2008 Washington Huskies football team explained

Sport:football
Year:2008
Team:Washington Huskies
Conference:Pacific-10 Conference
Short Conf:Pac-10
Record:0–12
Conf Record:0–9
Hc Year:4th
Off Coach:Tim Lappano
Oc Year:4th
Dc Year:1st
Def Scheme:3–4
Mvp:D'Andre Goodwin (O)
Mvp2:Mason Foster (D)
Captain:Juan Garcia (2nd year)
Captain2:Michael Gottlieb
Captain3:Johnie Kirton
Stadium:Husky Stadium

The 2008 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Tyrone Willingham, the team played its home games at Husky Stadium in Seattle. The Huskies were winless at 0–12, the worst record in the program's history.

On October 27, the Monday after a 33–7 home loss to Notre Dame, it was announced that Willingham would step down as head coach at the end of the season.[1] UW president Mark Emmert indicated the decision to fire Willingham had been made shortly after the prior week's game against Oregon State. Athletic director Scott Woodward said the announcement ended speculation of what was going to happen with Willingham, who had a year remaining on his contract.

"It became quite obvious that the performance on the football field wasn't up to what we talked about at the beginning of the season and previous to the season and it became more obvious as time went on," Woodward said in explaining his decision to make the move.[2]

Schedule

Game summaries

At No. 21 Oregon

See also: 2008 Oregon Ducks football team.

Statistics WASHORE
First downs 18 23
Total yards 242 496
Rushing yards 95 256
Passing yards 147 240
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 35:43 24:17
Team Category Player Statistics
Washington Passing 12/28, 103 yards
Rushing Jake Locker 16 rushes, 57 yards
Receiving 10 receptions, 71 yards
Oregon Passing 9/17, 126 yards, 2 TD
Rushing 15 rushes, 124 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Jeremiah Johnson 16 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD
Washington opened the season with a game versus the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. It was the first time Washington opened the season with a conference opponent since 1998, when they defeated Arizona State, 42–38 in Tempe, Arizona.[3]

Oregon crushed the Huskies, 44–10. Washington averaged a mere 2.2 rushing yards per carry, and was held scoreless in the second half.

"We just couldn't run the ball", coach Tyrone Willingham said.

The win was the 5th straight for the Ducks against the Huskies, which marks the first time Oregon has accomplished that feat since the series began in 1900.[4]

No. 15 BYU

See also: 2008 BYU Cougars football team.

Statistics BYUWASH
First downs 25 22
Total yards 475 337
Rushing yards 137 133
Passing yards 338 204
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 31:04 28:56
Team Category Player Statistics
BYU Passing 30/41, 338 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing 23 rushes, 136 yards
Receiving 10 receptions, 148 yards, TD
Washington Passing Jake Locker 17/32, 204 yards, TD
Rushing Jake Locker 18 rushes, 62 yards, 2 TD
Receiving D'Andre Goodwin 5 receptions, 83 yards
The Huskies and Cougars met for the seventh time, with #15 BYU avoiding the upset in front of 64,611 fans at Husky Stadium.

A late Washington rally fell short and the game ended in controversy. Quarterback Jake Locker scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 2 seconds remaining in the game, cutting BYU's lead to 28–27. But Locker was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the extra point attempt was moved back 15 yards. The ensuing PAT try was blocked, BYU players rushed the field, and a chorus of boos rained down from the Husky faithful.

"After scoring the touchdown, the player threw the ball into the air and we are required, by rule, to assess a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty", Referee Larry Farina said in a statement given to Washington officials. "It is a celebration rule that we are required to call. It was not a judgment call."

Cougar quarterback Max Hall had 339 yards passing and three touchdowns, including a 15-yarder to tight end Dennis Pitta with 3:31 left in the game.

Locker finished 17-for-32 passing for 204 yards and added 62 yards rushing on 18 carries.[5]

Washington safety Nate Williams had a game-high 13 tackles. He also put the hit on BYU tailback Harvey Unga that forced a touchdown-saving fumble that UW's Tripper Johnson recovered in the end zone in the 4th quarter.[6]

No. 3 Oklahoma

See also: 2008 Oklahoma Sooners football team.

