1991 Washington Huskies football team

American college football season

1991 Washington Huskies football
Coaches' Poll national champion
FWAA national champion
NFF national champion
Pac-10 champion
Rose Bowl champion
Rose Bowl, W 34–14 vs. Michigan
ConferencePacific-10 Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 1
APNo. 2
Record12–0 (8–0 Pac-10)
Head coach
  • Don James (17th season)
Offensive coordinatorKeith Gilbertson (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorJim Lambright (15th season)
MVPMario Bailey (offense)
Steve Emtman (defense)
Captains
  • Mario Bailey
  • Brett Collins
  • Ed Cunningham
  • Donald Jones
Home stadiumHusky Stadium
Seasons
← 1990
1992 →
1991 Pacific-10 Conference football standings
  • v
  • t
  • e
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 2 Washington $   8 0     12 0  
No. 8 California   6 2     10 2  
No. 19 UCLA   6 2     9 3  
No. 22 Stanford   6 2     8 4  
Arizona State   4 4     6 5  
Washington State   3 5     4 7  
Arizona   3 5     4 7  
USC   2 6     3 8  
Oregon   1 7     3 8  
Oregon State   1 7     1 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1991 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. Head coach Don James, in his 17th season at Washington, was assisted by coordinators Keith Gilbertson (offense) and Jim Lambright (defense), both head coaches themselves within two years.

The 1991 team was arguably the finest team in school history and split the national championship with the Miami Hurricanes, who were also 12–0, and won the AP Poll by four votes, while Washington took the coaches' poll by nine.[1] Washington could not have played Miami in a bowl game because the Pac-10 champion was bound by contract to play in the Rose Bowl against the Big Ten champion. The Huskies soundly defeated fourth-ranked Michigan 34–14 in the Rose Bowl; the final score differential was narrowed by a late touchdown by Tyrone Wheatley of Michigan. With a minute remaining in the game, Washington was on the Michigan five-yard line, but opted to stay on the ground and run out the clock with third-string quarterback Damon Huard leading the offense.[2]

Eleven Huskies were selected in the 1992 NFL draft, led by Steve Emtman, a dominating yet under-recruited defensive tackle from Cheney. Emtman won both the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy, and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting, won by Desmond Howard of Michigan. Defensive back Dana Hall was also selected in the first round.

A fantasy article in Sports Illustrated titled "The Dream Game" had the Huskies narrowly defeat Miami in a playoff.[3]

Overview

The Huskies were ranked fourth in the 1991 pre-season. They dominated their six home games within the confines of Husky Stadium, which included two lopsided shutouts. The Dawgs' three closest games in 1991 were on the road: against Nebraska, California, and USC.

Behind 14–6 at halftime in Lincoln on ABC to no. 9 Nebraska in the second game of the season, UW rallied to outscore NU in Lincoln 30–7 in the second half to win by 15, and were graciously applauded at game-end by the Cornhusker fans.[4] In mid-October, the no. 7 Cal Bears were the next-best team in the Pac-10 in 1991; the Huskies won by a touchdown in Berkeley to go to 6–0. In November in Los Angeles, the Huskies entered the game against USC undefeated at 8–0 and won a 14–3 defensive struggle, a second-straight victory over the previously dominant Trojans.

Like the rest of the Pac-10 in 1991, the Huskies played just eight Pac-10 conference games, missing one opponent; they did not play UCLA in 1991 or 1992. The 1991 Bruins finished at 9–3 (6–2 in conference), in the top twenty in both polls (no. 18 and no. 19). UCLA lost to Tennessee of the SEC and both Bay Area teams, Cal and Stanford, but won their bowl game.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 712:30 p.m.at StanfordNo. 4ABCW 42–745,273
September 215:00 p.m.at No. 9 Nebraska*No. 4
ABCW 36–2176,304
September 2812:30 p.m.Kansas State*No. 4PrimeW 56–371,638
October 53:30 p.m.ArizonaNo. 3
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
PrimeW 54–072,495
October 1212:30 p.m.Toledo*No. 3
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
PrimeW 48–072,266
October 1912:30 p.m.at No. 7 CaliforniaNo. 3ABCW 24–1774,500
October 2612:30 p.m.OregonNo. 3
PrimeW 29–772,318
November 212:30 p.m.Arizona StateNo. 3
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
PrimeW 44–1672,405
November 912:30 p.m.at USCNo. 2ABCW 14–359,320
November 161:00 p.m.at Oregon StateNo. 3PrimeW 58–631,588
November 2312:30 p.m.Washington StateNo. 2
ABCW 56–2172,581
January 1, 19921:45 p.m.vs. No. 4 Michigan*No. 2ABCW 34–14103,566
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Pacific time

