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A Tribute to Chris Polk

On my flight back to California on Sunday morning, I was joined by former Washington Huskies running back Chris Polk who was probably flying back home to prepare for the NFL Draft. I got the chance to talk to him once we landed in Ontario, and let me say what a class act. He gladly shook my hand as I told him what a privilege it was to watch him play at UW for the last 3 years and wished him the best of luck in the NFL.

Here is a look at what Chris Polk accomplished in his time playing at UW.

2008

Polk started in 2008 as a true freshman but was injured the second week of the season and was granted a medical redshirt. He was one of 12 true freshman to play in 2008 and one of 9 to start at least one game. 

2009

In 2009, Chris Polk had the best season by a freshman running back in Washington football history. He was the first Husky running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, rushing for 1,113 yards on 226 carries. He rushed for 5 100-yard games on the season, including 4 in a row. He was named a second-team Freshman All-American and first-team Freshman All-Pac-10. 

2010

In 2010, Polk started all 13 games at tailback for the Huskies. He became only the third player in UW history to have multiple 1,000 yard rushing seasons, joining Greg Lewis and Napoleon Kaufman. He finished the season with 1,415 yards, which was the second most in UW history. He also put together the second best rushing performance in school history with 284 yards and 2 touchdowns on 29 carries in the Apple Cup victory over Washington State. Polk lead the Huskies to their first bowl game in 8 seasons when they were paired up with Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. He was was named the games offensive MVP, rushing for 177 yards and one touchdown on a career-high 34 carries. Chris Polk was also named to the All-Pac-10 second team as well as the 950 KJR Most Valuable Offensive Player award at the team banquet. 

2011

2011, Chris Polk's final year at tailback for the Huskies. He again started all 13 games for the Dawgs and had the second best year at tailback in Washington history, rushing for 1,488 yards on 293 carries with 12 rushing touchdowns. This is second only to former Huskies running back Napoleon Kaufman. He had 16 total touchdowns (rushing and receiving) which was tied for fifth most in UW single-season history. He also finished second in career yards (4,049), first in career caries (799) and tied for eighth in career rushing TDs (26). He was one of only seven players in Pac-12 Conference history to top 4,000 yards rushing. 2011 also brought what may have been Polk's best game as a Husky against Arizona. Polk ran for 144 yards and 4 touchdowns on a season-high 34 carries which included 2 game deciding scores at the end of the game to seal the victory. He also caught 4 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, becoming the first player in school history to rush and receive for 100 yards in a game. His four touchdowns on the ground and one through the air also ties the school record for TD's in a game with 5. He was named first-team All Pac 12, honorable mention All-America from Sports Illustrated, Doak Walker Award semi-finalist, and Sports Radio KJR Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the postseason team banquet for the third straight season. 

All in all, myself as well as all of Husky nation are extremely grateful for all Chris Polk has done for Washington Football and all the highlight reel, bone crushing runs he has made in his 3 years playing for the Dawgs. May you have the best of luck in the NFL and continue your success at the next level!

Sincerely, 

Nate Hostetter and all of Husky nation

Flynn signs with the Seahawks

One quarterback domino has fallen in Matt Flynn going to the Seahawks. Matt Flynn signed with the Seahawks on Monday signing a three year deal with $10 million guaranteed. I'm still not convinced that Matt Flynn is the answer in Seattle, he has only thrown 132 regular season passes and hasn't come close to proving himself. Granted he might be a better option that T-Jack, I want to see if he can live up to all the hype. If he can live up to his 480 yard 6 touchdown performance last year against Detroit, we could be talking about an NFC Championship in the next three years. Flynn at quarterback and the Seahawks defense only getting better, it could be a good next three years in Seattle.

Huskies get snubbed, make NIT

Tony Wroten after missing 4 straight free throws with the Huskies down 1 as the Huskies fall to Oregon State in the first round of the PAC 12 Tournament

Well my worst nightmare came true on Sunday evening, the Huskies did not make the NCAA Tournament. This all started on Thursday when the Huskies lost in their first round game of the PAC 12 Tournament against Oregon State. I was at the Staples Center watching the game, and I honestly thought the Dawgs had the game in the bag. Especially after they came back from 15 points down at halftime to go up by 7. They just couldn't make their free throws down the stretch, and I'm not just talking about Tony Wroten. Terrence Ross missed two free throws in the last 5 minutes and CJ Wilcox missed 2 of 4. If either of them would have made a free throw the game would have been tied and there wouldn't have been as much pressure on Wroten, maybe he would have made a free throw or two to put the Dawgs up one. Who knows what would have happened, all we know is that the Huskies lost and didn't make the NCAA Tourney. Instead they got a #1 seed in the NIT Tournament and will be playing Texas-Arlington at Hec Ed Tuesday night at 7:00 PT. I'll be watching for sure and may even be able to get tickets for the game, I'm a Dawg fan no matter what and will be supporting them Tuesday.

Peyton Manning, yes or no?

Everyone is going to have their own opinions on what the Seahawks should do with regards to Peyton Manning. At first glance, it is an obvious choice; sign Peyton Manning and our chances of getting to, and winning a Super Bowl skyrocket. The Hawks have the offensive line to protect Manning, quality recievers he can throw the ball to, and of course a beast at running back with Marshawn Lynch. Seems like a perfect combination for Peyton, what is there to argue? Well, there are some excellent points made by Hawk Blogger that may change your mind.

Huskies are Pac 12 regular season champs. Sights set on tournament trophy

Although they suffered a loss to UCLA on Saturday, Washington captured the Pac 12 regular season title following Cal's loss to Stanford on Sunday. The Huskies played particularly well most of the game Saturday, but couldn't hit shots down the stretch. Darnell Gant missed a 3 pointer in the closing seconds of the game which would have put UW up by 1. I'm still wondering why the ball was even in Gant's hands at the end of the game…I would have rather had any other player on the floor take that shot, preferably Ross who had a team high 18pts and had a wide open look for three. It ended up not mattering thought as Washington is now the number one seed in the Pac 12 tournament this week, and will get a first round bye. The Pac 12 tournament will be held in the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The tournament starts on Wednesday at 12:00 with Washington and Oregon State.

The full schedule is included below. All times are Pacific.

First Round: Wednesday, March 7
12:00 p.m.: No. 8 Washington State vs. No. 9 Oregon State (Fox Sports Net)
2:30 p.m.: No. 5 UCLA vs. No. 12 USC (Fox Sports Net)
6:00 p.m.: No. 7 Stanford vs. No. 10 Arizona State (Fox Sports Net)
8:30 p.m.: No. 6 Colorado vs. No. 11 Utah (Fox Sports Net)

Second Round: Thursday, March 8
12:00 p.m.: No. 1 Washington vs. Oregon State/Washington State winner (Fox Sports Net)
2:30 p.m.: No. 4 Arizona vs. UCLA/USC winner (Fox Sports Net)
6:00 p.m.: No. 2 Cal vs. Stanford/Arizona State winner (Fox Sports Net)
8:30 p.m.: No. 3 Oregon vs. Colorado/Utah winner (Fox Sports Net)

Semifinals: Friday, March 9
6:00 p.m.: Semifinal No. 1: Winners of early Thursday games (Fox Sports Net)
8:30 p.m.: Semifinal No. 2: Winners of evening Thursday games (Fox Sports Net)

Championship: Saturday, March 10
3:00 p.m.: Championship Game (CBS)