Zion Tupuola-Fetui said there was a point before Washington’s game against USC at the Coliseum on Saturday when he wasn’t sure if he would play.

The Husky edge rusher recently lost his father. And he wore his heart on his sleeve Saturday night.

“This week was really hard, but I knew my dad would want me to play,” Tupuola-Fetui told 93.3 KJR’s Dave Mahler. “He loves this game. He loves UW. And I just knew I’d be doing him wrong if I didn’t play.

“I’m thankful I was able to play good in his memory. Man, that was him playing through me. The beginning of the game, I didn’t even know if I wanted to play, to be honest. I’m here for my brothers but I’m glad I was able to play a good game.”

The sixth-year senior finished with four tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

At the end of the first half, ZTF’s turnover was a momentum-changing play. And, in the end, it proved to be a game-changing play.

His sack on USC quarterback Caleb Williams gave the ball to UW’s offense with just over a minute to play. The game was tied at 28 at that point, but Washington scored three plays later to take a 35-28 lead into the halftime break.

UW had been chasing USC to that point. From then on, the Huskies were the ones pushing out in front while USC tried to keep up.