Washington Huskies football facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Washington Huskies football
2026 Washington Huskies football team
First season	1889; 137 years ago
Athletic director	Patrick Chun
Head coach	Jedd Fisch 3rd season, 16–11 (.593)
Stadium	Husky Stadium (capacity: 70,138)
Field	Alaska Airlines Field
Location	Seattle, Washington
NCAA division	Division I FBS
Conference	Big Ten
All-time record	792–470–50 (.623)
Bowl record	22–22–1 (.500)
Claimed national titles	1960, 1991
Unclaimed national titles	1910, 1984, 1990
Conference titles	PCC: 1916, 1919, 1925, 1936 Pac-12: 1959, 1960, 1963, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2016, 2018, 2023
Division titles	Pac-12 North: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020
Rivalries	Washington State (rivalry) Oregon (rivalry) Northwest Championship
Consensus All-Americans	23
Current uniform
Colors	Purple and Gold
Fight song	Bow Down to Washington
Mascot	Dubs II Harry the Husky
Marching band	University of Washington Husky Marching Band
Outfitter	Adidas

The Washington Huskies football team represents the University of Washington in college football. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision within the famous Big Ten Conference. For over a century, Washington was a legendary leader in the Pac-12 Conference. Their home field is Husky Stadium, a huge arena right by the water in Seattle.

Washington has earned a proud reputation in sports history. The Huskies have won two national championships and captured 18 league titles. They have traveled to the famous Rose Bowl Game many times. Known for their royal purple and gleaming gold uniforms, the Huskies have produced dozens of top stars for the National Football League.

The Story and History of the Huskies

The Huskies started playing football long ago in the late nineteenth century. Over the decades, many gifted leaders guided the team through historic winning streaks and exciting bowl games.

Early Years and the First Kickoffs (1889–1907)

The 1900 University of Washington team photographed by Theodore Peiser

Students began playing informal games as early as 1889. The school organized its first official football squad in the autumn of 1892.

During those early years, ten different coaches guided the team. The school played matches on open grounds before building Denny Field on campus in 1895. In 1900, Washington played against Washington State College. That dramatic game ended in a 5–5 tie and started the annual clash known today as the Apple Cup.

Coach Gil Dobie and the Unbeatable Streak (1908–1916)

The undefeated 1908 Washington football team with coach Gil Dobie

A brilliant coach named Gil Dobie arrived from North Dakota Agricultural in 1908. He led the Huskies through nine seasons without losing a single game.

Under Dobie, Washington went 58–0–3. They set an all-time college record by playing 64 games without defeat. They outscored their opponents 1,930 to 118 points. Washington helped launch the Pacific Coast Conference in 1916 and won the first league championship. Gil Dobie was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Moving to Husky Stadium (1917–1920)

Husky Stadium during construction in 1920

Following Dobie, coach Claude J. Hunt won another league championship for Washington in 1919. Coach Tony Savage and coach Stub Allison also directed the team during this transitional era.

In 1920, the school built Husky Stadium right beside scenic Lake Washington. The school briefly called its teams the "Sun Dodgers" before choosing the nickname "Huskies" in 1922 because huskies are strong and fierce northern dogs.

The Roaring Twenties with Enoch Bagshaw (1921–1929)

The cover of the 1924 Rose Bowl program

Former star player Enoch Bagshaw returned to coach the Huskies in 1921. He had previously coached high school teams to national acclaim at Everett High School.

Bagshaw took the Huskies to their very first Rose Bowl Game. In the 1924 Rose Bowl, Washington tied Navy 14–14. In the 1926 Rose Bowl, they played a nail-biter against Alabama. Bagshaw won 63 games and captured the conference crown in 1925.

James Phelan and the Poi Bowl Victory (1930–1941)

James Phelan took over as head coach in 1930 after graduating from Notre Dame. He guided the Huskies for twelve exciting autumn campaigns.

Phelan won the league in 1936 and reached the 1937 Rose Bowl against the Pittsburgh Panthers. In early 1938, Phelan took the team across the ocean to defeat Hawaii 53–13 in the Poi Bowl. James Phelan was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

Challenges and Changes (1942–1956)

Former player Ralph Welch became head coach in 1942. World War II disrupted college athletics, but his team played USC in the 1944 Rose Bowl.

Coach Howie Odell arrived from Yale in 1948 and coached five seasons. Next came John Cherberg, who later served as Lieutenant Governor of Washington for over thirty years. Coach Darrell Royal led the team in 1956 before moving to the Texas Longhorns, where he became an icon at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.

Jim Owens and the First National Title (1957–1974)

Coach Jim Owens

Coach Jim Owens arrived in 1957 after learning under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Owens built tough, physical squads that dominated the West Coast.

His squads won three league crowns and went to three Rose Bowls. They defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 44–8 in the 1960 Rose Bowl. The next year, Washington beat the top-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers 17–7 in the 1961 Rose Bowl. The Helms Athletic Foundation voted Washington national champions for 1960. Owens also worked as athletic director and won 99 games.

