Back at practice, UW tries to forget
Published 9:00 pm Friday, December 7, 2001
By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
SEATTLE – So spirited and upbeat was the Washington Huskies’ first football practice since last month’s 65-7 drubbing by top-ranked Miami, observers were left wondering about amnesia.
But after Friday’s practice, players and coaches said the two weeks that passed was more than enough time to mourn a game tied for the second-worst loss in school history.
“You just have to flush it down,” UW inside linebacker Ben Mahdavi said. “At the same time, you have to learn from the mistakes.”
Mistakes, yes. A slew of them. But the idea is to prepare adequately for Texas and a Dec. 28 date in the Holiday Bowl. In addition, the Huskies are not above admitting to having a certain amount of redemption in their minds.
Even after ending the regular season 8-3 and copping a second-place finish in the Pacific-10 Conference, the Huskies have been in the position of almost needing a strong showing against the Longhorns to validate their season. Validation, even though Washington was inexperienced on both sides of the ball, had key injuries throughout the year and had a quarterback (Cody Pickett) who played most of the season with a separated shoulder.
“I want us to play well,” UW coach Rick Neuheisel said. “I want our seniors to go out on top. I think they deserve that. I think our kids will play hard and effectively. It was a hard loss and it stops there. I don’t want to make it a sign of anything other than it was a difficult game and a difficult trip.”
The problem was that the loss to Miami came at the end of the season, which damaged the Huskies in both major polls and ultimately, the Bowl Championship Series standings. As Neuheisel pointed out, three teams that Washington beat – Stanford, Washington State and Michigan – are rated higher than the Huskies, something that wouldn’t have happened had the Miami game been played as scheduled, on Sept. 15, rather than being postponed because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Then, too, the final score simply leaves a bitter taste. Washington players are anxious to erase the notion that any team is 58 points better than they are.
“It wasn’t just that we lost,” defensive tackle Larry Tripplett said, “it was the way we lost. We do feel we have a little something to prove to ourselves.”
The 2001 Huskies have a history of bouncing back from defeats, having played well in games immediately following blowout losses to UCLA and Oregon State.
“As a competitor, whenever you take a fall, the key is to get back up,” tailback Willie Hurst said. “The sign of a good team is how well they get back up after being knocked down. I think this team has that down pretty good. I know we’re going to be up for the challenge against Texas.”
Ware won’t make trip: Reserve tight end Kevin Ware will not travel with the team, having been indefinitely suspended for an alleged fracus with a police officer. Neuheisel said Ware did not practice with the team Friday because of the after-effects of pepper spray in his eyes, but will later.
Neuheisel said Ware could only accompany the team to San Diego if charges were dropped beforehand.
Ticket info: Holiday Bowl tickets can be ordered from the Husky ticket office at 206-543-2200 or online at www.gohuskies.com. The cost is $40 when ordering through the UW, $46 through the Holiday Bowl. Northwest Travel is offering packages. Those interested can call 425-747-8277 or visit www.nwtravel.com.
Autograph session: Husky players will be on hand to sign autographs from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Bellevue Square to help raise money for the Curtis Williams Foundation and the Sparrow Clubs.
