2020 Washington Huskies football team

2020 Washington Huskies football
Pac-12 North Division champion
ConferencePac-12 Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Record3–1 (3–1 Pac-12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJohn Donovan (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorPete Kwiatkowski (7th season)
Co-defensive coordinatorIkaika Malloe (1st season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumHusky Stadium
Seasons
← 2019
2021 →
2020 Pac-12 Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
North Division
Washington x   3 – 1     3 – 1  
Oregon y$   4 – 2     4 – 3  
Stanford   4 – 2     4 – 2  
California   1 – 3     1 – 3  
Washington State   1 – 3     1 – 3  
Oregon State   2 – 5     2 – 5  
South Division
No. 21 USC xy   5 – 0     5 – 1  
Colorado   3 – 1     4 – 2  
Utah   3 – 2     3 – 2  
Arizona State   2 – 2     2 – 2  
UCLA   3 – 4     3 – 4  
Arizona   0 – 5     0 – 5  
Championship: Oregon 31, USC 24
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • Note: Due to COVID-19, the Pac-12 suspended the season on August 11, but later decided to begin play on November 6. In addition to the title game on December 18, the conference seeded all remaining teams for a game during that weekend.[1]
Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by first-year head coach Jimmy Lake. The Huskies played their home games at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington, and competed in the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference.

On August 11, 2020, the Pac-12 canceled all fall sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] On September 24, the Pac-12 announced that football teams would return to play a seven-game conference-only season beginning on November 6, with the conference championship game scheduled for December 18.[3]

The Huskies finished atop the North Division after canceling their game against Oregon, compiling a 3–1 record. On December 14, the Pac-12 announced that the Huskies would not play in the 2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, due to "neither having the minimum 53 scholarship student-athletes available for the game nor the minimum number of scholarship student-athletes at a position group" because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] On December 18, the Huskies announced that they would not pursue a bid to a bowl game.[5]

Offseason

Position key

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Offseason departures

Recruiting

Transfers

Returning starters

Preseason

Award watch lists

Pac-12 media days

The Preseason Media poll will be released prior to the start of the regular season.

Preseason All-Pac-12 teams

First team[6]

Position Player Class
First Team Offense
OL Jaxson Kirkland Jr.
First Team Defense
DB Elijah Molden Sr.

Second team

Position Player Class
Second Team Offense
TE Cade Otton Jr.
Second Team Defense
LB Ryan Bowman Sr.
Second Team Special Teams
PK Peyton Henry Jr.

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name Position Alma mater
Junior Adams Wide receivers coach Montana State (2004)
Keith Bhonapha Running backs coach Hawai'i (2003)
Terrence Brown Assistant defensive backs coach Stanford (2013)
Derham Cato Tight ends coach Dartmouth (2010)
John Donovan Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Johns Hopkins (1996)
Bob Gregory Special teams coordinator/inside linebackers coach Washington State (1987)
Will Harris Defensive backs coach USC (2009)
Scott Huff Offensive line coach Boise State (2002)
Pete Kwiatkowski Defensive coordinator/Outside linebackers coach Boise State (1990)
Ikaika Malloe Co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Washington (1997)
Tim Socha Head strength and conditioning coach Minnesota (1999)
Aaron Knotts Chief of staff Miami (OH) (1999)

Roster

2020 Washington Huskies football roster

Quarterback

  •  3 Jacob Sirmon – sophomore (6'5, 240)
  •  7 Kevin Thomson – graduate student (6'2, 200)
  •  9 Dylan Morris – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 200)
  • 10 Ethan Garbers – freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 13 Jesse Martineau – sophomore (6'1, 205)
  • 14 Jack Stewardson – freshman (6'1, 205)
  • 15 Jaden Sheffey – junior (6'1, 190)

