SEATTLE (AP) — After getting routed by Arizona last month and giving up 52 points for the second time this season, Washington didn’t look much improved from a defense that was among the worst in the country a year ago.

The last four weeks, during the Huskies’ longest win streak in more than a decade, it’s been the defense that has spurred Washington’s surge.

Washington (7-4, 5-3) enters Friday’s Apple Cup against Washington State not having allowed more than 17 points in any of its last four games. It hasn’t been against the toughest competition, but the improvement of the Huskies defense under first-year defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox has been startling.

A year ago, the Huskies gave up nearly 36 points and more than 450 yards per game. This year, the Huskies are allowing just 23 points and 350 yards per game.