Bow Down To Washington

With the presents opened, leftover turkey almost completely devoured and promises of New Year’s Resolutions being drafted and charted, the focus in the football world has turned to college bowl season and the upcoming BCS Playoffs. Members of your BC Lions are fixated on their alma mater’s bowl game fortunes and the excitement for two-ex Washington Huskies has been amplified compared to recent years.

Quarterback Keith Price and defensive lineman Andrew Hudson were teammates at the University for three seasons; Price played there from 2010-13 while Hudson arrived a year later and stayed until 2014.

Price celebrates a 27-17 win over Washington State in the 2013 Apple Cup. He left the Huskies after setting no fewer than 11 records.

The Dawgs, fresh off their first conference championship since 1999, face none other than the Alabama Crimson Tide in Saturday’s Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The winner earns a spot in the BCS Championship Game January 9^th in Tampa against the Fiesta Bowl survivor which features Ohio State and Clemson.

In many respects, the Huskies have already enjoyed a season for the ages under head coach Chris Peterson, quarterback Jake Browning, receiver John Ross and safety Budda Baker, just to name a few.

“I think they have a real good team. They are super, super, super well coached and super disciplined,” says Price who led the Huskies to a win over BYU in the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl.

“They have a lot of athletes and I’m glad they have been able to put it all together. We’re on a roll. Hopefully we can get this win against Alabama, but it will be tough.”

2016 marked Price’s first season in Lions orange.

Price’s credentials at U-Dub are noteworthy. He left the school after setting a remarkable 11 team records including career completion percentage, single season completion percentage as well as touchdowns in a season, game and career.

“I had great coaches and players around me,” adds Price. “It made my job a lot easier and a lot of times the guys made me look better than I really was. I can’t give that university as much as they gave me and I am just proud to be part of the alumni. We helped build that house and hopefully they are now taking it to new heights.”

Hudson also had a productive career at the Seattle campus; despite the fact he considered leaving before his senior year. When Peterson took over as head coach, those plans changed.

“I had the intention of either hanging it up or going somewhere else for a true senior year,” says Hudson of the roadblock.

“There were some challenges with the staff and what they had in mind about what my role was going to be. I could have graduated on time, gone somewhere to start my Masters degree and had that paid for, but at the end of the day you want to play your senior year.

Fortunately things changed and we got Coach Peterson. Jeff Toate was one of the best defensive line coaches I ever had the opportunity to work with as well.”

Hudson chases down Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan during his resurgent senior season of 2014.

In that senior season of 2014, Hudson started every game at defensive tackle while recording 54 tackles, 12 sacks and earning an All-Pac 12 honourable mention.

It is safe to say that the 2016 Huskies’ defence will have to play the game of its life against the always-potent Crimson Tide attack.

“I’m just expecting them to go out there and play the way they have been playing all season,” says Hudson. “When you see their defence, you see guys flying around, you see a stout front and you see guys constantly battling. This is obviously a huge opportunity for us and the program.”

Washington was able to take over the Pac 12 title game against Colorado thanks to a couple of huge third quarter interceptions by Bellingham native Taylor Rapp, one of which was returned 35 yards for a touchdown.

“They’ve been doing that all season,” adds Hudson about the opportunistic defence. “It honestly won’t surprise me if they do it again. I’m anticipating that for sure.”

One thing you have noticed for sure is the fact Price and Hudson continue to refer to the program as “we” and “us.” That isn’t uncommon for most guys who represented their schools in athletics, especially football players down south. The overall experience and passionate Huskies fan base no doubt plays a huge role in the never-ending loyalty.

“Best fan base in the country,” insists Price. “Of course I am a little biased, but it’s just a great football town. You have the Seahawks down there and Seattle overall is up and coming as far as sports goes. That town and the fan base deserve all of that.”

One of Price’s many personal connections to the 2016 Huskies involves Ross whom he not only played with in 2013, but was also a close childhood friend of Price’s younger brother. “I grew up watching him play Pop Warner football,” says the QB.

“I knew he was going to be something when he got older. I also know a lot of the other current guys and we snapchat each other all the time.”

John Ross has been a huge cog in Washington’s wheel as they seek their first National Championship since 1991.

Hudson keeps close tabs on current players JoJo McIntosh and Damion Turpin.

Hudson was all smiles after recording his first CFL sack in a victory at Montreal on August 4th.

“I will shoot messages to those guys before the game for sure,” says Hudson.

“Damian had a great Apple Cup (The Huskies annual rivalry game against Washington State) and it’s good to see guys who really had to fight for an opportunity to play getting the chance to win and to see their college careers end on a good note.”

Ironically, Hudson now makes his offseason home in Pullman, where the rival Cougars call home. He is working as a Youth Coordinator at a church in the area and also helps out with the foundation led by former Seahawks fullback Mack Strong. He will be on hand in Seattle when the Peach Bowl is being played and hopes to be part of a festive environment in the city.

Price makes his offseason home in Los Angeles and should the Huskies pull it off, you can bet his cheers will be heard all the way up Interstate 5.

“I’m super excited,” insists Price. “It’s going to be a tall task, but I’m sure they are ready for it. In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.”

Adds Hudson: “This is the prime opportunity to go out there and display Huskies football.”

It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com