Athletic director Scott Woodward said that coach Tyrone Willingham won't be fired during the coming bye week, and that he remains firm in his intention to make his coaching decision after this season.

Here's my full story from today's paper. (And here's a report on a firing Woodward did make. See the bottom of this post for more information.)

UPDATE: And since the comments below have begun discussing the "North Carolina model" of coaching changes, here's a link to the John McGrath column about that.

And here's more of what Woodward and some Huskies said about Willingham:

“I told you last weekend that I was less satisfied than I was the week before, and I’m even less happy today. But we have seven games to play, and we’re going to play those seven games. And, no, there’s not going to be a change this week. Like I said, (I will) look at the whole body of work of this season and assess it at the end of the season.”

“Coach Willingham’s coaching as hard as he can, and the kids are playing hard. I didn’t see quit in these guys. They didn’t play well, but I didn’t see quit. I didn’t see bad dissention. But it’s not good. I don’t want to sugar coat it, but it’s not good.”

“You don’t want to have your team orphaned -- it’s a bad situation. I don’t think it’s a great philosophy to make a firing in the middle of a season. I just don’t believe in it. … We have class in this program and integrity.”

The players also seem eager to see their coach stay.

Linebacker Mason Foster: “Coach Ty Willingham or not, I’m trying to win, you know what I’m saying. The coach hot seat or anything they’re talking about, I’m just trying to win for the University of Washington, for us. We’ve got to take pride in what we do. We can’t look at it like it’s on Coach Willingham. It’s on us. We’re the ones out there on the field.”

Quarterback Ronnie Fouch: "For a lot of us, this was the reason we came here was because of coach Willingham. We’re not going to give up on our head coach. We’re going to keep fighting and battling, no matter what it takes. We’re not going to give up this season.

Finally, here's a letter regarding the Tuite move that Woodward wrote to the athletic staff:

Here at the University of Washington we enjoy a rich history and tradition of excellence, both on the field and in the classroom. That success is the result of the commitment that those in leadership positions at this fine institution have made to provide a superior experience to the students who attend this school. There are many in this department who have been instrumental in creating the level of success that we have enjoyed over the years, including our current Executive Staff. Maintaining a tradition of excellence, though, sometimes requires change and a new direction. With this in mind, I have decided to seek a new direction for our Olympic Sports programs and I have informed Marie Tuite that I will be replacing her with a new Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Programs. I have not reached this decision lightly, it has been the product of months of thought and discussion and I have come to the conclusion that this will provide me with a fresh start for managing our sport programs.

Marie has contributed greatly to this department during her tenure here and she is to be commended on her wonderful service to our coaches, staff, donors, and student-athletes. Please join me in thanking Marie for her dedicated service to the University. I know that she has many friends in the department and on campus who wish her the very best.

I have begun the search for a new Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Programs and anticipate having an announcement in the next few weeks. In the interim, please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns.

Go Huskies!
Scott

No Huskies were happy after the game, but none were talking about quitting or even giving up their goals of a winning record or a bowl bid.

Here's my game story.

Some game highlights:

Player of the game
Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski had five catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns. His first score was a 37-yard pass from quarterback Willie Tuitama, which gave the Wildcats an early 10-0 lead.

Husky of the game
Defensive end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim broke through for the Huskies first three sacks of the season. He ended with eight total tackles. Washington had come into the game as the only one of the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams without a sack.

Turning point
The game was never competitive. But losing this coin toss was especially costly. Arizona won and deferred. Washington chose to receive, but that doomed them to playing the first quarter going into a stiff wind. Every play for the first six possessions of the game was run in Washington territory. By the time the Huskies saw the other side of the field, they were already down 10-0, and before they got the wind at their backs, they trailed 17-0.
“We made that choice in the second half, to try to give them the wind and hopefully have it in the fourth quarter,” coach Tyrone Willingham said. “I thought about it (in the first half), but I thought it was probably better to take the ball there and get ourselves going.

