A goal-line Washington fumble on a near pick-six ultimately became a safety in wild sequence vs. Utah

During Washington’s home game against Utah on Saturday afternoon, an explosive play on defense turned into an absolute disaster before winding up all working out in the end for the Huskies.

In one of those “what just happened” type of moments, Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes threw an interception right into the hands of Washington linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala, who would run it back to the house for a seeming pick-six.

However, Tuputala would fumble the ball right before crossing the touchdown plane. Utah would recover the ball and essentially punt the ball back to itself deep into its own territory.

Right after that, the Huskies would come up with a huge safety, giving them two points out of the sequence instead of seven.

If you’re scratching your head and trying to figure out what in the world just happened here, don’t worry. We’ve got a full breakdown of how this wild sequence went down.

Barnes would throw an interception to Tuputala, who would seemingly return it for a pick-six.

Washington’s Alphonzo Tuputala celebrated a would-be pick-six too early and dropped the ball, which was recovered by Utah. 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/jjKKAUoUP9

— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) November 11, 2023

You can clearly see the ball sitting right on the field as Tuputala runs into the end zone.

Multiple Washington players ran past the ball dropped before the goal line until a Utah big man comes and picks it up 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/P6p99QQkNN

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 11, 2023

Just like they drew it up.

🚨 SAFETY ALERT 🚨

WASHINGTON GETS A SAFETY AFTER THAT DROPPED PICK SIX

— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) November 11, 2023

Y’all thought I was kidding, trolling or jinxing Washington when I said after the Oregon game they not losing this regular season. They are not losing today. Terrible play immediately followed by a safety. They aren’t losing against Oregon State next weekend either.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 11, 2023

Big brain by Washington tbh. Don’t score the TD. Instead drop the ball, force a safety, and NOW go score a TD.

Turns 7 points into 9 points if they pull it off. Smart!

— BenchwarmerBran (@BenchwarmerBran) November 11, 2023

Washington immediately following this up with a Utah safety is hilarious https://t.co/6pJDdXeNUy

— Sidelines Sports Network™ (@Sidelines_SN) November 11, 2023