[5]

Roster

1991 Washington Huskies football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 5 Mario Bailey (C) Jr
RB 42 Jay Barry Jr
TE 85 Mark Bruener Fr
QB 11 Mark Brunell Jr
RB 29 Beno Bryant Jr
C 79 Ed Cunningham (C) Sr
OT 66 Tom Gallagher So
QB 12 Billy Joe Hobert So
FB 22 Matt Jones Jr
G 56 Pete Kaligis Jr
RB 8 Napoleon Kaufman Fr
OT 75 Lincoln Kennedy Jr
OT 70 Siupeli Malamala Sr
WR 4 Orlando McKay Sr
G 52 Jim Nevelle So
OT 71 Pete Pierson So
TE 84 Aaron Pierce Sr
G 72 Kris Rongen So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
CB 23 Walter Bailey So
LB 46 Brett Collins (C) Sr
DE 90 Steve Emtman Jr
DT 75 D'Marco Farr So
OLB 3 Jaime Fields Jr
ILB 39 Chico Fraley Sr
CB 5 Dana Hall Sr
ILB 54 Dave Hoffman Jr
OLB 48 Donald Jones (C) Sr
DE 13 Andy Mason So
FS 21 Shane Pahukoa Jr
NG 57 Tyrone Rodgers Sr
FS 20 Tommie Smith Jr
SS 8 Paxton Tailele Sr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 4 Travis Hanson So
P 98 John Werdel So
Head coach
  • Don James (17th year)
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt
Source:[6]

Rankings

12)2 (23)2 (28)Coaches4 (3)4 (3)3 (2)4 (1)4 (1)3 (1)3 (1)3 (1)3 (2)3 (2)3 (8)3 (8)2 (15)2 (27)1 (29)1 (33 12)

Game summaries

At Stanford

#4 Washington at Stanford
1 234Total
Washington 0 21021 42
Stanford 0 700 7
Scoring summary
Q213:45UWJay Barry 11 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 7–0
Q29:43UWBeno Bryant (Travis Hanson kick)UW 14–0
Q22:02STANTommy Vardell 1 yard run (Aaron Mills kick)UW 14–7
Q20:09UWMario Bailey 26 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 21–7
Q414:02UWJoe Kralik 20 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 28–7
Q411:59UWJay Barry 20 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 35–7
Q41:30UWLeif Johnson 20 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 42–7

Washington's forced five turnovers and scored four touchdowns on the ground in a 42–7 season opening victory at Stanford. Cornerback Walter Bailey had an interception and a fumble recovery, while running back Jay Barry ran for two scores. Billy Joe Hobert, making his first career start, completed 21 of 31 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

Source:[7]

At Nebraska

#4 Washington at #9 Nebraska
1 234Total
Washington 0 61020 36
Nebraska 7 770 21
Scoring summary
Q18:41NEBDerek Brown 27 yard run (Bryon Bennett kick)NEB 7–0
Q29:07UWBilly Joe Hobert 9 yard run (kick failed)NEB 7–6
Q23:40NEBJon Bostick 42 pass from Keithen McCant (Byron Bennett kick)NEB 14–6
Q312:27UWTravis Hanson 43 yard field goalNEB 14–9
Q35:32NEBDerek Brown 2 yard run (Bryon Bennett kick)NEB 21–9
Q30:19UWBeno Bryant 15 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)NEB 21–16
Q411:20UWOrlando McKay 8 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (pass failed)UW 22–21
Q47:26UWBilly Joe Hobert 3 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 29–21
Q45:38UWJay Barry 81 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 36–21

Source:[8]

Kansas State

Kansas State at #4 Washington
1 234Total
Kansas State 0 300 3
Washington 21 14714 56
Scoring summary
Q113:08UWJay Barry 3 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 7–0
Q110:30UWMario Bailey 71 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (kick failed)UW 13–0
Q13:21UWBeno Bryant 4 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 20–0
Q212:22UWJay Barry 1 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 27–0
Q23:00UWOrlando McKay 28 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Leif Johnson pass from Eric Bjornson)UW 35–0
Q20:00KSUTate Wright 42 yard field goalUW 35–3
Q34:19UWMario Bailey 32 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 42–3
Q411:05UWBeno Bryant 53 yard punt return (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 49–3
Q46:39UWNapoleon Kaufman 3 yard run (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 56–3

