BOULDER, Colo._Sorry we missed you, Ralphie.
Good to see you again, Myles.
Led by their standout junior running back, Myles Gaskin, the No. 7 Washington Huskies used a rejuvenated ground game to get past a pesky Colorado team, 37-10, in both teams' Pac-12 opener on a soggy Saturday night at Folsom Field.
Gaskin rushed for a career-high 202 yards and two touchdown on 27 carries, topping 100 yards for the first time since his 159-yard performance against the Buffaloes in the 2016 Pac-12 championship game.
There were questions about the rushing attack when the Huskies (4-0) came into Saturday's game averaging 129.7 yards rushing per game, which ranked ninth in the conference. Question no more.
Gaskin chewed up ground on the same field where Ralphie, Colorado's 1,200-pound live buffalo, makes its usual pregame sprint to lead the team onto the field. It's one of the cooler traditions in college football, except Ralphie was sidelined on this night because of inclement weather.
The steady rain made both teams' passing game a bit messy at times.
UW's defense took advantage of several poor decisions by Colorado sophomore quarterback Steven Montez. Jordan Miller had two first-half interceptions, and Myles Bryant intercepted Montez late in the third quarter and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, pushing UW's lead to 24-10 entering the fourth quarter.
It was a strong performance from the Huskies' young secondary in its first game without starting cornerback Byron Murphy, who is expected to miss six weeks with a foot fracture. In his place, sophomore Austin Joyner played well in his first career start.
Colorado marched down the field on the game's first possession, going 75 yards on 11 plays and getting a 1-yard touchdown run from Philllip Lindsay to take a 7-0 lead.
UW's special teams once again sparked a rally. Vita Vea, UW's 340-pound defensive tackle, powered through Colorado's punt-protection shield and blocked a punt with his right hand. UW recovered at the Colorado 12-yard line, and four plays later Gaskin scored a 1-yard TD to tie the score at 7-7 with 9:04 left in the second quarter.
Tristan Vizcaino, after missing an earlier 32-yard try, connected from 25 yards later in the second quarter to give the Huskies a 10-7 halftime lead.
Just as they did nine months earlier their 41-10 victory over Colorado in the Pac-12 title game, the Huskies took control in the third quarter.
Sophomore wide receiver Quinten Pounds made a spectacular catch, leaping over two defenders, to haul in a 43-yard touchdown pass from Jake Browning to extend UW's lead to 17-7 with 11:38 left in the third.
Colorado answered with a field goal before Bryant's pick six. Walk-on defensive end Shane Bowman and senior middle linebacker Azeem Victor ended Colorado's next drive with back-to-back sacks.
True freshman running back Salvon Ahmed then scored on a 6-yard run early in the fourth quarter to push UW's lead to 31-10.
Gaskin carried the load for a UW offense missing three regulars, including hulking backup running back Lavon Coleman (concussion). Wide receiver Andre Baccellia and tight end Drew Sample also remained in Seattle with injuries.