Don James and the Perfect Season (1975–1992)

In 1975, Washington hired Don James from Kent State. Fans affectionately called him "The Dawgfather" because he built one of the greatest powerhouses in college football history.

James won four Rose Bowls and the 1985 Orange Bowl. His finest moment came with the 1991 team. The Huskies finished with a perfect 12–0 record, won the national championship, and shared the crown with Miami. The team won 22 games in a row between 1990 and 1992. Don James entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

Conference Battles and Bowl Victories (1993–2013)

Jim Lambright served as head coach from 1993 to 1998, winning 44 games and reaching four bowl games. Rick Neuheisel followed him and led Washington to a victory over Purdue in the 2001 Rose Bowl.

Coach Keith Gilbertson and coach Tyrone Willingham led the Huskies during challenging rebuilding seasons. In 2009, offensive expert Steve Sarkisian took charge from the USC Trojans. Sarkisian guided the Huskies back to winning records and multiple bowl appearances.

Chris Petersen and the Playoff Era (2014–2019)

Coach Chris Petersen came from Boise State in 2014. He quickly brought the Huskies back into national championship contention with disciplined teamwork and clever trick plays.

Petersen led Washington to two Pac-12 championships in 2016 and 2018. The team earned a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff at the 2016 Peach Bowl. He also guided the Huskies to the 2017 Fiesta Bowl and the 2019 Rose Bowl before stepping down.

The Run to the National Championship Game (2020–2023)

Coach Jimmy Lake led the team during the shortened 2020 season. Kalen DeBoer took over in 2022, creating a high-scoring offense led by superstar quarterback Michael Penix Jr..

In 2023, the Huskies finished a perfect 12–0 regular season, won the final Pac-12 championship against Oregon, and beat Texas in the 2024 Sugar Bowl. They reached the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Michigan Wolverines. Coach Jedd Fisch took over leadership in 2024 as Washington joined the Big Ten Conference.

Championships and Historic Trophies

Washington has earned a collection of trophies from bowl games, conference races, and national polls.

College Football National Championships

The 1991 Coaches Poll national championship trophy

The 1991 Grantland Rice Trophy

The 1991 MacArthur Bowl trophy plaque

Washington officially claims two national championships in football.

The 1960 National Championship

In 1960, Washington suffered only one close defeat before winning eight straight games. They faced the No. 1 Minnesota team in the 1961 Rose Bowl and won 17–7. The Helms Athletic Foundation voted Washington national champions.

The 1991 National Championship

The 1991 squad was one of the most dominant teams ever seen. They outscored their opponents by hundreds of points.

Washington crushed Michigan 34–14 in the 1992 Rose Bowl. The team earned the top spot in the Coaches' Poll, taking home The Coaches' Trophy, the Grantland Rice Award, and the MacArthur Bowl.

Rose Bowl Victories

The Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California is nicknamed "The Granddaddy of Them All." Washington has won seven Rose Bowls and tied one.

• 1924 Rose Bowl: Washington tied Navy 14–14.
• 1960 Rose Bowl: Washington beat Wisconsin 44–8.
• 1961 Rose Bowl: Washington defeated Minnesota 17–7.
• 1978 Rose Bowl: Washington upset Michigan 27–20.
• 1982 Rose Bowl: Washington shut out Iowa 28–0.
• 1991 Rose Bowl: Washington scored high to beat Iowa 46–34.
• 1992 Rose Bowl: Washington defeated Michigan 34–14 to seal a national title.
• 2001 Rose Bowl: Washington defeated Purdue 34–24.

Conference Championships

Washington has captured 18 league championships across more than a century of play:

• Pacific Coast Conference (4): 1916, 1919, 1925, 1936
• Athletic Association of Western Universities (3): 1959, 1960, 1963
• Pacific-8 Conference (1): 1977
• Pacific-10 Conference (7): 1980, 1981, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2000
• Pac-12 Conference (3): 2016, 2018, 2023

Fierce Rivalries

Rivalry games are special matches played every season against traditional rivals. Washington shares big rivalries with its neighbors in the Pacific Northwest.

The Oregon Ducks and the Cascade Clash

The rivalry with the Oregon Ducks began in 1900. It is often called the Cascade Clash or the Fight for the Forest. The schools are located about 285 miles apart along Interstate 5. Fans travel back and forth each autumn to support their teams in this heated contest. Washington leads the all-time series.

Washington State and the Apple Cup

Washington plays the Washington State Cougars every year in the famous Apple Cup. The winner receives a large trophy presented by the state's governor. The series began in 1900 with a 5–5 tie, and the Huskies hold the overall lead in total victories.

The Northwest Championship

Whenever Washington sweeps all three of its regional rivals—Oregon, Washington State, and Oregon State—in a single year, fans celebrate winning the Northwest Championship.

Husky Facilities and Traditions

Husky Stadium right on the shore of Lake Washington

Washington football boasts unique stadium traditions and famous team colors.

