Grading the game
by John Berkowitz on Sep 20, 2009 5:45 AM PDT
Email
PrintQuarterback - One of the keys to the game we wrote about was keeping Locker safe for the next nine games and not wasting his health in this one. I am sure Jake has some bruises today but the coaches didn't overexpose him to danger by having him run the ball much. Jake had his chances at times he but continues to stay home and try to pass first and run second. Jake was 21-35 for 237 yards with one rushing TD and most importantly no interceptions against the toughest defense he will see all year.
Grade A
Running Backs- Chris Polk had 25 carries for 71 tough yards against a team you aren't supposed to be able to run against. What was impressive about Chris was how many yards he gained after contact. He kept his feet moving forward and carried guys with him. He was sure handed and protected the ball all afternoon. Chris also showed that he could catch the ball with three clutch receptions. Paul Homer blocked well all night but was in the game plan as a skill player. The coaches called his number a couple of times. Johri Fogerson reinjured his shoulder but returned tot he game.
Grade A
Wide Receivers
James Johnson led the team with seven catches and Jermaine Kearse led the team in clutch receptions that made or break the game. I only saw one drop out of this group all day. Credit that one to Johnson who actually proved to be mortal once in awhile. The Huskies who distributed the ball to nine receivers last week kept it a lot more simple yesterday against the Trojans. Yards after the catch were at a premium in this one. The tough Trojan secondary closed quickly and hit ferociously.
Grade A
Tight Ends
Kavario Middleton had a couple of mistakes that were costly. He took four points off the board when he went out of bounds and re-entered the playing field to catch the ball at the goal line. The penalty pushed UW back five yards and forced them to kick a FG. He also had one over the middle that bounced off his hands that ended a Washington drive forcing a punt. He had a tough night blocking some of the best DE's in the country too. When pressure overtook UW from the edge chances were it was the man that Middleton was supposed to block. Middleton did have two key receptions plus learned some valuable lessons from the experience. He continues to be a work in progress with NFL potential.
Grade C Plus
Offensive Line
Locker didn't have as much time as usual. Despite his mobility he was sacked four times and had to scramble for his life at times. I am sure he feels all four of those sacks not to mention the late hits he received this morning. when we started the season we said that the offensive line had to be at least adequate for Washington to have a chance to do anything this year. They have exceeded that expectation in every single game. They went up against a defensive line made up of four players who will be in the NFL some day and they came out winners.
Grade B Plus
Defensive Line
It didn't look good for these guys during the first two drives. What came to mind to me was how Oaks Christian marched down the field twice to score to open the game against Skyline. It makes you think the opposition is going to put 50 points on you. USC did pick up 250 yards on the ground but Washington only allowed them in the end zone once yesterday. Give credit to Coach Holt for inserting a speedier lineup which added Talia Chrichton at DE and Everette Thompson at DT. That adjustment was a crucial part of Washington's win because the only picked up 139 yards on the ground the rest of the way! Aaron Corp was harrased all day and while he didn't utter the famous words "All I saw was Purple" he must have felt that way at times. USC was 0-10 on third down conversions for the day! It didn't matter if Washington was running or throwing. The defense came up with the answer all day long and had a knack for big plays.
Grade A-
Linebackers
This may have been one of the best games played by the Washington linebacking unit in a decade. Shame on Ted Miller for ranking them ninth in the conference in his rankings to begin the season. Donald Butler and Mason Foster were just magnificent. Butler one our Pac 10 defensive player of the week award and he will likely be named for Pac 10 and national honore this week. Cort Dennison saw some action yesterday and showed the crowd what the coaches have been sayong all camp. He just makes plays. EJ Savannah broke his hand again but that couldn't keep him out of the game long. He had it rewrapped and was back on the field in no time.
Grade A
Cornerbacks
Quinton Richardson lived up to his guarantee with the victory and he was huge in his support of the run. It is nice to have a bigger player back their who can come up and make plays. The Trojans only completed 13 passes all day and only one went for significant yards. Desmond Trufant and Vonzell McDowell saw a lot of action last night. Trufant had a pretty good game when you figure in that he is a true frosh and only was around for half of camp. He will keep getting better every week. He did pick up a pass interference call on what could have been a tipped ball. Other than that he was just fine back there.
Grade A-
Safeties
Nate Williams played his usual tough game bit whose helmet was that flying into the air most of the game? Justin Glenn showed he belonged yesterday with some helmet removing hits. The extra speed he brings to the defensive backfield has been an excellent adjustment for the Huskies.
