SEATTLE – Things have been relatively friendly so far for the University of Washington football team. Yes, its opponents haven’t necessarily been kind, but at least the Huskies got to start the season in front of (mostly) supportive fans in Seattle.
Now, though, the Huskies have to face a hostile environment for the first time when they play UCLA at 7:15 p.m. tonight at the Rose Bowl. Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said that though the Rose Bowl isn’t the most anti-UW venue his team will play in this season, it is still a tough challenge. At the same time, he says going on the road can sometimes be a good thing.
“A hostile environment brings the feeling of you against the world,” Willingham said. “Usually when you hit the road, you don’t have to speak of it, it’s a very physical (feeling). It’s only you and your traveling party, you and your teammates.”
The Washington players agree that going on the road adds a different aspect to the season.
“We’re around each other the whole time,” linebacker Joe Lobendahn said. “We don’t have any distractions, it’s just about football. That sometimes helps us focus more.”
“It can bring us closer together,” receiver Sonny Shackelford added. “We know that most people there are going to be against us, so all we can do is pull together. It can make us stronger.”
It should help Washington that 18 members of its team are from the Los Angeles area, which likely will bring some added Southern California support. They’ll need it, as not only are they on the road for the first time, they are facing a Bruins team that is 3-0, ranked No. 20 and averaging 49.3 points a game, the fourth-highest total in the nation.
Willingham said that though his team has played No. 12 California and No. 16 Notre Dame, UCLA could be the toughest of all.
“They could be the best team we play so far,” Willingham said. “They’re very strong at the offensive skill positions, very aggressive on defense. They’re a good football team.”
Indeed, UCLA is good, and is helping itself on offense. The Bruins have yet to turn the ball over thanks to a ground-based attack led by Maurice Drew and quarterback Drew Olson’s accuracy. The senior, who a year ago completed 57.5 percent of his passes with 13 interceptions, this year is completing 71.8 percent without a pick.
“He’s grown in his experience alone,” UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. “He knows our offense better than anyone else. (He’s improved knowing) where to go with the football and he’s finding open people.”
Dorrell said there’s no magic secret to his team’s ability to hang onto the ball. They just emphasize it in practice and try to limit mistakes. Willingham said the lack of turnovers isn’t due to a conservative offensive plan.
“They’re doing a great job of handling the football,” Willingham said. “And the few that I’ve seen them put on the ground from a fumble standpoint, they’ve collected. So that means they’re doing a great job of not only protecting but of hustling also. And that’s what happens when you play with a lot of confidence. It’s amazing how the ball seems to bounce in your direction.”
Confidence is something that Washington is working to develop. The Huskies are clearly playing better than last season, but that hasn’t equaled wins, and points (21.2 a game) have not been easy to come by despite major gains in their passing game.
“We just need to do a better job of getting it into the end zone,” said quarterback Isaiah Stanback, who will make his first career start on the road. “We’re moving the ball but that doesn’t get us anything. We need to cut out the mistakes, that’s been the biggest thing holding us back.”
Dorrell agrees, saying he’s seen marked improvement in Washington this season, with the only problem being key, momentum-killing turnovers. He said its clear that Willingham has the team playing harder and with more confidence and says Stanback has been impressive.
“(He’s) made some huge steps in confidence,” Dorrell said. “He’s a tremendous athlete, has tremendous legs and he’s throwing the ball quite well.”
UCLA has been successful defending the pass but no good against the run, where it’s allowing 168 yards a game. That means Stanback and Louis Rankin may have a chance to move the ball on the ground and keep the UCLA offense off the field. When the Bruins do have the ball, Washington knows that as good as Olson has been, it will come down to how well it handles the explosive Drew.
“We’ve got to stop their outside zone plays,” Lobendahn said. “It’s about filling your gaps, getting in your gaps and staying there. We can’t have guys trying to do too much. We just need to each do our own jobs.”
“We’ve been playing good defense,” safety C.J. Wallace added. “We’ve just made a few mistakes, either being in the wrong place or making a penalty, that has killed us. If we can clean those up, we’re going to be tough. It’s just about playing the whole game and not letting up.”
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