Statistics OKLAWASH
First downs 28 23
Total yards 591 336
Rushing yards 274 87
Passing yards 317 249
Turnovers 0 3
Time of possession 27:56 32:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma Passing 18/21, 304 yards, 5 TD
Rushing Chris Brown 13 rushes, 107 yards
Receiving 3 receptions, 99 yards, 2 TD
Washington Passing Jake Locker 16/24, 154 yards
Rushing Jake Locker 12 rushes, 44 yards, TD
Receiving D'Andre Goodwin 9 receptions, 82 yards
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford completed 18 of 21 passes for 304 yards, matched his career high with five touchdown passes and ran for a sixth score to lead the Sooners in a rout against the overmatched Huskies, 55–14.

The Sooners scored their most points on the road against a school from a BCS conference since a 56–25 win at Texas Tech on November 22, 2003. They also handed Washington its largest margin of defeat at home since October 12, 1929, when it lost 48–0 to Southern California, a scant two weeks before the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

Washington lost three fumbles, missed two field goals and punted three times in the first half. The Huskies went into the locker room down 34–0 and didn't get on the board until Jake Locker scored on a 15-yard touchdown run with 5:37 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Oklahoma, the highest-ranked nonconference team to visit Husky Stadium since 1969, gained 591 yards of total offense on the day.[7]

Stanford

See also: 2008 Stanford Cardinal football team.

Statistics STANWASH
First downs 21 27
Total yards 466 377
Rushing yards 244 140
Passing yards 222 237
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 28:50 31:10
Team Category Player Statistics
Stanford Passing 16/24, 222 yards, 3 TD
Rushing 15 rushes, 157 yards, 2 TD
Receiving 7 receptions, 76 yards, TD
Washington Passing 13/27, 186 yards, TD
Rushing Jordan Polk 2 rushes, 30 yards
Receiving D'Andre Goodwin 5 receptions, 83 yards
The Huskies fell to 0–4 (0–2 in the Pac-10) with a 35–28 loss to Stanford, and also lost quarterback Jake Locker for the rest of the season when he broke his right thumb in the second quarter while blocking downfield.

Stanford quarterback Tavita Pritchard, formerly of Clover Park High School, completed 16 of 24 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

The Huskies' defense gave up 466 yards – and 244 of those came on the ground, despite Washington's agreement all week that its top defensive priority was stopping the run.[8]

The Huskies were trailing 14–7 when Locker was hurt, and while replacement Ronnie Fouch injected some enthusiasm with some accurate passing, the Dawgs ultimately couldn't overcome another porous performance from its defense.

Just about the time Locker emerged from the locker room in the third quarter, Stanford's Anthony Kimble ran 83 yards for a touchdown with 9:35 left in the third quarter to put Stanford ahead 28–14, and all hope seemed to be gone.

Willingham opened his postgame news conference by saying it was "very difficult for me to stand before you...I felt like we could win the football game."[9]

At Arizona

See also: 2008 Arizona Wildcats football team.

Statistics WASHARIZ
First downs 12 28
Total yards 244 449
Rushing yards 63 256
Passing yards 181 193
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 23:48 36:07
Team Category Player Statistics
Washington Passing Ronnie Fouch 12/28, 181 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Brandon Johnson 13 rushes, 35 yards
Receiving Jermaine Kearse 1 reception, 62 yards
Arizona Passing 17/21, 193 yards, 3 TD
Rushing 14 rushes, 113 yards, TD
Receiving 5 receptions, 109 yards, 3 TD
On a breezy night in the Tucson desert, Arizona wasted little time putting away the Huskies. Arizona took a 17–0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.

Facing the nation's second-ranked defense, Washington struggled behind quarterback Ronnie Fouch, a redshirt freshman making his first college start. Fouch completed 12 of 28 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown, a 20-yarder to Michael Gottlieb midway through the fourth quarter. Fouch also threw an interception.[10]

"We played a complete game on offense, defense and special teams", Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. "We were very efficient and balanced. Our running backs were strong. (quarterback) Willie Tuitama was excellent."

It was the Huskies' fifth loss of the season and seventh straight dating back to last season, giving the Dawgs the dubious distinction of having the longest losing streak in major college football.[11]

Washington athletic director Scott Woodward met with reporters after the game to say that he stands by the position he has held all along – he does not intend to fire head coach Tyrone Willingham midseason.

