Washington football: 3 takeaways from dominant win over Cal

3. A complete team victory

13 fourth-quarter points for Cal, when the game was long ago decided, made this score look far more competitive than it actually was. This one was all Huskies from the get-go.

Washington scored an amazing 45 first-half points, absolutely blitzing the Bears right out of the gate. It was already 24-6 after just a quarter. A big part of that early lead was the Husky special teams.

The first score of the game came on the opening drive with an Edefuan Ulofoshio pick-six, and on the ensuing drive, Rome Odunze returned a punt 83 yards for a score.

Consider that for a moment. Before Michael Penix ever stepped onto the field, Washington was already up two touchdowns. How does anyone contend with that?

Once the Husky offense did take the field, they never punted until the fourth quarter, at which point when they were leading 52-19.

If the special teams is going to score, and the defense is going to score, and Michael Penix is going to keep being Michael Penix, this team is scary. Saturday night was an impressive showing for Washington.