stadium shaking from 74,000 voices, and the refined hate between the Huskies and Cougars spilling over to isolated skirmishes in the stands- the flashbulbs and fists continuously connecting with their targets on the blustery November afternoon.
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