SEATTLE – Washington’s disappearing act inside the opponent’s 20-yard line continued in Saturday’s stunning 28-17 loss to Nevada, leaving Huskies coach Keith Gilbertson flummoxed.
Equally puzzling is the frequency opposing offenses convert inside Washington’s 20.
“When we get in there, we don’t score touchdowns,” Gilbertson said. “When the other team gets in there, they score.”
The so-called “red zone” has been quicksand for Washington, which is dead last in the Pacific-10 Conference in both red zone offense and defense.
The UW offense converts its red zone presence into points 68 percent of the time. By comparison, USC leads the conference at 88 percent. The Huskies are 17-of-25 inside the 20, with 11 TDs. Four of the eight misses have come from either interceptions or fumbles.
Opponents have come away with points on 17 of the 18 times inside Washington’s 20. Fourteen have been for touchdowns.
In its first possession against Nevada, Washington reached the Wolf Pack’s 10-yard line when Cody Pickett threw an interception. A blocked field goal came next, along with two touchdowns.
Extend the red zone just a bit and the news is even grimmer. Inside the 25, Washington had another field goal blocked in the second quarter when a drive ended on the Nevada 21 and fumbled in the fourth quarter after it reached the Nevada 24.
Turnovers have been a factor all over the field, but especially inside the red zone. Washington has coughed up the ball 13 times in the last three games, 10 in the last two. Then there are the three blocked field goals.
Washington is last in the conference with a minus-7 turnover ratio.
Turnovers have ruined what otherwise has been a fairly solid offense. Although not as explosive as last year, the Huskies are third in the conference in passing offense, sixth in rushing offense and fourth in total offense.
But turnovers and red-zone follies have ruined whatever good the offense has been able to generate.
“If you count the field goals, that’s 16 turnovers (in the last three games),” Gilbertson said. “No one is going to survive that. I don’t care how talented you are. It’s killing us.”
At 3-3, the Huskies have lost two straight games many marked on the calendar as victories. And with Oregon State, USC and Oregon on the horizon, the opposition doesn’t get easier.
Block party: Gilbertson said the lack of blocking primarily led to Evan Knudson’s three blocked field goals. Much of that comes from injuries, leading to a change in personnel on the field-goal team.
“We didn’t have an answer for it, obviously,” Gilbertson said. “Anytime it happens three times, it’s not on the players. It’s our fault. They sent guys up the field and we couldn’t stop them three times.”
Still, Knudson’s kick trajectory isn’t high, and freshman Michael Braunstein is expected to make the trip to Oregon State as insurance.
“Normally, when the kicks aren’t blocked, they go through,” Gilbertson said. “He does kick a low ball, though.”
General hospital: Receiver Justin Robbins had an MRI on his left knee Monday, the same knee that he has injured twice previously. Gilbertson said it swelled over the weekend, which is not a good sign. Results of the test weren’t available Monday.
Standout wide receiver Reggie Williams was held out of practice Monday because of a sore back. Corner Roc Alexander is nursing a shoulder stinger. Linebacker Tim Galloway is out because of a neck stinger, as is tight end Ben Bandel. Offensive guard Tusi Sa’au and tight end Joe Toledo (both with back problems) are day to day. Receiver Charles Frederick is getting over flu symptoms, but must regain two weeks’ worth of conditioning he lost while sitting out the majority of practices.
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