"I stick with what I said last week", he said. "I told you last week that I was less happy than I was the week before. Well, I'm even less happy than I was. But we have seven games, and we are going to play those seven games and no, there is not going to be a change this week. We will look at the whole body of work of the season and assess it at the end of the season."[12]

Oregon State

See also: 2008 Oregon State Beavers football team.

Statistics ORSTWASH
First downs 19 16
Total yards 421 377
Rushing yards 230 101
Passing yards 191 276
Turnovers 0 4
Time of possession 31:11 28:49
Team Category Player Statistics
Oregon State Passing 18/22, 191 yards, TD
Rushing 3 rushes, 110 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Shane Morales 4 receptions, 61 yards
Washington Passing Ronnie Fouch 17/32, 276 yards, 3 INT
Rushing Terrance Dailey 16 rushes, 102 yards, TD
Receiving D'Andre Goodwin 5 receptions, 136 yards
Oregon State's James Rodgers zipped through Washington's defense for 216 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns as the Beavers won their fifth straight over Washington for the first time in the series' history.

James' brother, Jacquizz Rodgers, did his part too: 94 yards rushing on 20 carries and a touchdown.

The Beavers ran for 230 yards and the Huskies turned the ball over four times in front of a disappointed homecoming crowd at Husky Stadium. The biggest cheers of the night were for former Husky head coach Don James and the 1977 Washington team that won the Rose Bowl when they were honored on the field after the third quarter.

The Huskies dropped their eighth straight dating back to last season, tied with North Texas for the longest losing streak in the country.

Washington took a rare lead on Jared Ballman's 45-yard field goal early in the first quarter. The Huskies had not led since the third quarter against BYU on September 6, and it was only their second lead of the entire season.

With under 3 minutes to go in the first quarter, Oregon State coach Mike Riley took a chance by going for it on fourth-and-1 at his own 43, and converted with Jacquizz Rodgers going for five yards. On the next play, the Beavers faked a dive to Jacquizz and handed instead to James Rodgers on a reverse, then watched him dash in front of the Beavers' bench for a 52-yard touchdown.

Later in the half, after Fouch was sacked and fumbled near midfield, James Rodgers struck again. Rodgers found space in the middle of Washington interior on a middle screen, then sprinted away from three Huskies for a 33-yard scoring pass to make it 17–3.

The Huskies were 3 of 12 on 3rd down conversions.[13]

Notre Dame

See also: 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.

Statistics NDWASH
First downs 25 9
Total yards 459 124
Rushing yards 252 26
Passing yards 207 98
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 37:28 22:32
Team Category Player Statistics
Notre Dame Passing 14/26, 201 yards, TD, INT
Rushing James Aldridge 13 rushes, 84 yards, 2 TD
Receiving 4 receptions, 107 yards, TD
Washington Passing Ronnie Fouch 11/25, 98 yards, TD
Rushing Terrance Dailey 8 rushes, 24 yards
Receiving D'Andre Goodwin 7 receptions, 47 yards, TD
Washington's offense, with redshirt freshman quarterback Ronnie Fouch making his third career start, did not cross midfield until 6 minutes remained in the game. The Huskies had just 51 total yards on 35 plays entering the fourth quarter. They had 5 yards passing at halftime, when the game was essentially over with Notre Dame up 17–0.

"I feel like we could have scored more, but we never want to embarrass a team", said Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate, who ran 21 yards for his first career touchdown on an end around in the opening quarter. "I think we let up once we had them 14–0."

Washington finished with 124 total yards against a defense that was allowing an average of 368 yards, 75th nationally.

"There was nothing that we did well tonight", a solemn Willingham said after the game.[14]

At No. 7 USC

See also: 2008 USC Trojans football team.

