PAC-12 American Football Championship Game

Friday, December 2, 2016:

Jet lag could simply not be an issue today, it was a HUSKY GAME DAY of magnitude proportions!

The PAC-12 Championship

was on the line!

At the very worst, a win would put the Dawgs into the Rose Bowl. A good, solid win could put us into the four team College Football Playoff picture.

We entered the final weekend of the 2016 season before bowl and playoff pairings were to be announced ranked #4 behind, in order, Alabama (12-0), Ohio State (11-1) and Clemson (11-1).

Even if we were to win, many thought that it may not be enough to get us into the playoffs. Only a win and the wait for this coming Sunday's bowl assignments would tell the final tale.

The game was being played at a neutral site, Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the new, state-of-the-art home of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.

Since Santa Clara is located about a five hour drive north of our home in Camarillo, our son Mike and I were up early and out the door by 7:00 a.m. to start our game day trek.

I felt strong, so I drove the car northward.

Breakfast stop in San Luis Obispo

 at the Splash Cafe

Breakfast is your most important meal of the day you know.

We arrived at our Wyndham Hotel in San Jose easily and met up with the Johnson family, Mark, Susie, Sophie and Mallory.

The Johnson's are also rabid Husky fans.

But first, we needed sustenance . . .

Nice Grill Work

One Hungry Husky

A random Husky fan

with great goat leggings

Early Trump supporter?

George, Mark, Susie, Sophie,

and Mallory about to enjoy a great BBQ

in San Jose with Mike taking the photo

Tailgating with Mike and Mark

The tailgaters next to us

were doing face paintings

 Mike succumbed to peer pressure

from the ladies

This is definitely way out of Mike's health comfort zone.

We were ready and raring to go!

Family bonding

I really wish that our son Andy could have made the trip from Las Vegas for the game.

The Johnsons in front of

Levi's Stadium

 Although Levi's Stadium was

awesome, it did have

one obvious drawback . . .

 . . . it was the home of the 49ers

Crazy Colorado Buffaloes fans

Just as crazy Washington Huskies fans

Mike with the

Colorado Super Heroine

Mike with the Union 76 ball 

Mike will pose for a photo with just about anyone.

First view of the field

The attendance at the game was declared to be 47,118.

Levi's Stadium has a seating capacity of 68,500. 

Looking good from the end zone

ONE churro for $5.50 USD?

Levi's Stadium engaging in highway robbery.

Colorado Band

Pre-Game Performance 

HERE COME

THE HUSKIES!

 Opening Kickoff

At the end of the First Quarter it was a 7-7 tie.

In the exclusive Club Lounge

Mark Johnson has connections and, as it turns out, we have Mark Johnson. 

Getting close to the action 

Real close

WOOF!

With Mark Johnson

Mark is one of my oldest and dearest friends.

Two old Huskies wandering

about Levi's Stadium

At Half Time, the Huskies were leading 14-7 in a bit of a sluggish performance by both clubs.

With Mike D'Antuono and Paul Sabolic

We hooked up with these two Husky greats at halftime and sat with them during the Third Quarter.

Two more of my oldest and dearest friends. It was great to catch up with them and their families.

The Third Quarter was a great one for the Huskies as we scored the first 17 points of the Second Half. At the end of three periods of play, it was Washington 31 - Colorado 10.

Game Over!

Let the Celebration Begin!

Purple W Reflection

The Huskies are the 2016
PAC-12 Champions

The Huskies were dominant, having a large lead in Total Offense over the Buffaloes 383 yards to 163 yards.

My biggest concern going into the bowl/playoff system was the play of record setting Washington QB Jake Browning on this chilly night.

He only completed nine of his 24 pass attempts for a modest 118 yards and two TDs with no interceptions.

If we do face Alabama in the playoff semi-finals at Atlanta's Georgia Dome in the Peach Bowl game on December 31st as expected, that stat line just will not do.

Nevertheless, on this day as always, I was . . .

PROUD TO BE A HUSKY!