Arizona

Arizona at #3 Washington
1 234Total
Arizona 0 000 0
Washington 7 27146 54
Scoring summary
Q17:15UWJay Barry 13 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 7–0
Q212:24UWBilly Joe Hobert 1 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 14–0
Q28:11UWMario Bailey 29 yard pass from Mark Brunell (Travis Hanson kick)UW 21–0
Q24:57UWMatt Jones 1 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 28–0
Q24:00UWWalter Bailey 24 yard interception return (kick failed)UW 34–0
Q310:16UWMario Bailey 23 yard pass from Mark Brunell (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 41–0
Q32:46UWBeno Bryant 13 yard run (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 48–0
Q48:25UWNapoleon Kaufman 9 yard run (kick failed)UW 54–0

Toledo

Toledo at #3 Washington
1 234Total
Toledo 0 000 0
Washington 21 1377 48
Scoring summary
Q111:22UWMario Bailey 28 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 7–0
Q17:08UWMario Bailey 4 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 14–0
Q13:32UWMatt Jones 2 yard run (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 21–0
Q214:42UWMario Bailey 70 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (kick failed)UW 27–0
Q29:04UWJay Barry 2 yard run (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 34–0
Q32:13UWJay Barry 32 yard pass from Mark Brunell (Jason Crabbe kick)UW41–0
Q43:03UWEric Bjornson 9 yard run (Jason Crabbe kick)UW 48–0

At California

#3 Washington at #7 California
1 234Total
Washington 7 1007 24
California 7 370 17
Scoring summary
Q1CALSean Dawkins 59 yard pass from Mike Pawlawski (Doug Brien kick)CAL 7–0
Q10:58UWMario Bailey 36 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)7-7
Q210:07UWTravis Hanson 23 yard field goalUW 10–7
Q25:08CALDoug Brien 50 yard field goal10-10
Q20:15UWJay Barry 9 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 17-10
Q30:01CALLindsey Chapman 69 yard run (Doug Brien kick)17-17
Q413:56UWBeno Bryant 65 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 24–17

Oregon

Oregon at #3 Washington
1 234Total
Oregon 0 007 7
Washington 7 1237 29
Scoring summary
Q14:44UWMario Bailey 18 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 7–0
Q214:54UWMario Bailey 29 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (kick failed)UW13–0
Q210:50UWTravis Hanson 44 yard field goalUW 16–0
Q25:01UWTravis Hanson 28 yard field goalUW 19–0
Q30:33UWTravis Hanson 33 yard field goalUW 22–0
Q46:20UWOrlando McKay 15 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 29–0
Q44:21ORSean Burwell 25 yard run (Greg McCallum kick)UW 29-7

Arizona State

Arizona State at #3 Washington
1 234Total
Arizona State 0 088 16
Washington 14 17103 44
Scoring summary
Q111:23UWOrlando McKay 10 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 7–0
Q18:55UWJay Barry 1 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 14–0
Q214:56UWBilly Joe Hobert 5 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 21–0
Q212:13UWMario Bailey 15 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 28–0
Q21:42UWTravis Hanson 18 yard field goalUW 31–0
Q312:52UWDarius Turner 1 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 38–0
Q34:37UWTravis Hanson 27 yard field goalUW 41–0
Q30:37ASUKevin Snyder 11 yard pass from Bret Powers (Parnell Charles 2 yard pass from Bret Powers)UW 41-8
Q40:37ASUJerone Davison 1 yard run (Parnell Charles 2 yard run)UW 41-16
Q43:05UWTravis Hanson 30 yard field goalUW 44-16

At USC

#2 Washington at USC
1 234Total
Washington 7 700 14
USC 0 030 3
Scoring summary
Q17:22UWBeno Bryant 55 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 7–0
Q24:22UWBeno Bryant 9 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 14–0
Q32:04USCJ.J. Dudum 23 yard field goalUW 14–3

At Oregon State

#2 Washington at Oregon State
1 234Total
Washington 16 28140 58
Oregon State 3 300 6
Scoring summary
Q112:39OSUJamie Burke 33 yard field goalOSU 3–0
Q18:31UWMario Bailey 6 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 7–3
Q18:12UWSafety - Andy Mason tackles Chad Paulson -10 yard runUW 9–3
Q17:11UWMario Bailey 28 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 16–3
Q214:56UWMario Bailey 19 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 23–3
Q210:18UWNapoleon Kaufman 9 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 30–3
Q23:03UWBilly Joe Hobert 11 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 37–3
Q22:30OSUJamie Burke 41 yard field goalUW 37–6
Q21:08UWOrlando McKay 18 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 44–6
Q30:58UWNapoleon Kaufman 1 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 51–6
Q30:00UWDarius Turner 5 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 58–6