Grade A
Special Teams
Erik Folk had the biggest day of his lfe as he nailed three FG attempts and a PAT. He also did a lot better job getting his kickoffs deeper which helped our coverage units. The coverage units didn't give up a big play all day and the players were flying around the field with reckless abandon. Will Mahan proved he was mortal with a couple bad punts that could have meant trouble in the second half. He balanced that out with a couple of big punts that pinned USC back. Weather had to be a factor for Mahan who picked up some valuable experience punting in a stadium that is more difficult than most.
Grade A
Coaching
Sark was a lot more conservative on offense than I expected. That conservatism however helped limit mistakes. The lack of mistakes is what ultimately won this game. Nick Holt almost became the goat of the game when he inadvertantly left the coaches box and brushed an official on a big third down play for the defense. The ensuing penalty eliminated a big Washington stop and kept a USC drive going. That drive ended with a turnover. If it hadn't he wouldn't be feeling very good this morning. Coach Sark commented jokingly after the game that perhaps they should put a leash him on the sidelines.
These coaches get it. It is game three and how many players on the team haven't bought into what these guys are doing yet? If there were any non believers on Friday I can't imagine there are any left today. This staff seemingly is doing everything right. They get 110% effort out of their kids every game. What is really impressive is the improvement in so many area's on the team. Kudo's to Dan Cozzetto for getting a rag tag offensive line ready to play over the last six months. What he has done with these kids is the definition of coaching!
Grade A
56 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
WOO! HOO!
…still celebrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Wow
just woke up….oh man. Yesterday was EPIC! That was awesome.
God I love UW and I love Sark and Holt and Lovker and Johnson and Polk and Everybody…OH MAN!
I was a student at the UW in 91, and have been a season ticket holder since moving back to the area in 2003. I can’t remember a more exciting game than the one I attended yesterday. The misery of the last 4 years is now officially washed away and the Huskies are back!
Does anyone doubt these coaches? Is their any doubt that 0-12 has to be squarely laid at the feet of he who shall not be named? Is there any doubt that Jake is the best quarterback in the PAC-10?
(John, you forgot the grade for the linebackers. It should be an A.)
Unsung hero of yesterday
… was Quinton Richardson. He was in on a bunch of big plays and, even when he wasn’t, he was knocking slobber out of people who were either decoys or trying to block him. He showed signs of being a playmaker last year and its coming to fruition now. oh, and he’s only a sophomore.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Our Linebackers are RIDICULOUS
sorry for the bad spelling…
USC has a "suspet" secondary
Sure these guys can hit you like a Mike Tyson knock out punch, but they can’t cover!
I saw this at the Horseshoe and had a feeling Locker could expose the USC suspect secondary. Too young or too bold. Whatever it is USC has issues in their secodary and I doubt that it would’ve mattered had Taylor Mays played. A not-so-polished Terrell Pryor was able to spot some green grass out there vs. USC and I had a hunch a 3rd year starting QB in Locker could do the same and more. That more came in the winning drive yesterday.
USC has more issues then who is playing QB. The secondary is not their best. Arguably the worst USC secondary this decade.
All I saw was purple
Taylor Mays
Don’t kid yourself, he would have made a difference.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
SC Secondary
Adding a healthy Taylor Mays to the lineup is a big plus. Don’t even fool yourself by going there. the kid is going to be a top ten draft pick.
I do buy the concept that you can pass on USC. We have always been able to do that during this run. The one thing they don’t do is give up big plays very often because they close and tackle well. As you said they can knock the slobber out of you.
The worst SC secondary in a decade….I can’t agree with that. I think it is on a par with the other secondaries they have sported in recent years. Give our kids some credit for getting open. Give the coaches credit for putting them in the right places. Finally give Jake Locker credit for delivering the ball.
You have been spouting a lot of absolutes this week Crazi.
They don’t look good. When a not-so-polished Pryor can find an open receiver vs. that secondary w/ Mays, it doesn’t grade very high.
Now in no way, shape, or form am I disrespecting what our kids did yesterday. I mentioned that we need to attack the underneath routes in order to force the SC LBs to cover, then I mentioned we needed to go over the middle to open stuff up.
