Washington Huskies 3-6 Overall (2-4 Conference)

This Week’s Score: UCLA 24 – Washington 23

Next Week’s Opponent: @Oregon State

You don’t just go from being a winless team to a consistently good team overnight; even if you make it look like you might early in the season.

After starting the season off 2-1 including the huge upset win over then-#3 USC, the Huskies gave their fans plenty of reason to be optimistic for the rest of the season.

But since then, it’s been a 1-5 skid; ironically enough, the one win coming against another Pac-10 frontrunner in Arizona. Some of the losses have neen particularly heart breaking; the controversial OT loss to Notre Dame, the defensive breakdown on the last play of the game against ASU. But this one might be the worst yet.

UCLA did all they could to give this game away. Two interceptions and three fumbles lost (out of six). When you win the turnover battle five to one against a team that is winless in the conference, there just isn’t any excuse for losing the game.

Erik Folk had the chance to take the lead on a 38-yard attempt with just under 11 minutes left, but missed. With time winding down, Washington looked poised for some late heroics with Jake Locker leading the team into UCLA territory with all three time outs; only to see a Rahim Moore interception end the threat. The Huskies looked an awful lot like their 2008 counterparts last Saturday, just finding ways to lose games.

Chris Polk and Jermaine Kearse were the stars on offense, with Polk rushing for 132 yards on 15 carries and Kearse making seven catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. The offense ended up settling for too many field goal tries, converting on three and of course missing on the last one.

The defense gave up a lot of yards (455), but forcing five turnovers should give your team a good chance to win. Desmond Trufant and Jason Wells both had an interception.

The Huskies will have one more chance to play spoiler this season when they head into Corvallis for this week’s matchup against Oregon State. After that it’s a bye, and then a chance at revenge for last year’s Apple Cup loss against the rival Cougars.

Blame for these pitiful statistics can be placed a lot of places, but the secondary should certainly be near the top of the list. Both the cornerbacks and safeties were exposed, and while sheer talent may have been lacking, there also seemed to be no confidence or continuity within the unit.

Fortunately, the exciting regime change at U-Dub has breathed new life into a program searching for answers. The coaching change is especially welcome on defense, where new coordinator Nick Holt has already changed the culture with more intensity during practice.

He may need to do his best coaching job yet in the secondary (along with DB coaches Demetrice Martin and Jeff Mills), but Washington has the right staff for the job.

Quinton Richardson defends a pass

Cornerbacks

One of the few Huskies that will be assured a starting spot in the secondary is sophomore Quinton Richardson. Last season, Richardson started 11 of UW’s 12 games at cornerback, totaling 32 tackles, eight pass breakups, one interception, and 1.5 tackles for loss. He also returned 18 kickoffs for 352 yards.

At 6-0 203 pounds, Richardson has a lot of size for a corner. He was an all-state linebacker in high school, and many believed safety would be a natural fit for him at Washington. At times, Richardson struggled with assignments and technique last season, but after a year of learning the cornerback position he should be much more comfortable in 2009.

Richardson is a fantastic athlete with great speed, and he will be a valuable asset against opposing receivers that are big and physical. He should flourish in press coverage as well, as he has great strength and the wheels to recover if he is beaten at the line. The Renton (WA) native has looked good for the entire off-season, and he will be counted on as the clear number one corner this season.

While there are a number of candidates for the number two spot, no one has truly emerged from the pack. Coaches were high on J.C. transfer Dominique Gaisie, but he was recently ruled academically ineligible.

Redshirt freshman Justin Glenn had an excellent spring, and could become Richardson’s partner if he performs similarly this fall. At 5-11 185 pounds, Glenn possesses a traditional cornerback build, and is extremely instinctive for a freshman. He is not a burner (4.5), but does possess great quickness and change of direction. The Mukilteo (WA) native will have a chance to secure the two spot at CB if he continues to play well at camp.

Experienced junior Matt Mosley will also be in the mix this season. Last season, he played in 10 of 12 games and started three, finishing with 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble while also returning kicks (7 returns for 178 yards).

Like Richardson, Mosley was inconsistent last season, but he possesses the tools to be a starter for UW. At 5-10 182 pounds, he has the speed and agility to adequately cover one on one, and wraps the ball carrier up well. The Chandler (AZ) native is firmly in the running for a starting role opposite Richardson.