Washington State

Washington State at #2 Washington
1 234Total
Washington State 7 077 21
Washington 6 22721 56
Scoring summary
Q112:53UWOrlando McKay 69 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (kick failed)UW 6–0
Q14:12WSUAugustin Olobia 33 yard pass from Drew Bledsoe ( Jason Hanson kick)WSU 7–6
Q214:08UWDarius Turner 4 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (2 pt conversion failed)UW 12-7
Q212:29UWWalter Bailey 37 yard interception return (Jay Barry 3 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert)UW 20–7
Q28:30UWMario Bailey 20 yard pass from Mark Brunell (2 pt conversion failed)UW 26–7
Q21:09UWSafety Jaime Fields 5 yard sackUW 28–7
Q37:53UWBeno Bryant 21 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 35–7
Q31:06WSUShaumbe Wright-Fair 3 yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Jason Hanson kick)UW 35–14
Q412:39UWMario Bailey 7 pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Travis Hanson kick)UW 42–14
Q411:04WSUPhillip Bobo 15 yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Jason Hanson kick)UW 42-21
Q410:37UWJay Barry 8 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 49-21
Q43:50UWMark Brunell 5 yard runUW 56-21

Vs. Michigan (Rose Bowl)

#2 Washington vs. #4 Michigan
1 234Total
Huskies 0 13813 34
Wolverines 0 707 14
Scoring summary
Q214:57UWBilly Joe Hobert 2 yard run (Travis Hanson kick)UW 7–0
Q213:09UMWalter Smith 9 yard pass from Elvis Grbac (J.D. Carlson kick)7–7
Q26:52UWTravis Hanson 24 yard field goalUW 10-7
Q23:29UWTravis Hanson 23 yard field goalUW 13-7
Q35:27UWMark Bruener 5 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Aaron Pierce 3 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert)UW 21–7
Q414:21UWAaron Pierce 2 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (kick failed)UW 27–7
Q413:12UWMario Bailey 38 pass from Mark Brunell (Travis Hanson kick)UW 34–7
Q410:34UMTyrone Wheatley 53 yard run (J.D. Carlson kick)UW 34-14

Awards and honors

National

Conference

  • All-Pacific-10: Mario Bailey, Lincoln Kennedy, Ed Cunningham, Steve Emtman, Dave Hoffmann, Chico Fraley, Donald Jones, Dana Hall
  • Pacific-10 Offensive Player of the Year: Mario Bailey
  • Pacific-10 Defensive Player of the Year: Steve Emtman
  • Pacific-10 Coach of the Year: Don James

NFL draft selections

Eleven University of Washington Huskies were selected in the 1992 NFL draft, which lasted twelve rounds with 336 selections.[10]

= Husky Hall of Fame[11]
Player Position Round Pick NFL club
Steve Emtman DT 1 1 Indianapolis Colts
Dana Hall DB 1 18 San Francisco 49ers
Ed Cunningham C 3 61 Arizona Cardinals
Siupeli Malamala T 3 68 New York Jets
Aaron Pierce TE 3 69 New York Giants
Orlando McKay WR 5 130 Green Bay Packers
Mario Bailey WR 6 162 Houston Oilers
Donald Jones LB 9 245 New Orleans Saints
Kris Rongen G 11 290 Seattle Seahawks
Brett Collins LB 12 314 Green Bay Packers
Chico Fraley LB 12 319 Seattle Seahawks

References

  1. ^ "Stat sheet: football, final polls". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). January 2, 1992. p. E4.
  2. ^ "Huskies crush Michigan 34-14". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. January 2, 1992. p. 1B.
  3. ^ Murphy, Austin (January 13, 1992). "The Dream Game". Sports Illustrated. p. 34.
  4. ^ Gene Wojciechowski (September 22, 1991). "Washington Wins Husker Fans, Too : Huskies: After Nebraska loses, 36-21, the Lincoln crowd musters an ovation for the stunned visitors". LA Times.
  5. ^ 2003 UW Huskies football media guide, p. 209
  6. ^ "Oregon outlook". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). October 26, 1991. p. 4B.
  7. ^ "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: WEST/SOUTHWEST; Washington's Defense Scuttles Stanford, 42-7". The New York Times. September 7, 1991. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  8. ^ "Washington 36 Nebraska 21". Husker Max. September 21, 1991. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  9. ^ Hyland, Tim. "AP College Football National Champions". Football.about.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  10. ^ "1992 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  11. ^ "The Husky Hall of Fame". gohuskies.com. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  12. ^ "Billy Joe Hobert NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  13. ^ "Mark Brunell NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
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