Two more freshmen play
Washington used its 11th and 12th true freshmen of the season: tailback Terrance Dailey and receiver Cody Bruns.
Ten had played previously, and that was already thought to be a school record.
In their debuts, Dailey carried six times for 18 yards. Bruns was in for a handful of plays and didn’t show up in the statistics.
Coach Tyrone Willingham and offensive coordinator Tim Lappano each defended giving up two more redshirts, citing the lack of numbers at both positions and these players ability to contribute over the remainder of the season.

Injury report
Tailback Brandon Johnson suffered a hip pointer and safety Nate Williams was in and out with back spasms. Receiver D’Ande Goodwin, who had been questionable with rib injuries, played only a single down and left the field in apparent discomfort. Safety Victor Ayiewa, who had missed the first four games with a groin injury, got his first playing time of the season. Tailback David Freeman (ankles) and safety Johri Fogerson (ankle) did not travel with the team. Quarterback Jake Locker did, and watched the game from the sidelines in his game jersey, sweatpants and a cast on his right hand.

Extra points
Two season-long streaks ended. In the first half, defensive end Te’o-Nesheim recorded the Huskies’ first sack of the season. UW was the last team in the Football Bowl Subdivision to get one. In the second quarter, a Ronnie Fouch pass was deflected and intercepted. The Huskies began the day as one of three FBS teams that hadn’t thrown an interception. … Through the middle portion of the game, UA quarterback Willie Tuitama competed 14 straight passes. … Tailback Nic Grigsby has scored a rushing touchdown in all five of Arizona’s games … Arizona kicker Jason Bondzio hit a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter, matching the longest of his career. … Redshirt freshman tailback Willie Griffin got his first career start. … UW game captains were Te’o-Nesheim, Trenton Tuiasosopo, Michael Gottlieb and Casey Bulyca.

Next
The Huskies are off next weekend. They will return to action at 4 p.m. Oct. 18 when Oregon State visits Husky Stadium.

Heading downstairs: It's about time to head down to the field to get what are likely to be some very unhappy and increasingly familiar quotes.

I'll be back later with notes and quotes ... apparently including some words from athletic director Scott Woodward.

Start of 4th quarter: Arizona went to their reserve QB on their first drive of the third quarter. (He led them to a TD). Assuming Willie Tuitama is done for the night, he ends with 17 completions in 21 attempts for 193 yards and three touchdowns.

Meanwhile, UW appears about ready to make a QB change too. Walk-on Taylor Bean is warming up on the sideline.

5:30 in the third quarter: Even the Arizona fans seem to have seen enough. The stands are thinning out, and there are a lot of red shirts walking the streets leading away from the stadium.

Halftime: I just got a few words with athletic director Scott Woodward. He admits that he is increasingly unhappy with what is playing out on the field this season ... and obviously that first half is no exception.

However, he repeated yet again that he is not in favor of, and does not expect to make, a midseason coaching change.

Or a mid-game coaching change.

4 mintes left in the half First the Huskies' no-sack streak ended. And now they have thrown their first interception of the season, a deflected Fouch pass to Tony Chidiac.

Meanwhile Terrance Dailey was in that series, becoming the 11ths UW true freshman to play this season.

11:55 of 2nd Huskies answer first time going with the wind. Big play was a 62-yard pass reception by Jermaine Kearse ... great catch. It was the longest play surrendered by the Wildcats this season.

2nd quarter Obviously a brutal start for the Huskies. However, they have the wind with them this quarter. If they're going to get back in this, it's time.

First quarter stat: Arizona 147 total yards, Washington 50.

First quarter Daniel Te'o-Nesheim just got credit for the first sack of the Huskies season. They had been the only major college team coming into this week without a sack.

Tailback Willie Griffin got his first start. But he fumbled on the second series and was replaced by Brandon Johnson.