But I am going to stand by my words, I think USC has some secondary issues and are keeping it under wraps as any team should. Taylor Mays is a stud, I agree. But one kid doesn’t make the secondary great. Now if he were a CB he could possibly take away half the field due to him being a lock down corner. But he isn’t, where he has to rely on youngsters to play up on receivers.
USC has a suspect secondary and the college football playing world is about to see it.
All I saw was purple
USC doesn't have secondary issues...
… and I don’t remember Terrell Pryor finding too many open receivers. USC always plays deep safeties. We worked the middle and the flats meticulously and Jake was very accurate. Because he is a threat to run the LBs were not able to over commit to covering the middle/short parts of the field thus creating space for our receivers. Mays not being there was clearly a factor, but it would not have made that much of a difference because we still were not able to generate much YAC. Our gameplan (enabled by our QB) was better and we executed without TOs. Put Mays there, we probably are able to execute the same gameplan because of how he plays a deep centerfield.
But I still don’t see anyone being able to throw bombs on that robust secondary at USC.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Gekko we are talking about Terrell Pryor. Have you seen him under center lately? Actually he is a spread guy so no on the “under center” thingy. But in the first half the sweater vest was calling a lot of shots down field and Pryor found a few (short, intermediate, and verts) and if I recall he completed some good passes. Not a lot but almost enough for the win.
I think the sweater vest lost that game for tOSU. Why? Because in the first half tOSU was rolling and Tressell was very aggressive in play calling. 2nd half? Not so much. Tressell came out in the 2nd have and got back to his conservative ways. Now Sark went conservative too, but Locker is a more polished QB then Pryor. And if Pryor could find open targets down field (1st half) then I knew Locker could jump on USC’s secondary.
Yeah you’re right. I’m sure USC’s defense was spying to see if Locker was going to run- he didn’t and it was a brilliant call just to run when absolutely necessary on his part. Yet why didn’t Pryor get the same attention as Locker?
USC is still USC, I’m not fooling myself. But you have to look into USC and see how to gameplan them. For sure they have QB issues- we all agree on that part. Defensively you have to look for a hidden weakness. The only logical weakness in USC’s defensive armor is the secondary. Still daunting, but exploitable if you ask me. Still good, but against Ohio State and Washington, it appeared to me that USC’s coverage wasn’t as crisp as it has been. Just my opinion…
All I saw was purple
Pryor
I watched USC/tOSU and I don’t remember Pryor hitting too many passes. If he completd more than 10, I’d be surprised. He had the one long catch and run that Taylor Mays whiffed on, but that was much more about the YAC and had little to do with Pryor “finding open receivers” downfield.
That USC secondary is very strong. Their scheme is what was beat by us, not their athletes.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
pathetic
Sorry, but as a passer Pryor was pathetic always underthrowing to his receivers. But he is a freshman.
Coz
Besides Nick Holt, coach Coz has done a remarkable job too. How pathetic our O line played last season. To see the running game open up and to see Jake still standing after the ball is out is awesome.
Coz is basically the only cool and collected assistant we have. He has too. Because so much rides on offense as to how the O line plays. O linemen have to do their job over and over and over … No time to celebrate anything. You’ve got to come right back and do it again. We can’t have too many highs and too many lows. This is the reason why Coz is tougher then [explicit] on his players and doesn’t even flinch when his O line kids do something good.
No time to celebrate because you have to line up again to do it again. The only time our O line should celebrate is when we pay dirt! Right now everything is clicking as it should and Coz is responsible.
Go Coz! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Aftermath
I am still logging on about every hour waiting for some 2010 commitment news. If these young high school players had any questions for why they should be a dawg, the game last night should have answered it. Sark is our savior.
You're a much kinder grader than the LA media
Filed under “What have you done for me lately,” check out the LA Times.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-plaschke20-2009sep20,0,1208593,full.column
http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-dufresne20-2009sep20,0,4312833.column
A love etched in stone?
never have been able to stomache Plaschke
he just seems to be all over the place. wonder how much of his research is original.
I'm tired of next year. Win now!
by wishfulthinking on Sep 20, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
AP Poll is out
UW is #24!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Question?
Can somebody tell me when was the last time Washington was in the top 25 polls? That game was one of the ages! A generational-sized upset. One that will define this generation of new Huskies. And the cornerstone of the rebuilding of a perennial top 10 program.
Miami is back
Michigan is back
Washington is back
The stars are realigning!