Tailback

  •  5 Sean McGrew – senior (5'7, 175)
  •  6 Richard Newton – sophomore (6'0, 210)
  • 22 Cameron Davis – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 205)
  • 24 Kamari Pleasant – senior (6'0, 230)
  • 26 Jay'veon Sunday – freshman (5'11, 200)
  • 27 Javon Forward – freshman (6'0, 225)
  • 28 Sam Adams II – freshman (6'1, 190)
  • 34 Capassio Cherry – sophomore (5'10, 195)
  • 35 Christian Galvan – freshman (5'7, 190)
  • 46 Junior Faualo – freshman (5'11, 250)

Wide receiver

  •  4 Terrell Bynum – junior (6'1, 190)
  •  8 Marquis Spiker – sophomore (6'3, 200)
  • 11 Jalen McMillan – freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 12 Puka Nacua – sophomore (6'1, 210)
  • 16 Rome Odunze – freshman (6'3, 205)
  • 18 Austin Osborne – sophomore (6'2, 200)
  • 19 Sawyer Racanelli – freshman (6'2, 210)
  • 30 David Pritchard – sophomore (6'0, 175)
  • 38 Camden Verstrate – Redshirt freshman (5'9, 165)
  • 82 Jordan Chin – senior (6'0, 170)
  • 85 Fatu Sua-Godinet – senior (5'11, 180)
  • 88 Ty Jones – junior (6'4, 200)

Tight end

  • 37 Jack Westover – sophomore (6'3, 245)
  • 39 Zeke Pelluer – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 255)
  • 42 Carson Smith – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 250)
  • 80 Mason West – freshman (6'4, 225)
  • 81 Mark Redman – freshman (6'6, 245)
  • 83 Devin Culp – sophomore (6'3, 245)
  • 84 Jack Yary – freshman (6'6, 250)
  • 87 Cade Otton – junior (6'5, 240)
  

Offensive line

  • 50 Myles Murao – freshman (6'2, 330)
  • 51 Jaxson Kirkland – junior (6'7, 295)
  • 55 Troy Fautanu – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 315)
  • 56 Geirean Hatchett – freshman (6'4, 295)
  • 62 Noah Hellyer – sophomore (6'1, 295)
  • 64 Gaard Memmelaar – freshman (6'4, 295)
  • 65 Samuel Peacock – freshman (6'6, 270)
  • 66 Henry Bainivalu – junior (6'6, 335)
  • 67 Chase Skuza – junior (6'6, 300)
  • 68 Ulumoo Ale – sophomore (6'6, 355)
  • 69 Will Pliska – sophomore (6'5, 290)
  • 71 Nate Kalepo – Redshirt freshman (6'6, 330)
  • 72 Roger Rosengarten – freshman (6'6, 280)
  • 73 Gage Harty – sophomore (6'4, 275)
  • 74 Corey Luciano – junior (6'4, 295)
  • 75 Logan Bruce-Jones – freshman (6'2, 320)
  • 76 Luke Wattenberg – senior (6'5, 300)
  • 77 Julius Buelow – Redshirt freshman (6'8, 325)
  • 78 Matteo Mele – sophomore (6'5, 300)
  • 79 Victor Curne – sophomore (6'3, 330)

Defensive line

  • 11 Josiah Bronson – senior (6'3, 300)
  • 59 Draco Bynum – sophomore (6'4, 270)
  • 91 Tuli Letuligasenoa – sophomore (6'2, 305)
  • 92 Noa Ngalu – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 290)
  • 94 Sam Taimani – sophomore (6'2, 335)
  • 96 Jacob Bandes – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 315)
  • 97 Bradley McGannon – freshman (6'4, 270)
  • 99 Faatui Tuitele – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 305)

Long snapper

  • 89 Jaden Green – freshman (5'10, 205)

Placekicker

  • 37 Tim Horn – sophomore (6'2, 205)
  • 47 Peyton Henry – junior (5'11, 195)
  • 85 Addison Shrock – freshman (6'1, 165)

Punter

  • 32 Triston Brown – sophomore (6'1, 195)
  • 46 Race Porter – senior (6'2, 190)
  