Statistics WASHUSC
First downs 15 25
Total yards 184 485
Rushing yards 71 297
Passing yards 113 188
Turnovers 3 0
Time of possession 29:04 30:56
Team Category Player Statistics
Washington Passing Ronnie Fouch 14/33, 113 yards, 3 INT
Rushing Brandon Johnson 18 rushes, 54 yards
Receiving D'Andre Goodwin 5 receptions, 35 yards
USC Passing 15/19, 167 yards, 2 TD
Rushing 10 rushes, 108 yards, 2 TD
Receiving 6 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD

Mark Sanchez completed 15 of 19 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns to Patrick Turner before coming out early in the third quarter, and Southern California scored TDs on its first six possessions in a 56–0 rout of Washington.

USC led 42–0 at the half.

The win before a crowd of 80,216 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was the 42nd in the last 43 home games for the Trojans.

The victory was the most lopsided in the history of the 78-game series, surpassing USC's 48–0 triumph in 1929. The Trojans have won the last seven games between the teams, but their margin of victory was just six points in 2006 and three points last season.

Washington moved to the Trojans' 6-yard line early in the fourth quarter, but Chris Galippo intercepted a pass by Fouch on second-and-goal and returned it 50 yards to the Huskies' 49.

The Huskies would threaten again later, getting to the USC 25 before Drew McAllister's interception turned them away to preserve the shutout.

"It was exciting to see so many of our young guys get in and to hold onto the shutout there at the end", USC Head coach Pete Carroll said. "It's really a source of pride for everyone."[15]

It was the Huskies' first shutout loss since falling to USC 38–0 in 2004, their worst loss since a 65–7 decision at Miami in 2001, and their worst shutout loss since a 58–0 beating at Oregon in 1973.[16]

Arizona State

See also: 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football team.

Statistics ASUWASH
First downs 19 16
Total yards 400 279
Rushing yards 182 52
Passing yards 218 227
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 30:30 29:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Arizona State Passing 22/31, 218 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Keegan Herring 22 rushes, 144 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Michael Jones 11 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TD
Washington Passing Ronnie Fouch 13/40, 192 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Terrance Dailey 14 rushes, 66 yards
Receiving D'Andre Goodwin 5 receptions, 99 yards
Quarterback Rudy Carpenter rallied Arizona State with a pair of second half touchdowns to Michael Jones, and the Sun Devils kept their slim bowl hopes alive by pulling away for a 39–19 win over winless Washington on Saturday night in Seattle.

Washington opened the playbook in this game. The Huskies used reverses, direct snaps, and even a double pass that ended with quarterback Ronnie Fouch catching a second-quarter touchdown.

With the game tied at 16 in the third quarter, Washington's Chris Stevens blocked a punt and the Huskies took over at the Arizona State 14. But the Sun Devils defense held the Huskies to a second consecutive field goal inside the 10-yard line, and while it gave Washington a 19–16 lead, it would be the last points the Huskies scored.

Carpenter quickly led the Sun Devils down the field, capped by his 6-yard toss to Jones in the back of the end zone to give Arizona State a 23–19 lead. On their next possession, Carpenter hit Jones on a 2-yard fade to push the advantage to 30–19.

Carpenter hit seven straight passes during the two decisive scoring drives. He finished 22 of 31 for 218 yards.

Washington was 4–15 on 3rd down conversions, and ran for a meager 52 yards, 39 of which came on a late 4th quarter carry, after the game had already been decided.

Fouch finished 13 of 40 for 192 yards, with two interceptions.

The Huskies were held scoreless in the 4th quarter for the second consecutive game. The second half continues to be dreadful for the Dawgs: In the past 5 games, UW has managed to score a mere 27 second half points.[17]

UCLA

See also: 2008 UCLA Bruins football team.

Statistics UCLAWASH
First downs 20 10
Total yards 292 135
Rushing yards 157 96
Passing yards 135 39
Turnovers 3 5
Time of possession 36:52 23:08
Team Category Player Statistics
UCLA Passing 13/22, 135 yards, 3 INT
Rushing 25 rushes, 97 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Ryan Moya 3 receptions, 38 yards
Washington Passing Ronnie Fouch 7/22, 39 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Brandon Johnson 20 rushes, 75 yards, TD
Receiving Devin Aguilar 1 reception, 13 yards
Huskies head coach Tyrone Willingham already had been fired from his position. On October 27, 2008, the University of Washington announced that he will not be retained as head coach after the completion of Washington's 2008 football season.[18] Willingham becomes the third Washington coach to be fired (out of the last four) since Hall of Fame coach Don James resigned in 1993 because of pending NCAA and Pac-10 sanctions against his team[19] where his players were determined to have "accepted substantial and illegal benefits under James, likely with his knowledge".[20]

