Jake Locker Leads Washington Huskies To Upset Victory Over USC Trojans

The Washington Huskies entered their matchup against the mighty USC Trojans coming off their first positive in a long time. Last week, they scored on their first five possessions en route to a 42-23 victory over Idaho. It was their first win in sixteen games; they lost all 12 games last season. Confident for the first time since 2007, the Huskies were ready to invite the 3rd-ranked Trojans into their house and make a statement, that Washington football is back on the map.

Steve Sarkisian was hired as head coach following their winless 2008 campaign. He, it just so happens, was the mastermind behind the Trojans dynasty as their offensive coordinator, calling the plays for a flurry of talented and NFL-bound quarterbacks. So, before the battle began on the field, the Huskies had an advantage.

Despite this inside track into the Trojans offense, it was a safe bet that USC would overwhelm the home team. Leading up to the game, the question "Can Washington pull off the upset?" was posed, but analyst after analyst gave them little chance, saying something to the effect of "Quarterback Jake Locker is very capable, but Washington is no match for USC, a team that has more than one talented player."

For the first time in a long time, the Trojans quarterback is not one of those talented players. Junior Aaron Corp, taking over for the injured true freshman Matt Barkley, played behind Mark Sanchez last year and threw for a grand total of fourteen yards. He appeared in this season's opener, completing all four passes he threw. But, unlike Barkley before him, he was rusty in his first career start.

Not only was Corp woeful throwing the ball early, but he was battered by the Huskies highly motivated defense, a defense that was dead last in the Pac-10 conference last season. He was hurried continuously and quickly turned a once powerful offense into an anemic one.

Because Corp had difficulty completing passes, the Trojans relied heavily on their running game. That's wasn't necessarily a bad thing. They have three tremendous runners, Joe McKnight, Stafon Johnson, and Stanley Havili, and each punished Washington's run defense, which, unlike their passing defense, is still porous. McKnight, an immensely talented junior, finished off a superb 6-play, 80-yard opening drive with a seven-yard touchdown run.

McKnight compiled 100 yards rushing, Johnson ran for 64 yards on ten carries, and Havili added 59 more yards on the ground, part of a running attack that averaged nearly eight yards per rush and accumulated 250 yards on the day. But, despite their terrific ability to run the ball, their offense went nowhere. That's because of Corp's lack of experience and his inability to live up to the reputation past USC quarterbacks rightfully gained.

He threw for only 110 yards--the fewest output for USC under head coach Pete Carroll--and completed a mediocre 13 of 22 attempts. That put too much pressure on the Trojans run game and made their offense too limited. This was why, despite their success on the ground, that USC could only manage a field goal after McKnight's touchdown run.

Washington, only down 10-0, took advantage. Starting on their own 32-yard line with four and a half minutes remaining in the first half, Locker, at 6'3", 226, orchestrated a game-changing drive. He completed a 12-yard pass to Paul Horner, then after two rushes by running back Chris Polk that amassed four yards, wide-receiver James Johnson caught Locker's 16-yard pass to move into USC territory. After another ineffective run by Polk, Locker found Devin Aguilar for 14 yards, then Johnri Fogerson for 18 yards to set up his powerful four-yard touchdown run that put Washington on the board and within three points.

Meanwhile, Corp still couldn't find a rhythm. He was trying to do too much, and it hurt USC considerably. He threw three incompletions on a three-and-out possession, misfired on third down the next possession, then after Locker's 31-yard pass on 3rd and 17 set up a 28-yard field goal by Folk, he came up empty on another third down.

Neither team scored for the remainder of the second quarter, and neither team could muster any points in the third. So, the two teams were deadlocked at 10 entering the fourth and all-important quarter.

The Huskie defense continued to torment Corp and, though this same defense that was so lethal against the pass allowed 250 rushing yards in the game, they knuckled down to stop the run in the biggest situations. Corp completed a pass in the opening moments of the fourth, but fittingly came up one yard short of the first down. The trio of Trojan running backs ran roughshod on first and second down all game long, but their attack was non-existent on third down. So, on third and one, Johnson was stuffed at the line for no gain. USC was forced to punt.

Washington was unable to take advantage of two fumble recoveries earlier, and, when USC didn't commit turnovers, they had been unable to make the most of the Trojans mediocrity. Their fortunes changed on their next possession. The Huskies, after the punt, started at their own 38-yard line, and, behind Locker, marched down the field, set up shop at the Trojans 28-yard line, and took the lead on a 46-yard field goal by Erik Folk.

Both teams traded three-and-outs before the Trojans, clearly frustrated with Corp's ineptness, went strictly to the run. They realized that, at least on this possession, the only way they would be successful was if they took the ball out of Corps hands and put it in McKnight's and Johnson's. After a long punt return, McKnight scampered for 34 yards, fumbled the ball into the hands of teammate David Ausberry at the Washington 22-yard line. Johnson followed with an 11-yard run. USC was threatening to grab a touchdown advantage, but once again their struggles on third down continued, as Johnson failed to gain a yard on 3rd and 6. They tied the game, but settling for field goals wouldn't get the job done.

For Washington, however, it would. With the Trojans struggling mightily, they'd take any points they could in their bid for an upset. USC teams, usually used to scoring 40-50 points in their sleep, aren't used to being this paltry, and because opponents aren't used to such poor performances by the Pac-10 powerhouse, taking advantage is a must.

They did, though the ensuing possession didn't start well. Locker was sacked for a loss of twelve yards, and then, 22 yards away from a first down, Locker's pass to Polk gained only seven to set up a 3rd and 15. But Locker could care less about the yardage necessary. It could have been 22, 30, or 40 yards and he would have found a way to ultimately convert. He threw a strike to Jermaine Kearse for a 21-yard gain.

Three rush plays--two by Polk and the third by Locker--helped the Huskies convert another first down, this one far easier than the first. Then they went back to the passing game, something Washington, unlike USC, had no problem doing. Locker connected with Johnson for 9 yards, and then moved his team into field goal range by finding Kearse along the sideline for another 19 yards after scrambling frantically for space.

Locker was clocked after releasing the strike, and a roughing the passer penalty was called to give the Huskies eight more yards with which to work. After a four-yard rush by Polk took the ball to the USC four-yard line and drained the clock below ten seconds, Washington called their final timeout to prepare for a potential game-winning field goal.

Once the whistle was blown to start play, USC crowded the line, reading to ambush Folk on the snap. The Trojans were going to do everything they could to try and keep the game tied and block the kick. If they couldn't succeed, a miracle would be necessary in order to stay alive.

The snap was clean and, with multiple Trojans closing in, Folk immediately pounded the ball straight through the uprights. Washington's bench went ballistic; Locker, standing on the sideline's edge, hoisted his arms in the air in triumph.

Before Stafon Johnson could pitch the ensuing kickoff backwards, he was swarmed by the Huskies. Once he helplessly fell to the ground, Washington's bench erupted and stormed onto the field. Sarkisian pumped his fists and joined the fray, adamantly acknowledging the improbable win over his former boss.

The stands emptied, but few fans stormed the field because, well, the stands were half empty to begin with. That's how unbelievable this upset victory was; their fans thought it so improbable that thousands upon thousands failed to show. Those that did were certainly in for a treat, a treat that gave Sarkisian god-like status in Washington and added to the legend of Locker.