SEATTLE – Washington offensive coordinator Tim Lappano figured going against the Husky defense in camp would pay off, and he said that’s about to happen. Lappano said UCLA’s defense is similar to Washington’s in that it isn’t particularly big, but it is fast.
“They rely on their speed,” Lappano said. “Their middle linebacker can run, their outside guys run pretty good, their defensive ends come up the field fast. They’re not really big, but they’re talented rushers. They’re like Christ Stevens and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim. Going against those guys all spring and all summer camp is good for us and now that’s going to pay off.”
Lappano’s biggest concern this week is how the Huskies will run against UCLA’s speed. The Bruins lead the Pacific-10 in rush defense, allowing just 82.5 yards a game, and Washington is coming off of a game in which running backs Kenny James and Louis Rankin combined for 26 yards on 17 carries. Of course, it’s a different kind of defense. Fresno State was much bigger inside than UCLA, but not as fast on the edges. Lappano doesn’t expect the Bruins to defend the UW the same way Fresno State did.
“We weren’t as physical as we want to be,” Lappano said. “We want to get more push, maintain blocks longer, push in there more.”
“We didn’t do our jobs,” offensive guard Stanley Daniels said. “We need to be more physical, we need to be tougher. There’s no reason our running backs should not be getting yards every time they touch the ball.”
The run performance was a disappointment, as the Huskies entered the game leading the conference in rushing after big games against Oklahoma and San Jose State. Against Fresno, quarterback Isaiah Stanback was able to move the ball on the ground but the Huskies could get nothing from their inside run game. That has to change, Lappano said.
“We’ve got to be able to run the football in this league,” Lappano said. “Everyone’s going to have a good defense. Some are going to pose different problems than others but everyone’s going to be talented on defense.”
Keying UCLA’s run defense is middle linebacker Christian Taylor and defensive ends Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis. Hickman has been outstanding with four tackles for loss, including three sacks. Defensive tackle Kevin Brown will try to close off Washington’s inside game.
“They’ve been good so far but we’ve had two good games,” UW running back Kenny James said. “We didn’t do as good as we wanted against Fresno but we just have to get back to doing what we did in the first two games, running physical, finding our holes and getting through.”
Injury update: Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said redshirt freshman linebacker E.J. Savannah would have surgery on his broken thumb today and would miss at least this week. The coach was not sure exactly how long Savannah would be out.
Tight end Michael Gottlieb (broken hand) will return to practice this week, though Willingham wasn’t yet sure if he would be available against UCLA. Gottlieb has missed the past two games. Receiver Cody Ellis (clavicle) is also back after missing all three games. Jordan White-Frisbee is having limited practices on the offensive line while recovering from foot issues. And defensive tackle Wilson Afoa has missed some time recently with a sore back.
Locker looking good: Lappano smiled when asked how freshman quarterback Jake Locker is looking and said, “he’s doing good.”
Locker was named the Scout Team Player of the Week last week.
Lappano said Locker and Carl Bonnell have been splitting time running the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense in practice. He would not say if Locker is officially the No. 3 quarterback, but said junior Johnny DuRocher is not getting in reps at this point. He said having Locker work against the top defense gives the scout team a strong look.
“He’s very talented and he can run, and that really helps our defense when we play a mobile quarterback,” Lappano said. “The fact that he can run and he’s got a good arm.”
Lappano said he’s been impressed with Locker’s work ethic, calling him a “gym rat” and saying he is fairly advanced for a young player in picking up defenses.
“He likes the film room,” Lappano said. “He likes to break down the defense. We taught him how to watch film, what to look for. He has a notebook he takes notes on. He’s learning how to be a student of the game right now, which is what we need at that position. …He’s pretty sharp.”
Kirton getting better: Lappano said sophomore tight end Johnie Kirton is getting better every week and is benefiting from the injury-related absences of Robert Lewis and Michael Gottlieb, who have both missed the last two games. Kirton has five catches for 41 yards and caught his first touchdown of the season last week.
“He’s become a little more physical for us in the run game,” Lappano said of the former Jackson High star. “I like where he’s at in terms of running better routes. I think he’s getting downfield better. I think he’s getting in and out of his breaks better. He’s getting better every week.”
No depth building yet: Lappano said the team can’t afford to play backups on the offensive line at this point, and won’t simply play reserves in order to get them experience.
“It’s hard to put a substitute in when the game’s on the line in the fourth quarter,” Lappano said. “You’d like to be able to get after somebody good enough that you can play them. But right now we have to go with the guys we feel gives us the best chance to win.”
Washington’s offensive line starters have played every down in three games.
JC deadline: Willingham said the deadline for junior college transfers Ashlee Palmer and Aaron Mason is nearing and indicated if they were not admitted by the time school started next week, it would be unlikely that they would join the team.
Victory Club: Willingham said eight players were included in the “Victory Club” after the Fresno State game: Safeties C.J. Wallace and Jason Wells, linebackers Scott White and Tahj Bomar, defensive end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, quarterback Isaiah Stanback, fullback Mark Palaita and receiver Quintin Daniels.
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