All I saw was purple
Last time we were ranked...oh man
I know that SI had us at 25 after we beat Boise State 2 years ago but not the AP….probably 2001 was the last time we were ranked AP
Next test: Playing and winning on the road
I agree with Lear on one particular issue. Stanford is going to be a measurable game. Reason No.1: Playing and winning on the road.
So far we played really well, but every contest was home field advantage. Stanford is going to test us in every phase of the game. However I think we might play pretty good on the farm.
The season schedule seems to be “perfect”. How perfect? The LSU opener was stunning to say the least. We matched LSU punch for punch, out-played the Bayou Tigers, and it wielded a tremendous amount of confidence.
The Idaho game? Our first victory- even though it wasn’t spectacular we did manage one critical element of the game, that is winning!
The USC game? Caught them at the right time. Had all the confidence in the world, and made us a very strong team both mentally and physically. This team is charged for the duration of the season, minus any injuries [knock on wood].
The upcoming Standford game? Our first road game. What other venue would be better in order to learn how to play and win on the road? They don’t have a boisterous and ruckous fanbase and really never truly fill out their new digs. The Stanford game is a must win game for many reasons.
1) We’ve got to sustain momentum.
2) Learning to play and win on the road- this venue is perfect!
3) Halfway to becoming bowl eligible, and the beautty of it- it’s only week 4 fellas!
Stanford is a must win in many ways. No let downs, no USC-type hangovers. Come monday we’ve got to put the win over USC in the closet. Jimmie Harbough is a crafty coach and their is no doubt he’ll play to win.
I Bark for Sark! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Plus
Stanford’s not the most intimidating place to play
by hairofthedawg on Sep 20, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
agreed.
We are going to be favorites in a bunch of games that are going to be tough to win. Can the Dawgs summon up the same emotion and commitment in the light of this success. If only because of the mistakes and missed opportunities in this last game, I say yes.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
We agree: how sweet!
Obviously I agree, the Stanford game will prove where we are at, and how for real we are. Things are shaping up very nicely for Sark and the Dawgs, Stanford has got to be the most quiet stadium in the league. They too are a one dimensional team, do just like USC, stack the box and make them beat you in the air. We just need to show up and play with the same intensity we did on Saturday, no letdowns.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Crazidawg I agree with your post – except “halfway to becoming bowl eligible” – we are only a third of the way – still a lot of football to be played.
Also does anyone have any thoughts on Jake if they are going to unleash him and let him run more? Also is it just me or does Jake look slower this year than in past years?
he was talking about winning at Stanford getting us to half-way to bowl eligibility
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Legendary Locker!
He may appear slower because he isn’t running. Sark wants Locker to use that running talent only when absolutely necessary. The days of Locker taking a QB counter off tackle are officially over. We cannot afford to lose his presense to injury. Locker has playmakers all around him and they’ve all developed into big time players. I am completely flabbergasted by the way Johri Fogerson has blossomed into a legit threat out of the backfield. Polk is a sturdy young RB that can move chains, and every receiver is catching balls.
No need to risk injury to Locker when everybody is playing a HUGE role in the success.
All I saw was purple
Nope, he's not slower, USC and LSU are VERY fast.
I expect to see him break more runs against the weaker defenses that are ahead. Don’t forget, USC and LSU are very fast and very physical, don’t risk the guy who makes the offense work.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
big surprise
I am still in awe of the instant turnaround in the defense from last to first almost. We expected to have offense with Jake running the show but the defense is a major surprise, bigger than major, major major. Anything is possible now. Can’t wait for the new commitments to come in. Yah, and on national TV too. Keep it up DAWGS.
As an 18 year old
how could you not want to be a part of this?
Actually Purple..
If it’s bigger than major that would make it at least Colonel.
Sorry, still in a great mood from yesterday. Go Dawgs!!!!
"Anytime, Anyplace"
"Life is hard, it's harder if you're stupid." - John Wayne
less complicated
I almost forgot and am much relieved willingham took the “prevent defense” and “prevent offense” playbooks with him. Or maybe they got lost in the shuffle. Hopefully they stay lost. Especially the PREVENT DEFENSE, which almost guarantees a loss. The end zone is always in sight, seconds away. My blood pressure stays in check too. Rushing three after rushing four the whole game makes no sense at all. ANY quarterback can pick his way down the field with no threat of a pass rush. My sermon for today. Been there and am sorry for it.
