Herald news services
SEATTLE — Chris Petersen is always recruiting, although his pitch so far this season has been focused on a different group.
It’s been directed at the fans of No. 8 Washington in the hopes of getting people to show up for a non-conference schedule that’s less than appealing despite the Huskies (2-0) having their highest ranking in 15 years.
“I’m excited about this team and I know our students aren’t here yet, but I just really hope that the fans, that they come out for this game and they see this,” Petersen said. “It’s an awesome group to coach. It’s going to be an interesting season, I really think that. That’s what I hope.”
The conclusion to Washington’s uninspired non-conference slate comes Saturday when the Huskies host Portland State of the FCS. On the heels of wins over Rutgers and Idaho , the Vikings aren’t exactly the most appealing appetizer before Washington begins conference play.
Of course, there is a beacon on the horizon: the Huskies host No. 7 Stanford on Sept. 30 in a game that could be significant in determining the Pac-12 North champion and the first game after classes are back in session at Washington. That game likely will be a sellout, but for this week, Petersen is still being a promoter.
“Back when this thing was really rolling, it was irrelevant for the most part who was on the schedule; people just came to watch them play,” Petersen said. “And I think that’s so much of the storied history of this program when you talk about the greatest setting. All these fans come and enjoy this.”
Portland State (1-1) is closing out two straight weeks facing FBS competition. The Vikings were routed 66-33 at San Jose State last week. But if Petersen has any concern the Huskies may be looking ahead, he just needs to remind his team of what Portland State did last year winning at Washington State and at North Texas.
Portland State coach Bruce Barnum holds the Huskies in high regard .
“We’ll be able to play a team that I bet you will be in the national championship game at the end of the year,” Barnum said.
Here are five things to watch in the non-conference finale for both teams:
1. Can Jake Browning maintain his efficiency?
Thus far, it has been somewhat staggering: through two games, Browning is completing 74.5 percent of his passes (seventh in the nation among quarterbacks with at least 15 pass attempts per game) and has a passer rating of 207.65, good for second in the country. He’s thrown eight touchdown passes and only one interception, and is averaging 10.6 yards per attempt, tied for eighth-best nationally.
Against Rutgers and Idaho, at least, Browning’s accuracy was far better than a year ago. UW coach Chris Petersen said there are still a few things Browning doesn’t see right away, and that he sometimes leaves the pocket when he could have stayed, even if he does eventually make a big play by doing so.
Still, it would be hard for him to be any better than he was last week, when he completed 23-for-28 for 294 yards and five touchdowns … in a little more than two quarters.
Don’t expect Browning to have to play long in this one, either. Portland State’s defense has not been great; the Vikings allowed 66 points and 642 yards of total offense to San Jose State, and are allowing opponents to gain 9.6 yards per pass attempt. There is no reason to think the Huskies won’t score a lot of points, which will likely mean another early exit for Browning, and more second-half snaps for backup quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels.
2. But UW should really be able to run the ball, too.
If there is one quibble to be had about a Washington offense that scored 107 points in its first two games, it’s that the Huskies could certainly run the ball better. So far, they’re averaging only 3.62 yards per carry, a figure that ranks 101st in the country.
Of course, neither of the Huskies’ first two opponents could stop the pass, so there was no reason for UW to commit to establishing the run. But if the Huskies choose to do that on Saturday, they should be able to.
Portland State is allowing opponents to gain 5.7 yards per carry, and gave up 409 yards rushing (and 7.2 yards per carry) to San Jose State last week.
So, the Huskies should be able to move the ball on the ground.
“You’ve got to run the ball to get into a rhythm, and sometimes the run game doesn’t take over until later in the game,” UW coach Chris Petersen said Monday. “But that was probably one of the main things that jumped out (against Idaho), was we didn’t run it a whole bunch early on. We were throwing it more. So I think that might have had something to do with it, as well.”
3. A unique Portland State offense.
The Vikings run a version of the “pistol” offense popularized by coach Chris Ault and quarterback Colin Kaepernick at the University of Nevada. And while quarterback Alex Kuresa doesn’t quite run it like Kaepernick, he’s still a threat, totaling 755 yards rushing and seven touchdowns as a junior last season.
Paris Penn, a utility player who lines up at running back, receiver and quarterback, is the team’s leading rusher with 164 yards. PSU tailback Nate Tago has 159 yards and three touchdowns. Kuresa is right behind him with 152 yards rushing.
And yes, the Vikings are going to run it a lot. Last season, they rushed the ball 598 times and attempted only 241 passes.
But when they do throw, Kuresa is good enough to keep the play alive and find an open receiver.
“If it’s not there, he doesn’t like the look – when they’re throwing the ball – he’s going to scramble and he’s elusive and breaks tackles,” UW defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski said. “And the best compliment I can give him is the guy’s a competitor. He just keeps coming and fighting and clawing. He’s a good little player.”
4. More Nick Harris at right guard?
Harris, one of five true freshmen who have played for the Huskies this season, has seen time with the No. 1 offensive line at right guard in each of UW’s first two games.
So far, he’s earned positive reviews from the coaching staff, and appears to be competing for a starting job despite still being 17 years old.
And with another blowout expected this week, Harris and the rest of UW’s second, third and fourth-string players should continue to play a lot.
5. Can Portland State create chaos?
When Portland State pulled its upset of Washington State last year, it forced a pair of key turnovers, part of the 28 takeaways the Vikings had for the season. Through two games this year, the Vikings have yet to force a turnover. Creating takeaways may be the only way Portland State can hang around with the Huskies.
The News Tribune’s Christian Caple contributed to this story.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
