SEATTLE >> The names changed with every score Washington posted in its nearly perfect first 30 minutes.
The guy orchestrating Saturday’s onslaught remained the same.
Keith Price continued his assault on Washington’s record book with four first-half touchdown passes, and the Huskies made their case for a national ranking with an impressive 52-24 rout of Colorado.
Price’s TD passes went to four different receivers, setting the tone for the day. Seven different Huskies scored.
“The guy plays. In the football world, he’s a baller,” Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said. “He just plays the game. I love coaching him. It’s fun.”
In general, it was an afternoon of continued progression for the Huskies in their continual climb out of their 0-12 hole in 2008 back to Pac-12 legitimacy. The win gave the Huskies their first 5-1 start in a decade, their first 3-0 start in conference play since 1997 and almost certainly a return to the AP Top 25 after barely missing out on the poll the last two weeks.
It also highlighted Washington’s ability to handle success. They were favored by two touchdowns, coming off an impressive road victory two weeks ago at Utah. Next week, the Huskies travel to Stanford for a crucial Pac-12 North showdown.
Instead of coming out flat against the overmatched Buffaloes (1-6, 0-3), the Huskies put together an impressive first half, compiling nearly 400 yards of offense. They led 38-10 at the break behind TD passes of 17, 11, 14 and 4 yards by the sophomore quarterback. Price has 21 TDs this season, tied for fourth-most in Washington history for a single season.
New Mexico State 31, Idaho 24
Matt Christian and Travaughn Colwell combined to throw for 202 yards and two touchdowns as the Aggies (3-3, 1-1 WAC) rolled to a victory over the Vandals (1-6, 0-3) in Las Cruces, N.M.
Christian completed eight of 14 passes for 102 yards. Colwell completed seven of nine for 100 yards.
New Mexico State plays Hawaii on Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
BYU 38, Oregon State 28
Riley Nelson threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 87 yards to lead the Cougars (5-2) over the Beavers (1-5) in Corvallis, Ore.
Cody Hoffman had nine receptions for 162 yards and a TD for the Cougars, who have won four straight.
Nevada 49, New Mexico 7
Cody Fajardo passed for 203 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns to lead the Wolf Pack (3-3) past the Lobos (0-6) in Reno, Nev.
Nevada rolled up 598 yards of total offense.
Fresno State 31, Utah State 21
Robbie Rouse rushed for 140 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown as the Bulldogs
(3-4, 2-0 WAC) rallied from a 14-0 deficit to defeat the Aggies (2-4, 0-1) in Fresno, Calif.
Wyoming 41, UNLV 14
Brett Smith passed for two touchdowns to lead the Cowboys (4-2, 1-0 Mountain West) past the Rebels (1-5, 0-1) in Laramie, Wyo.
UC Davis 38, Texas-San Antonio 17
Randy Wright threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Aggies (2-4) over the Roadrunners (2-5) in Davis, Calif.
UTEP 44, Tulane 7
Joe Banyard scored on a 72-yard run and the Miners (3-3, 1-2 Conference USA) scored 31 first-half points en route to a victory over the Green Wave (2-5, 1-2) in New Orleans.
