Washington coach Rick Neuheisel walked toward the USC coach for the postgame handshake, savoring a 27-24 win secured by a backup quarterback and a last-second field goal. It was the 11th-ranked Huskies' 12th consecutive victory. It also was Neuheisel's 16th comeback win in his three seasons (1999-2001) as the Huskies' coach to that moment.
Neuheisel reached out his hand, but Pete Carroll barely went through the motions of postgame diplomacy as his team fell to 1-4, the program's worst start since 1958. His quick, low-investment shake was punctuated by his pointed, "We'll get you next time."
We all know what happens next.