SEATTLE – Jimmy Newell says the Washington Husky defense, while far from perfect this season, has on occasion exceeded even its own expectations.
“We had two or three series in a row where we held Idaho to three plays and out,” said Newell, the Huskies’ starting free safety. “We were looking at each other, like, ‘We’re really playin’ now.’”
Following their 28-17 victory over Stanford Saturday, the 17th-ranked Huskies (3-1) are second in the Pacific-10 Conference in total defense and first against the pass, an encouraging trend after last season’s spotty performances, especially in pass defense.
It is in the second half, however, when the Huskies have turned it up several notches.
Opponents have outscored Washington 52-41 in the first half, the brunt of the damage done by Ohio State, when the defending national champion took a 21-0 halftime advantage.
After intermission, however, Washington’s defense has allowed just 20 second-half points while scoring 79. The Huskies have not allowed a point in the fourth quarter and just 99 yards.
“I don’t know if we’re wearing them down,” UW coach Keith Gilbertson said. “I think our guys are in good shape. I think our strength and conditioning people have done a marvelous job of getting our people into shape. We can play 70 or 80 snaps. It was really hot Saturday and our guys were OK with it.”
Gilbertson also gives credit to his coaching staff for recognizing adjustments needed in the first half and implementing them in the second.
“Our guys do a great job of seeing what has to be changed and then making the adjustments,” Gilbertson said. “Then our players buy into it and so far, so good.”
Familiar faces: Gilbertson joked that the Huskies and their next opponent, UCLA, made an off-season trade of assistant coaches, but that’s essentially the way it turned out.
Steve Axman was Washington’s quarterbacks coach before moving to UCLA to be the offensive coordinator. In turn, Phil Snow was UCLA’s defensive coordinator before Bob Toledo and his staff were fired. He made his way to Washington, where he now is co-defensive coordinator with Tim Hundley.
“Two coaches and two or three recruits to be named later,” Gilbertson quipped. “There really was no cash involve in that or players. Both parties are saying it benefited us both.”
As protection against anything Axman might tell his new team about the Huskies’ offensive audibles and checks at the line of scrimmage, Gilbertson said all hand signals used by quarterback Cody Pickett were changed.
New UCLA coach Karl Dorrell was Washington’s offensive coordinator in 1999 before taking a similar job with the Denver Broncos. Gilbertson was offensive line coach in 1999.
“Karl’s a terrific guy,” Gilbertson said. “We got to be great friends. Our families and our wives got to be great friends. It will be strange coaching against him and Steve Axman.”
Short bursts: UCLA has won five of the last six meeting with Washington … The Bruins won last season, 34-24, which was Washington’s third straight loss … Washington has had 17 players record at least one pass reception this season. Since 1972, when records were started about that sort of statistic, never have the Huskies reached that number in a single season. Eleven Huskies have made their first reception of their careers … Standout Bruin receiver Tab Perry is missing the season because of academics. He has said he will redshirt this season and come back for his senior year in 2004.
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