Kalen DeBoer shares how Washington can stay focused after clinching Pac-12 title spot
Kalen DeBoer and the Washington Huskies have clinched a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game. However, amid a potential College Football Playoff run, Washington can’t afford to lose focus against rival Washington State.
So, ahead of the Apple Cup, DeBoer shared how the Huskies are working to stay focused this week.
“I think with where we’re at right now, it’s great to know you’re in that game,” Kalen DeBoer said. “So, I don’t think we relax, especially with a perfect record that we have going, there’s a lot of pieces when putting our name in the history books of Husky Football.”
Washington started 11-0 this season for the first time since 1991. That season, the Huskies were national champions. The Huskies are also ranked fourth in the current College Football Playoff rankings with a vital conference championship game coming up. It’s easy to see how this game is possible to overlook.
“It’s one game at a time and this game means something to the rivalry that we’re playing in. It means something to winning 12 games, being 12-0. There’s a lot we’re playing for and obviously big picture with the Playoff and things like that too,” DeBoer said.
“We’ll have some fun with the rivalry with having the alumni speak to our team and showing them the importance of it, especially for those who are new to it, whether it be freshmen or transfers or anything like that. So, it’ll be fun and we’ll be up for it. We’ll be ready. It’s going to be a beautiful day at Husky Stadium, place is going to be rocking.”
Washington opened as a 14.5-point favorite in the Apple Cup over Washington State. The over/under is 65.5 points.
Kalen DeBoer on clinching Pac-12 Championship berth
After clinching a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game, head coach Kalen DeBoer explained that it was a great accomplishment but that this team has bigger goals than that.
“I just congratulated the guys just now in the locker room. You’re not backdoor-ing into a championship game. You’re just going in and outright claiming a spot. I know there’s a bigger picture piece to everything that we’re trying to accomplish too. But the first box is checked. You can’t win it unless you get there. I’m really proud,” DeBoer said.
“That’s one of our goals that we set forth when we started the season on January 3rd – to win a Pac-12 Championship. So you have to enjoy it. Otherwise, what’s the journey about if you just can’t, for a moment, enjoy what’s happening and what you’re a part of? The guys are excited, they’re celebrating in there a little bit. But I can honestly say that it’s not some crazy, off the wall celebration. They know that there’s more business to take care of.”