SEATTLE — Plenty of big numbers have been associated with Washington’s defense this season — 40.5 points and 507 yards allowed per game, a 67 percent third-down completion rate for opponents, etc.
But the most astonishing number on the Husky defense’s stat sheet through four games is zero. As in the number of sacks recorded by the Huskies this season.
Of the 119 NCAA Division I football teams in the country, only the Huskies are still without a sack. Notre Dame has only one, while every other team in the country has at least two.
The Huskies seemed to put a bit more pressure on quarterbacks in their last two games, but still, a quarterback has yet to go down while holding onto the football. And as defensive line coach Randy Hart pointed out, close doesn’t count on the stat sheet.
“They’re getting there nearly, but nearly doesn’t count,” Hart said. “We’re not playing horseshoes. They’ll get there as they improve, as they get some confidence and go harder. We’ll get there.”
And as defensive players, especially those on the line, continue to fight for a pass-rushing breakthrough, they’ll all aware of the goose egg taunting them in the sack column.
“It’s the most annoying thing that I’ve every experienced in my life,” said defensive end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, who recorded 8.5 sacks last season. “It sucks a lot. You work all week for it, and there’s your chance right in front of you, and you don’t take it, or you’re just not working hard enough to get there. You just get mad at yourself then use that anger to help you the next week.
The Huskies hope they can take that anger out on Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama, and insist they are still capable of getting to the quarterback.
“It’s kind of upsetting, but we know that we’re going to get there,” said defensive end Darrion Jones. “It’s just a matter of keep fighting. We’ve hit the quarterback, but we’ve just got to get there a little bit faster. It’s not like it’s something we cannot fix, we can fix it. We know we’ll get there.”
The Huskies knew they’d go through growing pains with their defensive line, which aside from Te’o-Nesheim, is young and inexperienced. Jones is seeing significant playing time for the first time, as is starting tackle Cameron Elisara. Elisara, a sophomore, starts alongside true freshman Senio Kelemete, and shares time at his spot with another true freshman, Alameda Ta’amu.
Yet despite that inexperience, the Huskies figured they’d be better than this. In addition to being the nation’s only sackless team, the Huskies also rank last out of 119 teams in tackles for loss with 11 through four games. Last season, despite their struggles, the Huskies managed to get to the quarterback. In fact, Washington recorded seven sacks in its season-opening win over Syracuse, and had 11 through four games.
The Huskies recorded at least one sack in every game but two last year (Ohio State and Cal), including a six-sack effort against Stanford, which shut out the Husky defense last week.
Hart says he sees improvement from his young line, and expects to see growth throughout the year. And even thought the stats don’t show it, he answers enthusiastically when asked if he sees signs of good things coming.
“Oh God yes,” he said. “I can’t be discouraged at all with these guys. They’re working hard. I love our practices. The best part of the day is still going to practice. The upside is tremendous. I enjoy the heck out of every one of them, all my guys. It’s just keep working. The answer is to keep working. Keep banging away.”
The Huskies hope a breakthrough comes Saturday in Tucson, and the rest of the defense could use the help against the Wildcats’ spread passing attack. Last season in Seattle, Tuitama picked the UW defense apart to the tune of 510 yards and four touchdowns, and that was on a day he was sacked three times.
Give Tuitama, who is a year more experienced and has a better team around him, all day to throw, and it could be a long night in the desert for the Huskies.
Aiyewa eying his return: Safety Victor Aiyewa practiced for the second straight day, and is hoping to play as soon as this weekend.
Aiyewa, who was projected as a starter coming into the season, has been bothered by a groin injury that first crept up after spring football. He played briefly against Oregon, but has been out ever since.
“Obviously I’m not up to speed yet,” he said. “Just give me a couple more days and I should be able to get back up to speed.”
Aiyewa knows the decision to play him will come down to the coaches, but he thinks he can be ready to play Saturday if asked.
“That’s my goal,” He said. “Just do the best I can. I’m pretty confident in where I’m at that I could play, but that’s the decision of the coaches… It’s all on the coaches.”
Aiyewa’s potential return comes at a good time, because freshman safety Johri Fogerson, who has seen substantial playing time since moving from tailback, did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury.
Thin at tailback: At one point in fall camp, the Huskies had seven tailbacks on their roster.
When the Huskies go to Arizona this weekend, they could be down to just two: Brandon Johnson and Willie Griffin. Fogerson moved to safety to help fill a need there, while Chris Polk, the starter in Washington’s first two games, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
David Freeman, the starter in the last two games, has two sore ankles and did not practice Wednesday. Brandon Yakaboski suffered a knee injury in practice Tuesday, the severity of which is unknown, while freshman Terrance Dailey, who was expected to redshirt but could now be needed, missed Saturday’s game and Tuesday’s practice while battling illness. Dailey did return to practice Wednesday, however.
Contact Herald Writer John Boyle at jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more on University of Washington sports, check out the Huskies blog at heraldnet.com /huskiesblog
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