UCLA coach Neuheisel had been fired in the summer of 2003 from the University of Washington in relation to his participation in a neighborhood pool for the 2003 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament and lies he told about his actions. The University of Washington had its probation extended for failing to monitor its football program.[21] [22] This was Neuheisel's first return to Husky Stadium following the firing. There was some booing, but not a significant amount.[23] The Huskies had been on a winless streak all season, and were at 0–9.

The day was sunny and dry, so weather was not a factor as can often be the case in Seattle in November. Under the direction of quarterback Kevin Craft, the Bruins drove 80 yards in 12 plays. Running back Derrick Coleman rushed for a touchdown in the first half. In the second half, the Bruins launched a ninety-two-yard drive. Backed up against the goal line, running back Kahlil Bell ran four straight times, and Craft followed with several key pass completions. UCLA finally scored on a run by Bell, taking the 24–7 lead.

At Washington State

See also: 2008 Washington State Cougars football team and Apple Cup.

Statistics WASHWSU
First downs 20 15
Total yards 323 338
Rushing yards 224 171
Passing yards 99 167
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 35:26 24:34
Team Category Player Statistics
Washington Passing Ronnie Fouch 11/16, 99 yards, INT
Rushing Willie Griffin 26 rushes, 112 yards, TD
Receiving Michael Gottlieb 4 receptions, 49 yards
Washington State Passing Kevin Lopina 17/29, 167 yards, INT
Rushing Dwight Tardy 19 rushes, 75 yards
Receiving Jared Karstetter 2 receptions, 55 yards

On November 21, 2008, the 1–10 Washington State Cougars met the 0–10 Huskies in Pullman for the 101st Apple Cup. The media joked that the game was the "Crapple Cup" and "full of worms". The Huskies led for most of the game, until the Cougars forced their way into overtime with a fourth-quarter field goal by kicker Nico Grasu. Grasu hit two more field goals in the two overtime periods to lead the Cougars to their second straight Apple Cup victory, and fourth win in the teams' last five meetings. The win was the Cougars' lone victory over a Football Bowl Subdivision team in 2008[24] [25] and assured the Huskies' place at the bottom of the Pac-10 standings.

California

See also: 2008 California Golden Bears football team.