Inside linebacker

  • 10 Miki Ah You – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 210)
  • 14 Josh Calvert – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 235)
  • 15 Daniel Heimuli – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 215)
  • 35 Ben Hines – sophomore (5'10, 225)
  • 40 Alphonzo Tuputala – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 225)
  • 41 Cooper McDonald – freshman (6'2, 235)
  • 42 Carson Bruener – freshman (6'2, 215)
  • 43 Jackson Sirmon – sophomore (6'3, 230)
  • 48 Edefuan Ulofoshio – sophomore (6'0, 230)
  • 53 M.J. Tafisi – sophomore (6'0, 230)
  • 54 Drew Fowler – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 225)
  • 56 Ruperake Fuavai – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 215)
  • 57 Anthony Ward – freshman (6'0, 215)

Outside linebacker

  • 13 Laiatu Latu – sophomore (6'4, 265)
  • 17 Sav'ell Smalls – freshman (6'2, 250)
  • 45 Bralen Trice – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 240)
  • 51 Jordan Lolohea – freshman (6'2, 270)
  • 55 Ryan Bowman – senior (6'0, 280)
  • 58 Zion Tupuola-Fetui – sophomore (6'3, 280)

Defensive back

  •  2 Kyler Gordon – sophomore (6'0, 195)
  •  3 Elijah Molden – senior (5'10, 190)
  •  5 Alex Cook – junior (6'1, 200)
  •  6 Cameron Williams – sophomore (6'0, 190)
  •  8 Keith Taylor – senior (6'3, 195)
  • 12 Jacobe Covington – freshman (6'2, 195)
  • 20 Asa Turner – sophomore (6'3, 200)
  • 21 Dominique Hampton – sophomore (6'2, 220)
  • 22 Trent McDuffie – sophomore (5'11, 195)
  • 23 Brandon McKinney – senior (6'0, 208)
  • 24 Makell Esteen – freshman (6'1, 180)
  • 25 Elijah Jackson – freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 26 Meki Pei – freshman (5'11, 175)
  • 27 James Smith – freshman (6'1, 190)
  • 29 Julius Irvin – sophomore (6'1, 185)
  • 31 Kamren Fabiculanan – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 34 Mishael Powell – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 205)
  • 36 Kasen Kinchen – freshman (5'10, 180)
  • 38 Zechariah Brown – junior (5'10, 205)
  • 39 Nick Juran – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 195)

As of November 2, 2020[7]

Depth chart

Schedule

Regular season

Washington's 2020 regular season was announced on January 16.[8] The Huskies had a game scheduled against Michigan on September 5, which was later canceled before the start of the 2020 season.[9] The Huskies canceled their other two non-conference games, scheduled against Sacramento State and Utah State, shortly thereafter due to the Pac-12 Conference's decision to play a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] The seven game Conference only schedule was announced October 3, 2020.[11]

On November 22, Washington's scheduled game at Washington State for November 27 was canceled after a COVID-19 outbreak within the Washington State program.[12] Two days later, the Pac-12 announced that Washington would instead host Utah on November 28;[13] the Utes' scheduled game at Arizona State had also been canceled after Arizona State had a COVID-19 outbreak.[14]

Original 2020 Washington Huskies schedule
Date Opponent Site
September 5 Michigan* Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA
September 12 Sacramento State* Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA
September 19 Utah State* Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA
October 3 at Oregon Autzen Stadium • Eugene, OR (rivalry)
October 10 Oregon State Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA
October 17 at Utah Rice–Eccles Stadium • Salt Lake City, UT
October 23 Arizona Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA
October 31 at California California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, CA
November 7 Stanford Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA
November 14 at USC Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, CA
November 21 Colorado Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA
November 27 at Washington State Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA (Apple Cup)
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
November 77:30 p.m.at California
ESPNNo contest [15]
November 148:00 p.m.Oregon Statedagger
FS1W 27–21294
November 215:00 p.m.Arizona
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
FOXW 44–27253
November 284:30 p.m.Utah
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
ABCW 24–21259
December 51:00 p.m.StanfordNo. 22
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
FOXL 26–31278
December 121:00 p.m.at Oregon
FOXNo contest [16]
December 185:00 p.m.at No. 15 USC
FOXNo contest [17][18][19]

