PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Kamari Pleasant has garnered the fourth-most carries among Washington’s four active running backs, but he made his limited touches count in the past two weeks. Pleasant averaged 7.5 yards per carry Oct. 13 against Oregon, and scored just his second touchdown of the season last week against Colorado.
–LB Benning Potoa’e came on strong against Colorado after three weeks of limited production. His seven tackles tied a season-high and outpaced his combined tackles from the previous three weeks.
–TE Drew Sample has provided a reliable pass-catching option throughout the season, which could come in handy against Cal. In a blowout loss to UCLA on Oct. 13, the Bears surrendered 92 yards to tight end Caleb Wilson on just five catches.
–DB Byron Murphy led Washington in interceptions a season ago with three — which is the total of picks the Huskies have as a team this season. They head into Saturday’s matchup faced with a Cal offense that has more turnovers this season (20) than all but one FBS program. Murphy’s ball-hawking has yet to produce an interception this season, but he does have a forced fumble and team-high 11 pass break-ups.
SERIES HISTORY: Washington leads the series with Cal, 54-39-4. The programs first played in 1904. Washington has dominated in recent years, winning eight of the last nine — though that mark pales in comparison to the Huskies’ 19-game streak from 1977 through 2001.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We moved on from the Oregon game. Going into this game I had five games left in my whole entire career here. I’m not going to let one loss in a rivalry game affect the future.” — QB Jake Browning, on rebounding from the 30-27 overtime loss at Oregon on Oct. 13.
