SEATTLE — Imagine, if you will, Utah defensive tackle Leki Fotu — all 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds of him — delivering a stare and a businesslike demeanor as he discusses the importance of Saturday’s game at Washington.
Unfortunately for the Huskies, Fotu’s approach to the rematch of last year’s Pac-12 Championship Game is a reality. The Utes haven’t forgotten about that 10-3 loss.
“It’s a game that we’ve been looking forward to since the last time we played them,” Fotu said. “Yeah, it’s a personal one — especially for our seniors and those that played last year.”
“It’s a game that we’ve been looking forward to since the last time we played them. Yeah, it’s a personal one — especially for our seniors and those that played last year.” — Utah defensive tackle Leki Fotu
Washington defeated Utah twice in 2018. The first one was a 21-7 decision at Rice-Eccles Stadium in September.
“This week we’re all locked in,” Fotu said. “We’re sitting in a good place right now but you can’t get too comfortable right now.”
Senior defensive end Bradlee Anae has similar thoughts.
“Oh yeah, definitely. This is I think, our biggest game this year,” he said. “While our biggest game is always the next game, but this one is the most important to me — especially.”
Anae noted that Utah hasn’t defeated Washington since a 34-23 decision in 2015. Four straight setbacks have followed. The latest, which decided a berth in the Rose Bowl, was decided by a deflected 66-yard interception return for a touchdown by Byron Murphy.
“It’s been a frustrating game for us in the past,” Anae said. “So we’re going to try to get over this hump and it’s a big one we’ve got to get over.”
The importance, thereof, is manifest in the decision by Fotu, Anae and other seniors like Julian Blackmon and Zack Moss to put likely NFL careers on hold in order to take care of the unfinished business.
Simply out, Anae said: “Unfinished business equals Washington. That’s it.”
And yes, it’s personal.
Junior receiver Britain Covey noted that there’s respect as well.
“I think people look at Utah and Washington as two programs that are elite — just consistently year in and year out you know that it’s going to be a dogfight,” Covey said.
As such, Covey and the Utes consider it kind of a rivalry.
Even so, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham doesn’t put a lot of stock in any sort of revenge factor after the championship encounter.
“No, two different teams and two different matchups. They have a lot of new faces and we’ve got a lot of new faces, so I don’t think there is that element,” Whittingham said. “I remember the sting of that loss, I am not going to pretend like it never happened, but it is more just going through your normal process and preparing like we have been for the last several games and not deviating from that.”
Utah enters this meeting with a 7-1 overall record and 4-1 mark in the Pac-12. Washington counters at 5-3 and 2-3.
“This has always been a game of smarts. They’re smart, tough guys and we’re smart, tough guys, too,” Anae said. “It’s one of those games that’s going to be a good one and so we just look forward to it.”
Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley explained that he really hasn’t had Washington circled on his calendar. He considers it more of a situation where the Utes just need to come out, play their game and be ready for a good ballgame,
“One thing that we’ve got to worry about is they’re just a great football team and we’ve just got to do every play,” Huntley said.
No. 9/10 Utah (7-1, 3-1) at Washington (5-3, 2-3)
At Husky Stadium — Seattle
Saturday, 2 p.m. (Mountain)
TV: Fox
Radio: ESPN 700AM