Kalen DeBoer and Zion Tupuola-Fetui shared a special moment on the first at the L.A. Coliseum after No. 5 Washington beat No. 20 USC on Saturday.

ZTF made one of the most influential plays of the game in the 52-42 win. He finished the game with four tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He was playing a week after his father passed away.

Tupuola-Fetui broke down in Deboer’s arms as the UW head coach told him, “This team loves you.”

Tupuola-Fetui also shared an embrace with co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell.

The edge rusher from Pearl City, Hawaii, is playing his sixth and final season for UW.

He got to USC quarterback Caleb Williams late in the first half Saturday night to force a fumble and give the ball to UW’s offense with just over a minute to play. The game was tied at 28 at that juncture. Washington scored three plays later to take a 35-28 lead into the halftime break.

Tupuola-Fetui has been a staple in UW’s defense since breaking out in 2020. It was only fitting he should make a game-changing play to keep UW’s unbeaten season alive on Saturday.

The Huskies are right in the thick of the College Football Playoff discussion. A huge road win over USC should keep them there. It also moves UW one step closer to a berth in the Pac-12 championship game.