SEATTLE— Junior running back Ka’Deem Carey broke 100 yards for the seventh straight game on Saturday against No. 16 Washington.
Carey totaled 132 rushing yards and 49 receiving. However impressive the numbers are, the all-American running back couldn’t bring the Wildcats to a victory.
It was evident from the start that Arizona would rely on its running game rather than passing. After senior quarterback B.J. Denker and Carey each had a one-yard rush, Denker threw an interception which then resulted in a Huskies touchdown.
The Wildcats went three and out for the first five plays. But it was obvious, according to head coach Rich Rodriguez, the execution wasn’t there all day in certain areas.
A major contribution to the Wildcats’ faulty performance was the weather conditions. At kickoff, the temperature at Husky Stadium was 60 degrees Fahrenheit, winds at 16 mph and a steady downpour of rain.
The conditions worsened throughout the first half, with heavier rainfall and stronger winds. The rain had the most impact on the game, Rodriguez said.
“It was raining so hard that the ball was wet,” Rodriguez said. “I think both teams were struggling in the passing game with that.”
For Denker, this was his first time playing in these sorts of weather conditions.
“You can only so much,” Denker said. “My hand was constantly wet at the end of the day, it was pretty tough. But that’s not an excuse of how I played.”
For the offensive line however, the rain was not the reason for its poor performance.
“We just didn’t execute our plays,” senior offensive lineman Chris Putton said. “It was just not how our offense usually comes out and plays.”
Denker also said that the Huskies were pressing their outside receivers, making it difficult for him to throw.
“I had to hang in the pocket longer,” Denker said. “It was on me, just not taking what they gave me and not making the right decision on a right play.”
Denker had two interceptions on the night.
Although the Wildcats had a rough first half performance, Carey managed to score a touchdown in the last six seconds of the second quarter to keep Arizona from heading into the locker rooms scoreless.
Their second half performance improved, coincidentally, when the rain recessed. The Wildcats ran 14 plays for 95 yards that resulted in a Denker rushing touchdown.
Ultimately, the surge of energy didn’t carry through into the 4th quarter, and the Wildcats fell short to the Huskies, 31-13.
—Follow Scarlett McCourt @scarlettnoelani
