With A Heavy Heart, ZTF Showed Up When His Team Needed Him

Originally posted on FanNation Husky Maven
By Roman Tomashoff | Last updated 11/5/23

The Washington Huskies' defense had a lot of trouble containing quarterback Caleb Williams and the USC offense, but it made a play when it was needed most.

After the Huskies forced a 28-28 tie with 1:18 remaining in the first half, senior edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui stepped up and created a much needed turnover.

On USC's first play from scrimmage following a touchdown catch by Huskies wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, Tupuola-Fetui came around the corner and forced a fumble from Williams, which was recovered by junior edge rusher Bralen Trice.

That play was significant for several reasons. Three plays later, the fifth-ranked Huskies took their first lead of the game and didn't fall behind again on their way to a 52-42 victory over No. 24 USC.

It was also the first fumble recovered by the Husky defense this season, which felt like retribution for Tupuola-Fetui — he was denied a strip sack against Michigan State earlier this season thanks to some questionable officiating.

Finally, Tupuola-Fetui was playing with a heavy heart on Saturday night. His father, Molia, 58, died the previous weekend in Hawaii.

Early in the week, the senior announced on social media that his father had passed away. He received the news when he was boarding the team's chartered jet to return from Stanford.

"This week was really hard, but I knew my dad would want me to play," Tupuola-Fetui told Dave Mahler of KJR Seattle while fighting back tears. "He loves this game, he loves UW and I knew I'd just be doing him wrong if I didn't play."

"I'm thankful that I was able to play well in his memory, that was him playing through me. At the beginning of the game, I didn't even know if I wanted to play, I'm here for my brothers but I'm glad I was able to play a good game."

Tupuola-Fetuir also combined with Trice for a sack to close out the first half, but his strip sack was more pivotal. If USC was able to drive down the field, as it had all game and put points on the board before halftime, it could have changed the outcome.

Instead, the Huskies had a chance to go up by two possessions to begin the third quarter and, while quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw an interception on that drive, it effectively was erased thanks to Tupuola-Fetui's heroics before the break.

Even though Washington's defense was subpar in the victory, it once again stepped up and made a play when it was needed, thanks to Tupuola-Fetui.

This article first appeared on FanNation Husky Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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