Culp Remembers Hit on Trojans Heard Around Montlake in 2019

For everyone involved that day, the University of Washington football team supplied plenty of memorable moments in its most recent outing with USC, a 28-14 victory at Husky Stadium in 2019.

Salvon Ahmed had his see-you-later 89-yard touchdown sprint. Cam Williams and Elijah Molden alertly and athletically positioned themselves for goal-line interceptions. Heads-up receiver Andre Baccellia fell on Ahmed's end-zone fumble for yet another score.

However, Devin Culp, who made a cameo appearance against the Trojans, prefers to recall basic trench warfare, as it was supplied by fellow redshirt freshman tight end Jack Westover.

It was both an audio and visual moment that likely escaped the eyes and ears of the home crowd of 66,975, camouflaged by those bunched up and trading blows at the line of scrimmage, but Culp came away a credible witness. 

"A lot of people might not remember it, but my highlight was Jack Westover's lead block on a fullback play, and he was the fullback in the game," Culp replayed, relishing his teammate's moment again. "It might have been one of the loudest hits I've ever heard echo throughout Husky Stadium. It was him, one one one vs. their Mike linebacker, right in the middle of the gut."

Westover always has been known as a fearless, physical UW football player but even for him this exchange was a bit over the top. He walked away with a visual souvenir

"I remember we came off to the sideline and his shoulder pad had been dented in," Culp said, still expressing wonderment. "We were trying to fix it and we couldn't do it."

Four years later, the Huskies will play the Trojans once more, this time on Saturday in Los Angeles, looking for someone to dish out more dents, scars and bruises. Presumably Westover since has received a new set of shoulder pads.