Game summaries

At California

See also: 2020 California Golden Bears football team

Game canceled due to Cal not having the minimum number of scholarship players available for the game as a result of a positive football student-athlete COVID-19 cases.[15]

Washington at California – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Huskies 0 0 000
Bears 0 0 000

at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, CA

  • Date: November 7, 2020
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. PST
  • TV: ESPN
Game information
Top passers
  • Cal –
  • UW –
Top rushers
  • Cal –
  • UW –
Top receiving
  • Cal –
  • UW –

Oregon State

See also: 2020 Oregon State Beavers football team
Oregon State at Washington – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Beavers 7 14 0021
Huskies 10 14 0327

at Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA

  • Date: November 14, 2020
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C) • Light Rain • Wind @ 8 mph (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 294 (Limited in-person attendance)
  • Referee: Mike McCabe
  • TV announcers (FS1): Petros Papadakis and Alex Faust
Game information

Arizona

See also: 2020 Arizona Wildcats football team
Arizona at Washington – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 0 0 02727
Huskies 17 7 13744

at Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA

  • Date: November 21, 2020
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C) • Clear • Wind @ 8 mph (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 253 (Limited in-person attendance)
  • Referee: Francisco Villar
  • TV announcers (FOX): Joe Davis and Mark Helfrich
Game information

At Washington State

See also: 2020 Washington State Cougars football team

Game canceled due to Washington State not having the minimum number of scholarship players available for the game as a result of a positive football student-athlete COVID-19 cases.[12]

Washington at Washington State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Huskies 0 0 000
Cougars 0 0 000

at Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA

  • Date: November 27, 2020
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. PST
  • TV: ESPN
Game information
Top passers
  • WSU –
  • UW –
Top rushers
  • WSU –
  • UW –
Top receiving
  • WSU –
  • UW –

Utah

See also: 2020 Utah Utes football team

Due to Arizona State not having the minimum number of scholarship players available due to positive COVID-19 tests Utah was rescheduled to play at Washington.[20] Trailing 21–0 at halftime, Washington scored 24 unanswered points for the eventual 24–21 victory. It has been Washington's largest come-from-behind win since a 1988 game against California.[21]

Utah at Washington – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Utes 7 14 0021
Huskies 0 0 17724

at Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA

  • Date: November 28, 2020
  • Game time: 4:30 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C) • Mostly Cloudy• Wind @ 0 mph (0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 259
  • Referee: Mark Duddy
  • TV announcers (ABC): Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison, and Stormy Buonantony
Game information
Top passers
  • Utah – QB Jake Bentley: 16/23, 144 yards, 1 TD, 2 int
  • UW – QB Dylan Morris: 23/38, 272 yards, 2 TD, 3 int
Top rushers
  • Utah – RB Ty Jordan: 10 carries, 99 yards
  • UW – RB Sean McGrew: 7 carries, 38 yards
Top receiving
  • Utah – WR Bryan Thompson: 3 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
  • UW – TE Cade Otton: 8 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD

Stanford

See also: 2020 Stanford Cardinal football team
Stanford at Washington – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinal 14 10 7031
No. 22 Huskies 0 3 131026

at Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA

  • Date: December 5, 2020
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 278
  • Referee: Michael Mothershed
  • TV announcers (FOX): Joe Davis and Mark Helfrich
Game information

At Oregon

See also: 2020 Oregon Ducks football team

Game canceled due to UW not having the minimum number of scholarship players available for the game as a result of a positive football student-athlete COVID-19 cases.[16]

Washington at Oregon – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Huskies 0 0 000
Ducks 0 0 000

at Autzen Stadium • Eugene, OR

  • Date: December 12, 2020
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • TV: FOX
Game information
Top passers
  • UO –
  • UW –
Top rushers
  • UO –
  • UW –
Top receiving
  • UO –
  • UW –