We Better Start Believing
Quote Steve Sarkisian:
“We said early on that it wasn’t going to take us very long,” Sarkisian told reporters on Saturday. “I think maybe some people outside our own little domain thought that that was just press-conference-speak.”
WOW
by bigdawgdaddy999 on Sep 20, 2009 12:16 PM PDT reply actions
Recruiting
This has to make recruiting a lot easier for the coaching staff. Hey, lets get some five star recruits now. Awesome job Dawgs!
Five Star Recruits
There are only 50 five Star recruits nationwide.
Jake Heaps is the only five star we were in on.
by John Berkowitz on Sep 20, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Load up on 3 and 4 star recruits
If we can continue in that direction, what a foundation it will build. Is there much difference between a 3, 4, or 5 star? Fogerson has become one of the it guys on this team, how many stars did he get coming up?
All I saw was purple
let's load up on talented players who want to be at UW as their first choice.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
five star
If recruited by USC or Notre Dame you automatically become a five star. Sells the subscriptions. Red meat.
Exhausted
I don’t know about you guys….the ones that went to the game, but I am still exhuasted from yesterday. WE did’nt leave the South lot until 7:00 pm.
by bigdawgdaddy999 on Sep 20, 2009 5:57 PM PDT reply actions
I got out at 6PM bdd999...
…I made it home to Richland just after 9PM…OK I drove fast and yes I’m STILL tired but man was it worth it!!!!!!! Somehow even after my voice was gone, I found a way to yell! Don’t really know where I got the energy but it WAS an inspiring performance that INSPIRED the fans!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Crowd Noise
Here’s a bit that I found interesting. A friend of ours, who we sit with at the game, had a friend visiting from SoCal. That friend is a friend of the the USC band leader, and asked the band leader about crowd noise. The USC band leader reportedly told her it was louder at Husky Stadium yesterday than it had been for them at the horseshoe in Columbus the week before.
I realize it’s complete third-hand hearsay, but our 61,889 at Montlake is louder than tOSUs 105,000! GO DAWGS!
It is the way the stadium is built
the two decks deflect the noise, hold it in, and direct it down to the field.
by John Berkowitz on Sep 20, 2009 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions
You said what I said...
..Husky Stadium was rockin’! I don’t care if it was only 61000 those dawgfans got it done!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
College Football News Grade of the Game
What It All Means:
Jake Locker will be the star coming off the win over USC thanks to his tremendous final drive to win the game, but Washington beat USC because of its defense. Three takeaways and coming up with ten stops in ten chances on third down, along with a fourth down stop, was the reason for the win. UW didn’t get much pressure on Aaron Corp, but the back seven was swarming and came up with every tackle needed to give the struggling offense a shot. Remember, this is a team a game removed from being on an epic losing streak. Now it’s in the hunt for the Pac 10 title.
From a Trojan's fan
Hi guys, congrats on the win, I was there for the game rooting for my beloved trojans, I root for UW as my second team, my wife goes to UW. Now run the table in PAC-10 so UW go to the rose bowl, and trojans goes to other BCS bowl. Good luck!
Trojans
I have a lot of respect for USC and always have. I think Pete Carroll is one of the greatest coaches of all time and he handed the unexpected loss with the usual class. It’s good to see the uW/USC rivarly back on track again.
by John Berkowitz on Sep 21, 2009 6:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Arizona game time?
Sorry to barge in with an off the wall question here, but does anyone know if the start time has been set for the Arizona game. My wife and I have ordered tickets and will be down in Phoenix on a condo hunting trip and need to set up our return flight to Seattle. Any help would be appreciated. I did check the UW site and nothing that I could find. Thanks, Tom
I don’t think we’ll know for sure the game time until after the Stanford game – it all depends on what happens with TV for the game, and I don’t think that info will come out for another week.
I agree. I don’t think we’ll see a game time set until after the results of the Stanford game.
If we win, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 12:30 start time with ABC picking up the game. If we lose then 3:30 and FSN seems more likely to me, although FSN could choose 12:30 as well I believe. I guess ABC/ESPN could even ask for another night game. TV is clearly driving the bus.
Cal and USC both have byes that week, so we won’t be fighting them for TV time. Oregon plays UCLA that day, and coming off a blow-out loss to California next week I don’t think we have to worry about fighting them for the prime TV time either.
An Idea What Game Time Is For...
…the mighty ducks! Can’t wait to knock their quackers off!!!!!!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on UW Dawg Pound
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
