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Friday, December 13, 2002
No. 10 Washington at Colorado
Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo. -- His team has soared to No. 10 in the nation
on the strength of its 34-29 victory over then-No. 4 Miami last
week. So why does Washington coach Rick Neuheisel wear that uneasy
look?
|  | | Bobby Pesavento and the Buffaloes hope to end their 10-game winless streak against the Huskers. |
Could it be that his undefeated team (2-0) is heading into a
hornet's nest, even though the opposition is winless?
The oddsmakers must think so, having installed Colorado (0-2) as
a 3½-point favorite in Saturday's game.
Neuheisel's Huskies, having targeted the Miami game since the
schedule was released, are vulnerable for a letdown this week.
Colorado, on the other hand, is desperate for a win.
Throw in the revenge factor -- Neuheisel departed Colorado 20
months ago at the height of recruiting season and then led his
Huskies to a 31-24 victory over his former team last season -- and
you have the recipe for fireworks.
"I think there's a concern about how much is in the tank,"
Neuheisel said. "But it seems to me this is the absolute worst
time to want to take a rest. We're facing a team that is very
hungry and very skilled.
"If we're going to accomplish our goals (winning the Pac-10 and
earning a Rose Bowl berth), we're going to have to learn to win on
the road."
Colorado bowed to in-state rival Colorado State 28-24 in its
opener, then fell to Southern California 17-14 last week when the
Trojans kicked a field goal with 13 seconds remaining.
"This is a big game because we're 0-2, and 0-2 is a real strain
on everybody," Buffaloes linebacker Andy Peeke said. "It's
wearing on us, and I can tell it's wearing on the coaches."
While the focus of the game is on Neuheisel's return to Boulder,
Peeke said that interest is misplaced.
"This game is not about him," Peeke said.
Echoed defensive end Brady McDonnell, "I like the guy. He
brought me here. Last year, there was a little revenge thing. But
that's not a factor this year. We're 0-2 and need a win."
Colorado has made two major changes for Saturday. Junior-college
transfer Bobby Pesavento, who played well in relief in each of the
first two games, has displaced Zac Colvin as the starting
quarterback.
Placekicker Jeremy Flores also moves ahead of Mark Mariscal
after Mariscal missed a 40-yard field goal try with 1:14 left that
could have beaten USC. Mariscal is just 1-for-5 this season.
"I think that Bobby will get the ball down the field a little
more for us," Colorado coach Gary Barnett said. "I think
everybody has a great deal of confidence in him. I just think that
Bobby's performance coming off the bench twice, he deserves to
start the game."
Freshman running back Marcus Houston ran for 150 yards on 25
carries against USC, prompting Trojan coach Paul Hackett to say,
"Houston is remarkable. Imagine what he's going to be like in a
couple of years."
Washington jumped out to a 21-3 first-half lead over Miami last
week, then held on. Marques Tuiasosopo ran for a 12-yard score and
threw a 23-yard scoring pass to Jerramy Stevens. Freshman Rich
Alexis had a 50-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
Pesavento said the Huskies have great athletes on both sides of
the ball.
"They are going to come after us man-to-man and they are going
to test us," Pesavento said. "They will be up in our receivers'
faces and they are going to bring pressure. We're going to have to
run past them and get some big plays."
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