Tucson, AZ (Sports Network) – Matt Scott threw a pair of touchdown passes as 15th-ranked Arizona used a dominant final three quarters to blow out Washington, 44-14.
With starter Nick Foles sidelined due to a right knee injury he suffered in last weekend’s win over Washington State, Scott, a junior, stepped up and completed 18-of-22 passes for 233 yards.
“Matt was not very skittish going into tonight. He was ready, focused, and well prepared for the game,” Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. “I’m sure he was a little antsy come kickoff, but it did not show. We got off to a good start tonight, and that’s very important.”
Keola Antolin rushed 14 times for 114 yards and a pair of scores for the Wildcats (6-1, 3-1 Pac-10), who also got a pair of running TDs from Nic Grigsby. Juron Criner had eight catches for 108 yards and a score.
Jake Locker finished 17-of-29 for 183 yards with a touchdown for the Huskies (3-4, 2-2), who were coming off a double-overtime win over Oregon State.
Locker and the Huskies capitalized off a fumbled from Taimi Tutogi early in the first quarter and Washington grabbed a 7-0 lead on Jermaine Kearse’s 26- yard TD reception.
Scott, though, connected on a 17-yard scoring pass to David Roberts on the ensuing possession.
Alex Zendejas booted a 29-yard field goal with under five minutes left in the opening quarter and Antolin plunged in from a yard away early in the second for a 17-7 cushion.
Chris Polk then scored on a seven-yard run for the Huskies with eight minutes left in the half, but on the next play from scrimmage Antolin busted off a 78- yard TD run.
Grigsby added a four-yard TD run with under two minutes left in the second, but the extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the score at 30-14 at the half.
Locker fumbled after being sacked during the first series of the third quarter. That led to Grigsby’s four-yard TD run. Scott found Criner for a 21- yard score in the fourth.
Arizona’s last home game against the Huskies resulted in a 48-14 Wildcats win in 2008…The Huskies host Stanford next Saturday, while Arizona plays at UCLA…The Wildcats totaled 467 yards of offense.