Washington earns safety after linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala drops pick-six at one-yard line

Washington wound up with a safety the play after a Huskie made a huge gaffe

Talk about momentum swings.

It looked like Washington was going to be up 39-28 in the third quarter on Saturday when Alphonzo Tuputala intercepted a Utah pass and returned it 76 yards.

The problem? Alphonzo needed to return it 77 yards for a pick-six. He dropped the ball a yard short of the goal line and Michael Mokofisi of Utah, a 350-pound lineman, had the presence of mind to fall on the football at the Utah 1.

The Huskies’ defense picked up Tuputala on the next play.

Ja’Quinden Jackson was tackled in the end zone for a safety.

After all that, Washington led the Utes, 35-28, entering the fourth quarter.

And Tuputala has to hope the Huskies wind up winning to remain undefeated so his gaffe will not be as costly as it could have been.