The celebration was, to be kind, disjointed. You'd think that, after 15 consecutive losses, after amassing the longest streak of despair in major college football, the Washington football team would've choreographed a victory dance good enough to make the 1985 Chicago Bears, old-school Kid 'n Play and the Cirque De Soleil all envious.

Instead, winning caused stage fright.

Some players trotted hesitantly toward the crowd. Some tried to play it cool. Some mumbled the words of the fight song, laughing all the while.

"I forgot half the words," offensive lineman Ben Ossai admitted.

The wacky ways they expressed their joy didn't matter, though. The Huskies could've just stood around with their arms crossed, and it would've been a cute scene. Never has an expected victory over a lesser foe felt so good.

The heartbreak is over. The new era can really begin now. Steve Sarkisian won his first game as Huskies coach Saturday, his players shooed the monkey off their backs, and Husky Stadium now houses harmony.

Washington 42, Idaho 23.

Bliss defeats burden. Hope defeats cynicism. Progress defeats decline.

"It felt like a year's worth of winning in one game," cornerback Quinton Richardson said.

The Huskies hadn't won since Nov. 17, 2007, when they beat California, 37-23. Richardson was a redshirt that season, but this was the first time he actually walked off the field as a contributor to a winner.

So, in the closing seconds of this game, Richardson helped organize an ice-water bath for Sarkisian. He and quarterback Jake Locker set up their coach good. Sark didn't see it coming.

"We definitely surprised him," Richardson said, grinning.

Said Sarkisian: "Luckily, it was water, so I wasn't wearing purple or an orange or some color from a Gatorade bath. It was actually a little refreshing. It was warm out there today. It felt great. It's another one of those things you think about when you're becoming a head coach. That first locker-room speech, your first win and the first time you get doused with water or Gatorade — it's one of those special moments you will always remember."

Sarkisian figures to get doused many more times. This performance was the perfect complement to a solid-yet-losing effort against Louisiana State the previous week.

The new offense is dazzling. Locker enjoyed his best, most fluid, game. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 253 yards, threw for three touchdowns and ran for another. If the game had demanded more passing, he could've easily thrown for 350 yards.

The Huskies' athleticism and playmaking from the skilled positions continues to impress. Chris Polk looks legit. Johri Fogerson is a complementary running back, but he caught a touchdown pass and ran for one. The receivers are also showing their improvement, too. With their talent and explosiveness, the Huskies should have one of the top offenses in the Pac-10 this season.

The defense remains a work in progress. Against the Vandals, Washington allowed 412 yards, but only two touchdowns. Idaho had to settle for field goals three times, and the Huskies took some pride in a bend-but-don't-break performance, which included linebacker Mason Foster's key interception and 56-yard return in the third quarter. For a defensive unit that was among the nation's worst for two seasons, small steps must be celebrated.

A win erased any concern on this day, however. These players deserve to revel in their accomplishment.

"I felt really more for them than for myself or the coaches," Sarkisian said. "I felt for these kids because they've put in so much work to get to this point, and they've been through so much. They were as low as low can get when I took this job. It's been a long time to feel victory, to relish victory, to smile after a game."

Since Sarkisian arrived in December, the Huskies have been waiting for this moment. They transformed their bodies in the weight room all winter. They battled like never before for playing time in spring football. They have prepared with great diligence throughout the first few weeks of the season. Now they get to send a message.

"We're a new team," Foster declared. "New coaches. New program."

Do you believe him now?

It's getting easier to have faith.

"You guys get to write something positive!" Sarkisian exclaimed, fist in the air, as he left the postgame interview room. "How's that feel?"

It feels pretty good, Coach, even for the crotchety word-herders.

An unfortunate past can be buried, at last.

Northwest College/Pro Photo Gallery