By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
DiAndre Campbell envisioned the moment. The receiver thought about what it would be like to score a touchdown in front of his friends and family during his final collegiate trip to Northern California.
He imagined one scenario, then thought of another.
In the second quarter of Washington's 31-7 victory over Cal, he lined up as the outside receiver, beat a Golden Bears defensive back to the middle of the field, caught a well-thrown ball from quarterback Cyler Miles and somersaulted into the end zone.
“Coming into this game that's all I was really thinking about,” said Campbell, who is from Oakland, Calif. “When we got in the red zone, I just wanted to score in front of my family and friends. It just so happened to be my first touchdown of the season, my senior season, my last time playing in California in front of my family.”
The 11-yard reception was Campbell's only catch of the game, but that one play was a “dream come true.”
“I had the leverage on the corner and just broke across his face,” he said. “Cyler put it out there and I just made the play.”
Once he tumbled into the end zone, he stood up and thought, “Is this really happening?”
Getting the chance to make a play like that is the reason Campbell came back for one more season at Washington. Last year, he was honored as a senior. He was set to graduate and move on to a lower-division school to wrap up his career. But, after meeting with coach Chris Petersen, he decided to return to Washington.
He is squeezing as much as he can out of his final season.
“He's our vet,” said receiver Jaydon Mickens, who also had a strong game with 10 catches for 69 yards. “There aren't a lot of mistakes when it comes to DiAndre. He knows his alignments, assignments and routes. It's great to have that type of mind on the field.”
Campbell was Washington's Offensive Player of the Week with six catches for 71 yards against Georgia State. He is tied for second on the team in receptions with 13 through six games. He is averaging 11.5 yards per catch.
“Everything I've been through up to this point, it wasn't for no reason,” Campbell said. “It shaped me, whether through tests, temptations or struggles.”
For Campbell, Saturday's game was a chance a chance to play close to home. It provided an opportunity to make a play in an important Pac-12 matchup. It provided a memory he won't soon forget.
“Being able to put the icing on the cake in front of my family and friends that have been supporting me through all that stuff is great,” Campbell said. “I couldn't be happier.”
