The 1991 team was arguably the finest team in school history and split the
national championship with the
Miami Hurricanes, who were also 12–0, and won the
AP Poll by four votes, while Washington took the coaches' poll by nine.[1] Washington could not have played Miami in a bowl game because the
Pac-10 champion was bound by contract to play in the
Rose Bowl against the
Big Ten champion. The Huskies soundly defeated fourth-ranked
Michigan 34–14 in the
Rose Bowl; the final score differential was narrowed by a late touchdown by
Tyrone Wheatley of Michigan. With a minute remaining in the game, Washington was on the Michigan five-yard line, but opted to stay on the ground and run out the clock with third-string quarterback
Damon Huard leading the offense.[2]
A fantasy article in Sports Illustrated titled "The Dream Game" had the Huskies narrowly defeat Miami in a playoff.[3]
Overview
The Huskies were ranked fourth in the 1991 pre-season. They dominated their six home games within the confines of
Husky Stadium, which included two lopsided shutouts. The Dawgs' three closest games in 1991 were on the road: against
Nebraska,
California, and
USC.
Behind 14–6 at halftime in
Lincoln on
ABC to no. 9
Nebraska in the second game of the season, UW rallied to outscore NU in Lincoln 30–7 in the second half to win by 15, and were graciously applauded at game-end by the
Cornhusker fans.[4] In mid-October, the no. 7
Cal Bears were the next-best team in the Pac-10 in 1991; the Huskies won by a touchdown in
Berkeley to go to 6–0. In November in
Los Angeles, the Huskies entered the game against USC undefeated at 8–0 and won a 14–3 defensive struggle, a second-straight victory over the previously dominant Trojans.
Like the rest of the Pac-10 in
1991, the Huskies played just eight Pac-10 conference games, missing one opponent; they did not play
UCLA in 1991 or
1992. The
1991 Bruins finished at 9–3 (6–2 in conference), in the top twenty in both polls (no. 18 and no. 19). UCLA lost to
Tennessee of the
SEC and both
Bay Area teams,
Cal and
Stanford, but won their
bowl game.
Washington's forced five turnovers and scored four touchdowns on the ground in a 42–7 season opening victory at Stanford. Cornerback Walter Bailey had an interception and a fumble recovery, while running back Jay Barry ran for two scores.
Billy Joe Hobert, making his first career start, completed 21 of 31 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
The 1991 team was arguably the finest team in school history and split the
national championship with the
Miami Hurricanes, who were also 12–0, and won the
AP Poll by four votes, while Washington took the coaches' poll by nine.[1] Washington could not have played Miami in a bowl game because the
Pac-10 champion was bound by contract to play in the
Rose Bowl against the
Big Ten champion. The Huskies soundly defeated fourth-ranked
Michigan 34–14 in the
Rose Bowl; the final score differential was narrowed by a late touchdown by
Tyrone Wheatley of Michigan. With a minute remaining in the game, Washington was on the Michigan five-yard line, but opted to stay on the ground and run out the clock with third-string quarterback
Damon Huard leading the offense.[2]
A fantasy article in Sports Illustrated titled "The Dream Game" had the Huskies narrowly defeat Miami in a playoff.[3]
Overview
The Huskies were ranked fourth in the 1991 pre-season. They dominated their six home games within the confines of
Husky Stadium, which included two lopsided shutouts. The Dawgs' three closest games in 1991 were on the road: against
Nebraska,
California, and
USC.
Behind 14–6 at halftime in
Lincoln on
ABC to no. 9
Nebraska in the second game of the season, UW rallied to outscore NU in Lincoln 30–7 in the second half to win by 15, and were graciously applauded at game-end by the
Cornhusker fans.[4] In mid-October, the no. 7
Cal Bears were the next-best team in the Pac-10 in 1991; the Huskies won by a touchdown in
Berkeley to go to 6–0. In November in
Los Angeles, the Huskies entered the game against USC undefeated at 8–0 and won a 14–3 defensive struggle, a second-straight victory over the previously dominant Trojans.
Like the rest of the Pac-10 in
1991, the Huskies played just eight Pac-10 conference games, missing one opponent; they did not play
UCLA in 1991 or
1992. The
1991 Bruins finished at 9–3 (6–2 in conference), in the top twenty in both polls (no. 18 and no. 19). UCLA lost to
Tennessee of the
SEC and both
Bay Area teams,
Cal and
Stanford, but won their
bowl game.
Washington's forced five turnovers and scored four touchdowns on the ground in a 42–7 season opening victory at Stanford. Cornerback Walter Bailey had an interception and a fumble recovery, while running back Jay Barry ran for two scores.
Billy Joe Hobert, making his first career start, completed 21 of 31 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.