BY TODD DYBAS / SEATTLESPORTSONLINE.COM

If you didn't see anything horrific on Halloween, the Huskies had you covered less than 24 hours later.

Two first downs at the half for Washington's stop-and-slow offense, one of which came on a penalty against USC. The defense was at its ole’ best, unable to tackle when it actually caught a USC ball carrier. The Trojans led 42-0 at the half, 56-0 when it was over.

There was big news out of Bowling Green, Ky., Saturday night. North Texas put up 51 points against Western Kentucky, snapping a nine-game losing streak. That leaves Washington with the nation's longest losing streak among major college football teams. The Huskies have been a consistent calamity for 10 games now. That's right, the University of Washington is less successful than the Mean Green, a nickname which, after the North Texas coach ordered the whole team to be drug tested for suspected marijuana use earlier this season, now carries a different connotation.

As for the hapless Huskies, Saturday was sadly expected. Depending on who takes the cash, Washington was anywhere from a 43- to 46-point underdog. The line proved too low despite USC coach Pete Carroll sending out the backups for a half.

Jim L. Mora and the possibility of him swooping in and resurrecting the program was the topic of the week. It's his father, and one of his less-famous rants, which seems more applicable on this night. Following a regular-season loss to the Carolina Panthers in 1996, Mora turned into a race car in the red. "We couldn't do diddly-poo offensively, we couldn't make a first down, we couldn't complete a pass .. every time they got the ball they went down and got points ..." That about sums up the Huskies' Saturday in L.A.

Occasional bursts from tailback Brandon Johnson; Alvin Logan tracking down a USC linebacker who thought he was going to score following an interception; and defensive lineman Johnnie Kirton inexplicably catching USC running back Stafon Johnson from behind, were the limited highlights.

Quarterback Ronnie Fouch threw three interceptions, including one at the goal line. Washington has been outscored 89-7 in its last two games. Its dropped 17 of the last 19. Willingham is now 11-33 since taking over.

Four games remain for Washington. Next week at Husky Stadium, Arizona State (2-6), now a loser of six consecutive games itself, heads into town. The following week Rick Neuheisel and UCLA visit. Then it's off to Pullman for the Apple Cup -- no truth to the rumor apples are trying to renegotiate their sponsorship deal. Then a season-ender at Cal.

Next Saturday will mark six weeks since Jake Locker broke his thumb on a reverse against Stanford, an injury that brought a diagnosed absence of six to eight weeks. There's sure to be interesting discussion behind the scenes on whether or not to use Locker. The Ferndale product has been insistent he'd prefer to play in any circumstance, though Willingham has consistently said Locker's return will be predicated on what is best for Locker's long-term health.

It's going to be another week of speculation, though it has turned from when Willingham will be out to who is next.

In the interim, the Huskies are just trying to get a victory. Who knew that Barack Obama or John McCain would be declared a winner in 2008 before Washington.

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. He can be reached via e-mail at tdybas@seattlesportsonline.com