PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Jake Browning comes into Week 5 off his best game of the season. In addition to playing turnover-free for the first time in 2018, Browning found three different receivers for touchdowns. He will need to make use of the diversity of playmakers in the Huskies wide receiving corps against a talented BYU secondary.
–LT Jared Hilbers handled the considerable task of replacing injured All-American Trey Adams on the Washington offensive line. The Huskies front five as a whole has endured growing pains this season, only recently getting back Nick Harris at center. As Hilbers gains more experience and becomes more comfortable, his progress directly impacts the play of Jake Browning — which in turn, bolsters Washington’s entire offense.
To that end, Browning’s best game passing with the best pass protection he’s had this season coincided with ball-carriers Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed combining for 157 yards rushing.
–LB Ben Burr-Kirven earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in as many weeks, racking up a remarkable 20 tackles and forcing two fumbles. As Washington’s most effective run-pursuer, Burr-Kirven keys the effort to slow BYU running back Squally Canada. Canada is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and, with five touchdowns, has been the most consistent performer in the Cougars offense.
–CB Byron Murphy played an excellent game, often matched up against Arizona State’s outstanding wide receiver N’Keal Harry. Murphy has emerged as the standout of a deep and talented secondary, and with BYU’s limited passing game primarily flowing through just two pass-catchers — receiver Aleva Hifo and tight end Moroni Laulu-Pututau — Murphy shutting one of quarterback Tanner Mangum’s primary options down would render the Cougars especially predictable.
SERIES HISTORY: Washington improved to 5-4 all-time against BYU and snapped a three-game losing skid in the nonconference series to cap the 2013 campaign at the Fight Hunger Bowl.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Those guys have been making plays all year long and every game it’s the same thing. I’m proud of those guys; we’ve been saying we have good players there. Every game we learn more about ourselves and certain guys get more confident, and those guys will only get better.” — Washington coach Chris Petersen on the performance of Huskies wide receivers
