The Wiz of Odds

Arizona Cheap Shot

Totally unnecessary late hit by Arizona's Vuna Tuihalamaka, who flattens Washington's James Johnson during the fourth quarter of Saturday night's game in Seattle. The Wildcats led at this point, but eventually paid the price, with the Huskies rallying for a 36-33 victory.

Notre Dame's 'Bush Push'

Notre Dame raised hell in 2005 when Reggie Bush pushed Matt Leinart into the end zone for the winning touchdown with three seconds left in USC's 34-31 victory. The illegal play became known as the "Bush Push."

The Fighting Irish were the ones doing the pushing on Saturday against Washington. It's clear from this video that not only was running back Robert Hughes' forward progress helped illegally by several of his beefy linemen (note No. 59 Chris Stewart pulling Hughes toward the goal), but the ball fails to break the plane of the goal before his right knee hits the ground.

Nonetheless, the pulling and pushing continues until Hughes ends up in the end zone for a successful two-point conversion, a key play leading to overtime in Notre Dame's 37-30 victory.

Washington's Winning Drive

A look at Washington's 10-play drive that resulted in the game-winning field goal against USC. Quarterback Jake Locker was spectacular on the drive, twice converting on third down, including a third-and-15 situation.

Washington

The good news: The Huskies return 18 starters. The bad news: These guys have contributed to 14 consecutive losses, the longest skid in the land. OK, so we've established that there's nowhere to go but up for this once-proud program, and former USC assistant Steve Sarkisian was brought in to lead the Huskies back to the promised land. He's not getting breaks from the schedule-maker. Washington plays host to Louisiana State and USC and travels to Notre Dame in its first five games. Thanks to Amy!

Willingham Still Getting Paid by Notre Dame

Tyrone Willingham is laughing all the way to the bank.

Although he was fired as Notre Dame's coach after the 2004 season, he was still on the university's payroll as of June 30, 2008. This according to the latest Form 990 federal tax form that was filed by the university and obtained by the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

Willingham was paid $650,000 from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, the third year in a row he has been paid that sum since his firing.

That is higher than the base salary of current coach Charlie Weis and makes Willingham the second-highest paid employee on Notre Dame's payroll who is not an officer, director or trustee.

Latest Sign That the Economy Has Gone to the Dawgs

Washington fans are having to dig a little deeper to come up with money for season tickets this fall and for many, the funds simply aren't there.

A state jobless rate of 9.2% in March was not lost on Husky officials, who have unveiled a plan called "Dawgs Supporting Dawgs."

The plan calls for fans to make donations to help support fellow Huskies who could not renew their season tickets for 2009.

"This will be a good opportunity for people to be able to hold on [to their tickets]," associate athletic director Roy Shick said.