Pac-12 Championship Game at USC

See also: 2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game and 2020 USC Trojans football team

Game canceled due to Washington not having the minimum number of scholarship players available for the game as a result of a positive football student-athlete COVID-19 cases. Oregon played in the championship game since they had more conference wins.[17]

Washington at USC – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Huskies 0
No. 13 Trojans 0

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, CA

  • Date: December 18, 2020
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. PST
  • TV: FOX
Game information
Top passers
  • USC –
  • UW –
Top rushers
  • USC –
  • UW –
Top receiving
  • USC –
  • UW –

Rankings

Further information: 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
APRV———RVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRV23RVRVRVRV
CoachesRV————RVRVRV———RVRV23RVRVRVRV
CFPNot released—22———Not released

Statistics

Awards and honors

Pac-12 Player of the Week

Week Player Opponent Position Ref
2 Zion Tupuola-Fetui Oregon State Defensive line [22]
3 Luke Wattenberg Arizona Offensive line [23]
Zion Tupuola-Fetui Defensive line
Dylan Morris Freshman
4 Zion Tupuola-Fetui Utah Defensive line [24]
Dylan Morris Freshman

Athlon Sports National Player of the Week

Week Player Opponent Position Ref
13 Zion Tupuola-Fetui Utah Defensive Player [25]

Players drafted into the NFL

See also: 2021 NFL draft
Round Pick Player Position NFL club
1 32 Joe Tryon-Shoyinka OLB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 41 Levi Onwuzurike DT Detroit Lions
3 100 Elijah Molden CB Tennessee Titans
5 166 Keith Taylor CB Carolina Panthers

References

  1. ^ "Pac-12 announces resumption of football, basketball & winter sports seasons". Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Pac-12 Conference postpones all sport competitions through end of calendar year". pac-12.com. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "Pac-12 announces resumption of football, basketball & winter sports seasons". pac-12.com. September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "Pac-12 statement on Washington at USC Pac-12 Football Championship Game". pac-12.com. December 14, 2020. Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  5. ^ Gustafson, Brandon (December 18, 2020). "UW Huskies won't pursue a bowl game, end 2020 season at 3-1". mynorthwest.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  6. ^ "Media selects preseason 2020 Pac-12 All-Conference Football Team". Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "Washington Huskies". Washington Huskies.
  8. ^ "Washington Football Schedule".
  9. ^ Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  10. ^ Bromberg, Nick (July 10, 2020). "Pac-12 follows Big Ten's lead and won't play non-conference games in 2020". Yahoo News. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "Pac-12 announces 2020 football schedule". Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Pac-12 statement on Washington at Washington State football game". November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  13. ^ "Pac-12 statement on Utah at Washington football game". pac-12.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  14. ^ "Pac-12 statement on Utah at Arizona State football game". pac-12.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Pac-12 Statement regarding Washington at California Football Game". Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Pac-12 statement regarding Washington at Oregon football game". Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Washington to face USC in 2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, presented by 76". pac-12.com. Pac-12 Conference. December 12, 2020. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020. In a football season that has thrown unprecedented challenges and adversity at our football teams and student-athletes, USC and Washington have performed at the highest levels and earned their places in the 2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game as the Pac-12 South and North Champions," said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott.
  18. ^ "Pac-12 statement on Washington at USC Pac-12 Football Championship Game". pac-12.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Under Pac-12 Football Championship Game policy, the team with the next best record in the North Division, Oregon, will represent the North Division against South Division Champion USC.
  19. ^ "Pac-12 releases game cancellation policy, updated tiebreakers for 2020 football season".
  20. ^ "Pac-12 statement on Utah at Washington football game". Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  21. ^ Stevens, Patrick (November 28, 2020). "College football winners and losers: Pac-12 playoff hopes disappear with Oregon's loss". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  22. ^ "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week – Week 2" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  23. ^ "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week Three" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  24. ^ "Pac-12 Football Players of the Week - Week Four" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  25. ^ "College Football Week 13 Awards" (Press release). Retrieved November 29, 2020.