SEATTLE – It’s impossible to look at UCLA’s season and ignore the disaster the run defense suffered against Oklahoma State.
That would be 462 yards of horror, 261 by tailback supreme Vernand Morency, who followed a huge offensive line to steam roll the Bruins in a 31-20 season-opening victory Sept. 4 in the Rose Bowl.
But the improvement is equally noticeable.
Yes, it was against meager Illinois in a 35-17 win last Saturday, but allowing 208 rushing yards against anybody had to be considered a step forward.
And Washington, which plays host to the Bruins Saturday in the Pacific-10 Conference opener for both teams, has noticed plenty.
“I think they feel like they really improved from Week 1 to Week 2,” UW coach Keith Gilbertson said. “I think in Week 1, they played against a really big and strong line. Those Oklahoma State guys looked gigantic. I don’t know what the weights were, but they looked awfully big and strong. And then they have just a great player at tailback.”
Washington had to have gained some confidence in its ground game, churning out 170 yards against a good Fresno State defense. Although 50 of that total came on one carry by fullback Zach Tuiasosopo, eight of the Huskies’ 20 first downs came on the ground.
Washington’s starting offensive line against Fresno State averaged 304 pounds per man. Tuiasosopo, at 250 pounds, is a devastating blocker. The desire, clearly, is to pound UCLA’s interior.
The importance of running the ball against the Bruins is not lost on, of course, starting tailback Kenny James, who led the Huskies with 75 yards on 17 carries against Fresno State.
“It’s real important for us to come out and play smash-mouth football,” James said, “just run the ball down their throats and open up the passing game.”
But if Washington is salivating at the prospect of playing against predominantly a young, untested UCLA front four, no one’s saying so.
“It’s the Pac-10 opener, so you can expect their game to pick up,” Tuiasosopo said. “UCLA is very strong, they’re fast, and they’re athletic. Whether we’re running and passing, I think that as long as each player takes care of what they have to take care of, I think we’ll have a chance to be successful.”
The Bruins started two sophomores and two freshmen on their defensive front against the Illini Saturday. One, defensive tackle Kenneth Lombard, is a true freshman. Tackle Kevin Brown and end Justin Hickman both are second-year sophomores. End Bruce Davis is a redshirt freshman.
Again, presented with this, the Huskies aren’t biting. Whatever problems the Bruins have had the past few years, talent hasn’t been one.
“They’ve got some young guys up front,” UW guard Clay Walker said, “but they can play. We’re looking forward to the challenge to getting our running game going. We’ll see what happens this weekend.”
Still, it would follow that Washington would have an advantage with a veteran offensive line that, for the most part, is healthy and experienced. A boatload of injuries to the line last season forced some linemen to play before they were ready, not to mention that they were forced to play several positions.
Now, largely healthy and veteran, the unit is becoming confident in its run-blocking.
“We’re fast, strong, smart guys,” senior tackle Ryan Brooks said of the UW offensive line. “It’s a lot more aggressive (than last year), a lot more focused. They want it more.”
Stanback practices: Sophomore quarterback Isaiah Stanback, who didn’t practice at all last week because of a sprained ankle, practiced Monday night, albeit not at full speed. Gilbertson said the staff would continue to evaluate Stanback in Tuesday’s practice.
Gilbertson would not say whether the Huskies would continue the two-quarterback system if Stanback is healthy. He said the ideal scenario would be for starter Casey Paus to play well and not come out of the game.
“It would be nice,” Gilbertson said. “It would be a wonderful, wonderful thing.”
Probed further, Gilbertson said it would take much improvement in Stanback’s health in order for him to play Saturday. The coach said he didn’t know whether third-stringer Carl Bonnell would spell Paus should Stanback not be able to play.
Place-kicker sick: It was discovered Monday that place-kicker Evan Knudson, who lost his job to Michael Braunstein after badly hitting two mid-range attempts against Fresno State, contacted mononucleosis sometime in fall camp and perhaps was weakened in the days and weeks leading up to the opener.
“He didn’t know it and we didn’t know it,” Gilbertson said. “I don’t know what they want to do with him. He may be past the point where he’s bed-ridden. But he’s been ill.”
Short bursts: Tom Cable, former standout at Snohomish High School who is the current offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at UCLA, partially tore a calf muscle Saturday while celebrating a Bruins touchdown. Cable is one of three new members of the offensive coaching staff under second-year head coach Karl Dorrell. Dino Babers, who came from Pittsburgh, coaches the wide receivers. Jim Svoboda, who was offensive coordinator at Northwest Missouri State, coaches the quarterbacks. Cable took over for Steve Axman, Washington’s wide receivers coach. … Gilbertson said freshman linebacker Trenton Tuiasosopo probably will see his first action Saturday on special teams. … Cornerback Derrick Bradley, who missed all of last season after shoulder surgery, re-injured the shoulder in fall drills and underwent surgery Monday. His future as a football player, Gilbertson said, is unknown. … It’s uncertain whether junior tailback Chris Singleton will play at full speed this season. He appears to still be recovering from a broken foot that took him out the entire 2003 season. Gilbertson said Singleton still doesn’t look as fast and doesn’t cut as sharply as he did previously. … UCLA has won six of the past seven meetings with the Huskies, including the past three. … Gilbertson said he would like to redshirt senior guard Tui Alailefaleula.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
