Two years after being asked to leave the program by the previous coaching staff, Tupou is a team captain and a starting defensive tackle.
Protecting their shutout meant so much to Washington’s defenders on Saturday that they made a playful wager with their most vital commodity: fast food.
Whoever got a hand on Sacramento State’s fourth-quarter field goal attempt, they told each other, would be treated with an all-you-can-eat trip to Jack in the Box.
“So I ate good that night,” Taniela Tupou said.
It was Tupou’s right hand that saved the Huskies’ first shutout in two years, blocking the 48-yard field-goal attempt in the Huskies’ 49-0 victory Saturday.