Kickoff UW game captains are Daniel Teo-Nesheim, Trenton Tuiasosopo, Michael Gottlieb and Casey Bulyca. ... Arizona won the toss and elected to defer. Washington will receive and begin the game going into what remains a very stiff wind.

4:27 Sitting behind me is a Rose Bowl rep, scouting Arizona, no doubt, which btw is the only Pac-10 team never to have played in the Rose Bowl game.

3:50 Army beat Tulane today, which means Washington and North Texas are the only remaining Bowl Subdivision teams without a win this season. However, Washington's six-game losing streak dating back to last season is the nation's longest.

2:50 The UW travel roster shows that starting tailback David Freeman and starting safety Johri Fogerson did not travel to Tucson due to injury.

However, leading receiver D'Andre Goodwin did, as did safety Victor Ayiewa did. And so did true freshmen receivers Cody Bruns and Anthony Boyles and tailback Terrance Dailey, who haven't played yet, but could make their college debuts tonight.

Also, as mentioned yesterday, quarterback Jake Locker traveled too, even though he won't play to night or for several weeks due follwing surgery Monday on his broken thumb.

2:30 p.m. I've arrived at Arizona Stadium, and I'm feeling exceptionally secure. Most press boxes are content to remind us that there is no cheering in the press box. Here, they also remind you that weapons aren't allowed in the press box. Nor, for that matter, are pets or skateboarding. But since I seldom pack heat in a press box, it's nice to know the competition isn't either.

While walking to the stadium it was impossible not to notice how windy it is. I mean really windy. Windy enough to impact passing games. It's warmer than the Huskies are used to, and there could be some rain by gametime. But the wind is the factor that could end up making a difference.

Meanwhile, we'll stick to our normal gameday blogging schedule. I'll pop in here with any news before the game (the travel roster could be interesting). Then keep this as a running blog through the game. Then after, I'll run down for quotes and I hope you will keep the blog going with comments. Then I'll be back for finals notes and quotes on a separate blog item.

(Reminder: Kickoff is 4:30, and on Versus (and, I assume, on Versus HD), not the usual FSN.

A sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy day has dawned in Tucson.

Here is my preview story from the morning paper.

Among the Tucson papers, here's the prevew from the Arizona Daily Star, including a bit of a shot at Ty Willingham from columist Greg Hansen. And here's a look from the Tucson Citizen, including a story pointing out that it's been a decade since the Wildcats have been such big favorites over another Pac-10 team.

Here's my skimmer's guide to the game:

WASHINGTON (0-4 OVERALL, 0-2 PAC-10)
AT ARIZONA (3-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m., Arizona Stadium.
Television: Versus. Radio: 950-AM.

The series: Washington leads 16-7-1. The visiting team has won four straight. Last season, Arizona came from 15 points behind in the fourth quarter for a 48-41 victory in Husky Stadium. The last meeting at Arizona came in 2006, when UW won 21-3.

What to watch: UW freshman quarterback Ronnie Fouch makes his first start. His path could be more difficult with the Huskies’ leading receiver (D’Andre Goodwin) and tailback (David Freeman) doubtful due to injury. They’ll try to keep up with an Arizona offense is averaging 42.5 points and 423 yards per game, while going against a defense that allows an average of 222 yards (best in the Pac-10 and second nationally) and 15.5 points. The UW defense must contain a quick-strike Arizona offense that has 11 touchdown drives of two minutes of less (tied for fifth nationally). The Huskies also will have to adjust to temperatures expected to remain in the upper 80s at kickoff. There also is a chance of rain.

What’s at stake: The Huskies will put three zeros on the line: no interceptions thrown, no sacks recorded and -- most of all -- no victories. They’s also apprecaite some good news heading into a bye week. Meanwhile, the Wildcats can move two-thirds of the way to bowl eligibility. However, Arizona fans are thinking even bigger, hoping to move among the top tier of teams in this season’s wide-open conference race.

I plan to arrive at the stadium around 2 and will begin the usual gameday blogging then.

The game is on the Versus cable network.