Statistics WASHCAL
First downs 12 20
Total yards 200 459
Rushing yards 104 431
Passing yards 96 118
Turnovers 4 0
Time of possession 29:50 30:10
Team Category Player Statistics
Washington Passing Taylor Bean 8/17, 80 yards, INT
Rushing Willie Griffin 24 rushes, 60 yards
Receiving Charles Hawkins Jr. 2 receptions, 43 yards
California Passing 5/10, 84 yards, TD
Rushing 19 rushes, 311 yards, 4 TD
Receiving 3 receptions, 39 yards, TD
The Bears' victory made their record at home a perfect 7–0 and made the Huskies the first 0–12 team in PAC-10 conference history and the only team in the country to finish the 2008 season without a victory.[26] During the game Cal running back Jahvid Best set a school record for most rushing yards in a game at 311.[27] The Huskies finished the season on a 14-game losing streak, as the team's last win had been against Cal at home in 2007.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Willingham out as UW coach. October 28, 2008.
  2. News: Darren. Beene. Willingham is out at end of season. The News Tribune. Tacoma. October 27, 2008. October 29, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081030082248/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/uwsports/2008/10/27/willingham_is_out_at_end_of_season. October 30, 2008. dead.
  3. News: Huskies open against Oregon in football. Condotta, Bob. August 18, 2008. The Seattle Times. August 16, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080818121044/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskies/2008117582_uwfb16.html. August 18, 2008. live.
  4. Web site: Ducks D throttles Huskies, Locker. Miller, Ted. August 31, 2008. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20080903012237/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-1-277/Ducks-D-throttles-Huskies--Locker.html. September 3, 2008. dead. mdy-all.
  5. Web site: BYU avoids Washington's upset bid with blocked PAT. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516204028/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=282500264. dead. May 16, 2021. Associated Press. September 6, 2008. ESPN.
  6. News: Officially devastated by BYU. Ruiz, Don. September 6, 2008. The News Tribune. Tacoma. September 6, 2008. https://archive.today/20130204021740/http://www.thenewstribune.com/1042/story/474531.html. February 4, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
  7. Web site: No. 3 Sooners ride Bradford's six-TD effort past Huskies . CBSSports.com . September 15, 2008 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080916160826/http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAF_20080913_OK%40WA . September 16, 2008 . live .
  8. News: UW breakthrough? No, just broken. Ruiz, Don. October 2, 2008. The News Tribune. Tacoma. September 28, 2008. https://archive.today/20130204002014/http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/colleges/uw/story/493950.html. February 4, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
  9. News: Tough break for Jake, UW in 35–28 loss to Stanford. Condotta, Bob. October 2, 2008. The Seattle Times. September 28, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081001020615/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskies/2008210539_uwfb28.html. October 1, 2008. live.
  10. Web site: Gronkowski, Arizona trounce winless Washington. Associated Press. October 5, 2008. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20081008053936/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282780012&confId=9. October 8, 2008. dead.
  11. News: Dismantled in the desert: UW skid at seven. Ruiz, Don. October 5, 2008. The News Tribune. Tacoma. October 5, 2008. https://archive.today/20130204121944/http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/499905.html. February 4, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
  12. News: Loss at Arizona makes UW 0–5, first time since 1969. Condotta, Bob. October 5, 2008. The Seattle Times. October 5, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081006114758/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskies/2008229197_uwfb05.html. October 6, 2008. live.
  13. Web site: Rodgers brothers zip past winless Washington. Associated Press. October 19, 2008. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20081023125935/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282920264. October 23, 2008. dead.
  14. Web site: Aldridge scores two TDs, Irish defense holds in win over Washington. Associated Press. October 28, 2008. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20081028184616/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282990264. October 28, 2008. dead.
  15. Web site: Washington lone winless FBS team as USC rolls. https://web.archive.org/web/20171207085557/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=283060030. dead. December 7, 2017. Associated Press. November 4, 2008. ESPN.
  16. News: Huskies, Cougars lose by combined 114–0, No. 7 Southern Cal destroys UW. Ruiz, Don. November 4, 2008. The Olympian. November 1, 2008.
  17. Web site: Second half key for Arizona State in rout of winless Washington. https://web.archive.org/web/20171207090058/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=283130264. dead. December 7, 2017. Associated Press. November 12, 2008. ESPN.
  18. Web site: Willingham to step down as Huskies coach at season's end. ESPN. October 27, 2008. October 27, 2008.
  19. http://washington.scout.com/a.z?s=147&p=10&c=288719&refid=4781 Scout.com
  20. News: No Bowl Play For Huskies, Pac-10 Decides – Penalties Beyond 1- Year Ban Possible; Ratification Vote Today. The Seattle Times. Tom. Farrey. August 22, 1993. November 16, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081211044136/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930822&slug=1717161. December 11, 2008. live.
  21. http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/7812728 NCAA clears Neuheisel, extends Washington's probation
  22. Web site: Dennis. Dodd. Slick Rick walks. CBS Sports. October 20, 2004. November 16, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081211111958/http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/7812785. December 11, 2008. dead. mdy-all.
  23. Wharton, David – UCLA 27, WASHINGTON 7 Bruins keep Huskies winless. UCLA overcomes early turnovers to keep slim bowl hopes alive. Los Angeles Times, November 16, 2008
  24. News: Cougars Down the Huskies in Two Overtimes. The Seattle Times. January 2, 2009. Bob. Condotta. November 22, 2008.
  25. Web site: Washington-Washington State playing for pride in Apple Cup. Sports Illustrated. November 20, 2008. August 31, 2013. Murphy, Austin.
  26. Web site: Washington finishes 0–12 season with loss to Cal. Yahoo! Sports. December 6, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081210061158/http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=200812060059. December 10, 2008. live.
  27. Web site: Cal vs. Washington Game Notes . University of California . December 6, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081210065733/http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/120608aac.html . December 10, 2008 . dead .