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SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Rick Neuheisel's first win at Washington could not have come against a better opponent. In a game with bitter emotions on both sides, Washington pulled out a 31-24 victory over Colorado on Marques Tuiasosopo's nine-yard touchdown pass to Chris Juergens with 3:17 remaining. Neuheisel departed Colorado after last season to assume control of the Huskies program, leaving behind disgruntled players and school officials in Boulder. He upset new Colorado coach Gary Barnett by contacting several of his former players and came under criticism for recruiting during a "down" period. "This obviously is an emotional time, given the state of what has taken place over the past several months," said Neuheisel. "It was more difficult than I had imagined, to be on the field with all those kids who I'd been in their living rooms with." "It was just as everbody expected," Barnett said. "After the opening kickoff, it became a football game between two teams that need to win. It was a hostile environment for one and a home field for another, and I think everyone got their money's worth." The win was the 600th in Washington history, giving Neuheisel the rare distinction of having guided two programs to their 600th victory. The Huskies (1-2) become the 16th school and second in the Pac-10 Conference to reach the plateau. "There was a lot going through my mind but the ultimate thing here is that it was a good day for college football in that two programs that now both have 600 wins, two programs that I am in absolutely perfect position to tell you have a bunch of great young people, went out there and laid it on the line," Neuheisel said. Facing an 0-3 start for the first time since 1969, the Huskies drove 70 yards in 11 plays for the winning score. Twice on the drive, Tuiasosopo threw key passes, including an 18-yard strike to Dane Looker that got Washington into Colorado territory. Colorado (2-2) drove to the Huskies 21 on the ensuing possession, but on 4th-and-10, Mike Moschetti's pass was intercepted in the end zone by cornerback Anthony Vontoure with a little over a minute left. Playing on a bad left knee, Moschetti completed 19-of-34 passes for 167 yards and a pair of interceptions. Cortlen Johnson carried 13 times for 74 yards for Colorado. Defensive back Ben Kelly nearly led Colorado to the win. He returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the first half and scooped up a fumble by Tuiasosopo in the third quarter and brought it back 38 yards for a score to give the Buffaloes a 21-14 lead. John Anderson booted a 40-yard field goal and Tuiasosopo's 36-yard scoring strike to Gerald Harris early in the fourth period gave the Huskies a 24-21 lead. Jeremy Aldrich connected on a 29-yard field goal for Colorado with 8:54 remaining to tie it. Tuiasosopo was 12-of-23 for 210 yards and two touchdowns and Willie Hurst totaled 85 yards on 19 carries for Washington. Hurst became the third Huskie to lead the team in rushing this season, joining Tuiasosopo and Braxton Cleman. The game was a rematch of the 1996 Holiday Bowl, a 33-21 win by Colorado. Neuheisel and the Huskies travel to Boulder next season.
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