Washington Very Inhospitable to Miami

Marques Tuiasosopo passed for a touchdown and ran for another, and freshman Rich Alexis scored on a 50-yard run as No. 15 Washington defeated No. 4 Miami, 34-29, on Saturday.

Washington spoiled Miami’s first trip to Husky Stadium. In the schools’ first meeting in 1994 at the Orange Bowl, Washington ended the Hurricanes’ NCAA-record 58-game home winning streak.

“That was a big-time win against one of the best teams in the nation,” said Tuiasosopo, who completed 18 of 31 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Washington linebacker Jafar Williams said the victory helps the Huskies in their effort to, “get Washington back to the glory days. Today proves to us that we’re on our way back.”

Washington (2-0) led, 20-3, at halftime and took a 34-22 lead on the second play of the fourth quarter, a one-yard touchdown run by Pat Conniff.

But Miami (1-1), taking advantage of its second interception of the fourth quarter and Washington’s third turnover of the second half, scored on James Jackson’s one-yard run with 2:52 left to pull to within 34-29.

Todd Sievers’ onside kick was recovered by Washington’s Jerramy Stevens at the Miami 45 with 2:49 left. The Huskies couldn’t get a first down, but they were able to run the clock down to 20 seconds.

After Ryan Fleming’s punt landed in the end zone, the Hurricanes took possession at the 20. Ken Dorsey misfired on his first two passes before passing 42 yards to Reggie Wayne on the last play the game.

Washington had itself to blame that the game was so close at the end. After holding Miami without a touchdown in the first half, the Huskies gave up three in the third quarter.

Alexis took a pitchout from Tuiasosopo and scored on his 50-yard run down the left sideline to give the Huskies a 27-9 lead with 6:10 left in the third quarter.

A 61-yard run by Clinton Portis set up an eight-yard touchdown run by Najeh Davenport on the Hurricanes’ next possession to cut Washington’s lead to 27-15.

A fumble by Tuiasosopo at the Washington eight led to Miami’s next touchdown. Jackson scored on the next play as the Hurricanes pulled to within 27-22 with 3:50 left in the third quarter.

Washington then put together a 13-play, 65-yard drive, with Conniff scoring on a one-yard run 30 seconds into the fourth quarter.