Husky Stadium on Lake Washington

Husky Stadium opened in 1920 on the shores of Lake Washington. Fans can actually travel to games by boat, an activity known as "sailgating."

The stadium seats over 70,000 cheering fans. Large metal roofs trap sound inside the bowl, making it one of the loudest stadiums in sports. During a night game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 1992, sound equipment recorded crowd noise at over 133 decibels, which was the loudest noise level ever measured at a college football game.

The Dempsey Indoor Center

The Dempsey Indoor is a massive 80,000-square-foot practice complex. It allows Husky players to practice passing, catching, and running indoors during rainy Seattle weather.

Team Colors, Logos, and Uniforms

Huskies running back Myles Gaskin wearing the classic purple jersey and gold pants

The Huskies traditionally wear purple jerseys, shiny gold pants, and gold helmets displaying a purple letter "W."

Under coach Jim Owens, star defenders earned the right to wear special purple helmets. Linebacker Rick Redman wore one while chasing down ball carriers. The team has also worn all-black uniforms for special "blackout" games, as well as modern white road uniforms. Today, the athletic program partners with sports company Adidas to design its gear.

The Husky Marching Band and Dubs

The University of Washington Husky Marching Band features 240 talented musicians and performers who play at every home game. They lead the crowd in singing the fight song, "Bow Down to Washington."

Fans also cheer for two mascots: Harry the Husky, a costumed character who dances on the field, and Dubs II, an Alaskan Malamute dog who leads the team out of the tunnel.

Award Winners and Famous Stars

Many fantastic athletes and coaches have represented the Huskies over the years.

National Trophy Winners

• Steve Emtman (Defensive Tackle) – Won the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy in 1991 as the best lineman in America.
• Greg Lewis (Running Back) – Won the very first Doak Walker Award in 1990 as the nation's premier running back.
• Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Tight End) – Captured the John Mackey Award in 2013.
• Shaq Thompson (Linebacker) – Won the Paul Hornung Award in 2014 as the most versatile player.
• Michael Penix Jr. (Quarterback) – Won the Maxwell Award in 2023 after leading the nation in passing yards.

Hall of Fame Players and Coaches

Quarterback Warren Moon entered both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame

Several Husky heroes are enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

• Hugh McElhenny – A lightning-fast halfback who starred in the 1950s and entered both hall of fame shrines.
• Warren Moon – Led the Huskies to a Rose Bowl win in 1978 and became an NFL star, entering both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
• George "Wildcat" Wilson – An All-American running back who played in the 1924 and 1926 Rose Bowls.
• Don James – The beloved coach who won 153 games at Washington.
• Gil Dobie – The coach who never lost a game during his nine years at Washington.

Quarterback U

The Huskies are often called "Quarterback U" because so many Washington quarterbacks have played in the National Football League. Famous passers include Don Heinrich, Bob Schloredt, Warren Moon, Mark Brunell, Jake Locker, and Michael Penix Jr..

Memorable Games in Husky History

Throughout football history, the Huskies have played in games remembered for thrilling plays and massive upsets.

The 1975 Apple Cup Comeback

Washington trailed Washington State 27–14 late in the fourth quarter. Husky defensive back Al Burleson intercepted a pass and ran 93 yards for a touchdown. Minutes later, quarterback Warren Moon threw a pass that tipped into the arms of receiver Spider Gaines for a 78-yard touchdown, giving Washington a wild 28–27 win.

The 1985 Orange Bowl and the Sooner Schooner

In the 1985 Orange Bowl, Washington played the powerful Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma kicked a field goal, but a penalty canceled the play. The Sooner Schooner, a horse-drawn wagon mascot, accidentally drove onto the field too early and received another penalty. Washington blocked the next kick, took control, and won 28–17 behind running back Jacque Robinson.

The "Whammy in Miami" (1994)

The Miami Hurricanes held a national record 58-game home winning streak at the Miami Orange Bowl. In September 1994, the Huskies traveled to Florida and shocked the sports world. Washington scored 22 points in five minutes during the third quarter and won 38–20, snapping Miami's historic home streak.

Miracle on Montlake (2009)

The No. 3 ranked USC Trojans visited Seattle in September 2009. Washington quarterback Jake Locker led an 86-yard drive late in the fourth quarter. Kicker Erik Folk booted a 22-yard field goal with three seconds left to secure a 16–13 upset win, causing thousands of excited fans to rush onto the field.

Images for kids

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  Coach Gil Dobie

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  Running back George "Wildcat" Wilson

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  Coach James Phelan

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  Star halfback Hugh McElhenny

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  Quarterback Don Heinrich

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  Honored player numbers displayed at Husky Stadium

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  The 1960 Rose Bowl Player of the Game trophy

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  Former quarterback William J. Coyle

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  A commemorative stone marking the 1994 win over Miami

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  Excited Husky fans celebrate on the field after beating USC in 2009

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  Husky Stadium players taking the field at the 2016 Peach Bowl

Related Pages

• List of Washington Huskies in the NFL draft
• College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS