By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
SEATTLE — When the Washington Huskies take the field against Idaho today, they will face opponents beyond the one directly across the sidelines.
It has been more than a month since Washington began its preseason camp in Olympia and the Huskies have played exactly one game. Because of the East Coast terrorist attacks Sept. 11, last Saturday’s game against top-ranked Miami was postponed to Nov. 24.
Therefore, the notion that No. 13 Washington (1-0) might come out flat against the Vandals (0-2) shouldn’t be downplayed. Practices have been hit and miss, perhaps because the team needs to bang heads with someone other than teammates.
"I’m sick of going up against Reggie (Williams), Todd (Elstrom) and Will (Hooks)," cornerback Omare Lowe said. "I need to play in a game."
Besides the emotional toll Sept. 11 took on everyone, the Huskies have the additional burden of dealing with the plane crash the following day in Mexico that killed 16 boosters. Many players went to the memorial service Wednesday.
The question, then, is this: Given an unparalleled week of tragedy, how can anyone expect 18- to 22-year-olds to react?
"It’s been a week like no other," UW tight end Jerramy Stevens said. "There’s been a lot to think about besides football. It’s been confusing. It’s been hard. But maybe there’s nothing else we can do that go out and play football and play as hard as we can Saturday."
UW coach Rick Neuheisel has been mindful of possible emotional letdowns. While it is generally accepted that the postponement will give the Huskies a better chance against Miami, Neuheisel has been careful to avoid comparing the Hurricanes and Idaho, even though he has been asked to repeatedly.
"I consider all games pretty tough," he said. "I don’t factor in won/loss records or anything like that. Anytime you play and a team is trying to win, then it is a tough contest. You can’t ever take anything for granted."
Not only that, but the Huskies have some issues to correct. Against Michigan, Washington didn’t score an offensive touchdown for the first time in nine years. The running game churned out just 69 yards against the Wolverines. Punt coverage was atrocious. And the offense came up with just three points in the two times Washington penetrated Michigan’s 10-yard line.
"It’s difficult to assess improvement when you haven’t played a game," Neuheisel said. "But we have addressed those issues and we will see the results as we get further into our season."
The offense did show signs of explosiveness, however. Quarterback Cody Pickett, in his first collegiate start, was 13-for-22 passing for 199 yards. He and freshman wideout Reggie Williams connected on a 74-yard pass play.
But most important: In Washington’s conservative game plan against Michigan, the Huskies didn’t turn the ball over.
"I’m very excited where Cody is," Neuheisel said. "Certainly, I see lots of room for improvement, but given the opponent the first week and all of the anxiety that goes along with playing your first time, I thought he handled it incredibly well."
Idaho, on the other hand, is a team full of questions following losses to Washington State and Arizona. The Vandals are replacing four of five starters on the offensive line. The defense has allowed 518 yards a game.
Vandals coach Tom Cable, though, says the best days for the team are ahead of it.
"If we go play with the kind of effort we should play with, manage the ball and get to the passer a few times, then we’ll give ourselves a chance to win," said Cable, a 1982 Snohomish High School graduate.
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