Huskies have problems running

  • JOHN SLEEPER / Herald Writer
  • Saturday, September 30, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

By JOHN SLEEPER

Herald Writer

EUGENE, Ore. – Although the Washington Huskies got away with its four-man rotation in the backfield in their first three games, Oregon’s defensive schemes and energetic play put that to a crashing halt.

Washington gained a season-low 111 yards on the ground in its 23-16 defeat to the Ducks Saturday at Autzen Stadium. Starting tailback Paul Arnold led the Huskies with 38 yards on eight carries. Out of the four tailbacks, Willie Hurst had the next most carried with four. He netted just 8 yards.

And although Washington went into Saturday’s game leading the conference in rushing at better than 190 yards a game, something’s clearly missing.

“I don’t think we’ve run the ball effectively as we’ve wanted at any time this year,” UW coach Rick Neuheisel said. “I think we have to do better and we really need to evaluate it.”

The evaluation starts with the Huskies offensive line, which had problems dealing with the Ducks’ scheme of bringing eight and sometimes nine defenders into the box.

“Oregon did a great job,” UW offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson said. “And we weren’t as physical, knocking off the ball like we’ve been doing.”

Added Neuheisel: “We’ve got to get down to basics. We can’t lean on people. We’ve got to move them.”

Arnold has received much criticism for being tentative and failing to show an ability to break long runs. In the four games this season, Arnold has gained 156 yards on 35 carries.

Neuheisel, however, says the criticism is unfair and that Arnold remains the starter.

“I don’t know why everybody says Paul is struggling,” Neuheisel said. “He made some big plays for us today. Paul Arnold is a sophomore tailback who’s trying his best. Right now, we’ve evaluated that he’s our best tailback.”

The most alarming stat Saturday was time of possession. The Huskies, who led the Pacific-10 Conference in that department last season at 32 minutes, 7 seconds a game, controlled the ball just 24:28 Saturday, more than 11 minutes fewer than Oregon.

While the Ducks have the reputation as a quick-strike team, they had 229 yards of rushing offense and beat the bigger Huskies up front.

“In think our improvement this year has come at the line of scrimmage,” UO coach Mike Bellotti said. “I’ve said many times that the game starts there. Everybody thinks we’re a flash-and-dash team, but we’re not. We’re going to start with the line of scrimmage.”

After Saturday, that’s exactly where the Huskies will start as well.

  • Autzen proves itself: It was deafening, raucous and at times obscene.

    But most of all, the crowd at Autzen Stadium prevented the Huskies from adequately changing plays at the line of scrimmage.

    Quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo checked off twice, and nothing good came of it. The last came midway through the fourth quarter. On third-and-2 on the Oregon 47 and the 46,153 fans screaming, Tuiasosopo made hand signals to his receivers, walked up to each member of the offensive line and yelled and repeated the instructions to his backfield.

    Unfortunately, freshman tailback Rich Alexis ran the wrong way on an option play designed to go left, and Tuiasosopo was thrown for a 6-yard loss.

    “You can’t audible here,” Gilbertson said. “You can’t even try. No one can hear. Forget it.”

  • Oregon’s short field: While Washington was pinned down deep in its own territory for much of the game, Oregon’s circumstance was entirely different.

    While the Huskies started their drives, on average, on its own 17-yard line, Oregon began its drives on its own 47. On seven occasions, the Ducks started in Washington territory.

    Considering that, Washington was fortunate to have given up just 23 points.

    “I thought our defense was valiant in terms of keeping them from getting too many points, considering they started almost every drive inside the 50-yard line” Neuheisel said. “It was just a rough day trying to get things on track.”

  • Short routes: John Anderson’s 38-yard field goal was the first points Oregon had given up in the first quarter. The Ducks have outscored their opponents 40-3 in the opening frame … Washington receiver Terry Tharps’ 22-yard catch in the second quarter was his first grab in a Husky uniform … Maurice Morris’ 152 rushing yards are the most given up by the Huskies to an Oregon back since Bobby Moore (now Ahmad Rashad) gained 191 yards on Oct. 16, 1971. Morris’ day was the second-highest total by a Duck against Washington since UO officials started keeping rushing records in 1948 … In a very physical game, there was just one injury considered serious. Oregon defensive tackle Walker Templeton suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon and will miss the rest of the season.
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Sports

    Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

    Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

    Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
    Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

    The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

    Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

    Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

    Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

    Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

    Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

    Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

    Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

    Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

    Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

    Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

    Gonzaga sets school record with 33 assists in blowout

    The first half started with Khalif Battle hitting consecutive 3-pointers… Continue reading

    Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

    Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

    Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

    An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

    Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

    Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

    Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
    Seahawks hire run game coach

    Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.