Another experienced option at corner is junior Vonzell McDowell. McDowell has played in 19 games over the past two seasons, with four starts. For his career, he has 32 tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception. At 5-9 180 pounds, McDowell is a tough, gritty corner with good speed and better quickness. He was inconsistent last season and during the spring, but his experience will greatly aid the secondary.

Safeties

Nate Williams dives out to make the tackle

One of the few positives from 2008 was the play of junior safety Nate Williams. Last season Williams finished second on the team with 76 tackles, and added five pass breakups, one interception, and one forced fumble on his way to honorable mention All-Pac-10.

At 6-0 221 pounds, Williams is a reliable presence at strong safety with good size, speed, and instincts. More than anything, he loves to hit and will make a receiver think twice about challenging his side of the field.

The Renton (WA) native must now become a teacher to the younger DBs, as he needs a lot more help this season. Williams has played well early in fall camp, but may be limited in order to get the other players plenty of reps (and keep him from aggravating a nagging knee injury).

The lack of depth at running back prompted Coach Steve Sarkisian to move sophomore Johri Fogerson from safety back to his original position of tailback. He was considered to be a co-starter at free safety, but the coaching staff is happy with the amount of depth at FS.

The slight leader for the free safety job is redshirt freshman Greg Walker. Walker impressed during his redshirt year, earning Defensive Scout Squad MVP, and was also tremendous during spring practice this year. At 5-10 197 pounds, Walker plays extremely physical, and like Williams, he loves to hit. The Bellflower (CA) native will need to continue to impress coaches during the fall, but he is currently atop the depth chart.

Also in contention for the free safety spot is senior Jason Wells.  Wells brings proven experience to the Husky secondary, starting games in 2006 and 2007 at safety, but he missed the entirety of last year with a knee injury (received a medical redshirt).

For his career, Wells has 66 tackles, three pass deflections and one interception. At 6-2 214 pounds, he has good size and range for the position, but his health remains a concern since he has missed so much time during his UW career. The La Verne (CA) native has looked sharp during fall camp so far, and his presence in the lineup will be very important this season.

Junior Victor Aiyewa will provide depth as strong safety. Aiyewa is an outstanding overall athlete, but like Wells, he has been injury-prone. Last season Aiyewa played in only four games, making 17 total tackles. At 6-1 206 pounds, he possesses a good combination of size and speed, as well as solid fundamentals. Aiyewa has a nose for the football, and takes great pursuit angles when tracking the ball carrier. The Fresno (TX) native will be a key reserve in the secondary.

Junior College (El Camino College, CA) transfer David Batts may be involved heavily as a nickel back and backup safety. At 6-1 200 pounds, Batts has impressed early in fall camp and his athleticism should drastically help the secondary. The Compton (CA) native was given 4-star recognition by Rivals.com, and rated as the number 38 Juco prospect in the country last year.

Other corners and safeties competing for time are: freshmen Anthony Gobern, Adam Long, Desmond Trufant (brother of Marcus, has not been cleared by NCAA yet), Will Shamburger, and Nate Fellner, sophomores Marquis Persley and Alvin Logan, and senior Tripper Johnson.

My Take

I want to say everything will be better this season at the third level; but I can’t. This Husky secondary still has a ton of questions, and I haven’t seen many of them answered yet.

While the unit has looked good in fall camp over the last week, the off-season as a whole has been disappointing. No one has really stepped up and taken hold of the second corner spot opposite Richardson, and the loss of Dominique Gaisie was especially disappointing given the speed he would have brought to CB.

Having said that, there is still time for Nick Holt to work his magic. It helps to have one safety spot locked down, as I expect Nate Williams will have another fantastic season. Richardson may still need some work, but he has the tools to be a very good corner in the Pac-10. I also like the depth at free safety, with Walker, Wells, and Aiyewa all capable of contributing.

The addition of 4-star J.C. talent David Batts may be a key this season, and he is being mentioned as a possible nickel back as well as a backup safety.

If players like Glenn, Mosley and McDowell can be serviceable corners, everything may come together.

I trust that Holt and secondary coaches Demetrice Martin and Jeff Mills will get this unit where it needs to be, but it will take time. U-Dub fans must stay patient while the DBs continue to go through growing pains, because eventually these Dawgs should turn the corner.