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NCAA FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD: Recap
Recap | Box Score | This Week's Scoreboard
Washington 53, Idaho 3
Posted: Saturday September 22, 2001 09:51 PM ET
Idaho
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Washington
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SEATTLE (Ticker) -- No. 13 Washington enjoyed a spectacular day on special teams, scoring touchdowns on a kickoff return, a blocked field goal and a punt return in a 53-3 rout of overmatched Idaho.

Roc Alexander gave the Huskies a 10-3 lead on a 95-yard kickoff return with 3:21 remaining in the first quarter before Chris Massey and Charles Frederick also had touchdowns returns in the first half.

"We played with a lack of discipline early on because I think we were over-emotional," Washington coach Rick Neuheisel said. "We made a lot of silly mistakes that were not evident in our first game. We overcame that and the score got out of hand when our team took over with Roc Alexander's kickoff return."

"We watched film all week and we knew that we could get to the crease," Alexander said. "When we were on the field, I saw (linebacker) Jamaun Willis knocking them out, saw it was wide open, and took it to the house."

Massey scoped up Brian Pope's blocked field goal and raced 69 yards to make it 17-3 with eight seconds left in the first quarter.

Washington (2-0) quickly turned the contest into a rout as Frederick's 87-yard punt return staked the Huskies to a 24-3 lead 3:05 into the second period.

Washington stretched its cushion to 37-3 at the half on TD runs of 25 yards by Cody Pickett and seven yards by Braxton Cleman, who suffered a broken clavicle.

"I think we just had more speed and that is why the game got out of control," Neuheisel said. "I am excited about being 2-0."

Washington has dominated the all-time series, losing just twice in 35 all-time meetings (30-2-2). The Vandals are 0-29-2 in Seattle and have not beaten the Huskies since 1905.

"We tried to hang in there awhile but when you make little mistakes in the kicking game and give up that many points in that short of a time, it really takes the air out of your bubble," Idaho coach Tom Cable said.

Washington has been off since rallying for a 23-18 victory over Michigan on September 8. Last week's contest at Miami was postponed until November 24.

The Huskies have five return scores in their two victories. Against Michigan, Alexander returned a blocked field goal 77 yards for a touchdown and Omare Lowe reached the end zone on a 27-yard interception return.

Pickett completed 15-of-20 for 158 yards and also rushed for 25 yards on six carries. Rich Alexis paced the Huskies on the ground with 79 yards on 16 carries.

"I'm really confident in my offensive line," Pickett said. "They gave me all kinds of time. I didn't get hit at all today. They did a great job."

Blair Lewis ran for 102 yards on 17 carries for the Vandals, who dropped to 0-3 with all three losses coming to Pac-10 Conference teams. Idaho opened with defeats to Washington State (36-7) and Arizona (36-29).

Brian Lindgren completed just 4-of-15 for 61 yards for Idaho before being replaced by John Welsh, who suffered a separated shoulder.

"We were hoping to come here and win," Welsh said. "To get beat like we did today hurts. We will have to look at the tape and just get better."

The Huskies wore special patches on their uniforms to honor the memory of the 16 Washington fans who were killed in a plane crash last week in Mexico. The accident happened one day after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

"We are excited to play football once again, considering the events of the past week, " Neuheisel said. "I thought it was a great crowd and the opening ceremonies were very meaningful."

Washington tight end Jeramy Stevens suffered a broken foot.


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