Grading the Game - Arizona
by John Berkowitz on Oct 30, 2011 2:30 PM PDT
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PrintChris Polk was special on Saturday night. He scored five touchdowns (four on the ground and one through the air) and became the first player in Husky history with over 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in a game as the Huskies slipped by Arizona 42-31.
This was a solid win over an Arizona squad that has a lot of fight left in it. I really enjoyed watching this game. Both of these squads approached the game with a high level of energy and effort. The key to the game for UW was winning the battle of the red zone. (Limiting the Cats to 3's rather than 7's.)
The Huskies weren't close to being flawless. They could have blown it open in the third quarter if a freak pick six hadn't occurred. The win pushes Washington's record to 6-2 heading into a pivotal game with Oregon next weekend in what will be the finale for old Husky Stadium.
Quarterback
We have all seen Keith Price play better. He and the entire offense started the game a little slow and slightly out of sync. For the evening he was 16-30 with only one TD pass. Tipped balls were his enemy last night. Two of his three interceptions came from tips. He also had a couple of passes that were batted down to the ground by the Cat defense. The 91 yard pick six in the third quarter was just brutal. Keith really needs to take it back to a higher level next week against Oregon if the Huskies expect to compete with the Duckies and the Trojans. - Grade B Minus
Running Back
The coaches fed the beast that is Chris Polk with 34 carries who responded with 144 yards and four rushing TD's. He also had four catches for 100 yards and a TD catch. This might have been Polk's most dominating game as a Husky in a career made up of dominating games. Unsung hero Jonathan Amosa continues to block well on almost every play. 18 career games for Chris Polk with 100 or more yards which is a school record. - Grade A Plus
Receivers
Second straight sub par performance in a row for these guys. Way too many tips, bobbles, and drops. If you take away the performance of Chris Polk who had a monster day (4 catches - 100 yards - 1 TD) you really don't have much that stands out other than the possible emergence of Kasen Williams who had a couple of nice grabs. - Grade - C
Offensive Line
When your offense puts up 42 points and nearly 500 yards your offensive line is probably doing a few things right. They weren't perfect because Price was sacked twice and he felt the pressure at times but they got the job done. Polk and Price make these guys look a lot better than they are. They need to kick it up a notch or two next week. Grade - B Minus
Defensive Line
The Huskies completely shut down the Arizona running game which was one of the key to the victory. They moved Thompson back inside for most of the game and he responded by having one of is better game of the year. Overall I think these guys played with a lot of energy and they did a nice job of putting pressure on Nick Foles. - Grade B
Linebacker
Cort Dennison had a great game. He had eight tackles, an interception, and he did a great job of supporting the young LB's flanking him on both sides. Timu and Fui had their best games so far this season. - Grade B
Secondary
Overall I think these guys did a good job despite giving up nearly 400 yards. We all knew going in that Arizona was going to pick up a bunch of yards through the air and they did. The good news was they didn't pick it up in big chunks. Tackling is still too sloppy for my taste but they helped hold the Wildcats to 31 points which was a pretty good performance. Anthony Gobern had some nice moments. Sean Parker keeps getting better every game. He is pretty fun to watch. Nate Fellner had a nice interception early in the third quarter. - Grade C Plus
Special Teams
Kevin Smith and Jessie Callier did a real nice job on kickoff returns. Remember when we didn't have a return threat? I think it is safe to say that Smith is going to take one to the house before the year is over. Coverage was decent but it needs to be much better against Oregon. - Grade B
Coaching
Sark and his staff did a nice job getting the kids focused and ready to play this week. It's tough bouncing back from a humiliating loss but they were able to put that behind them and pick up an important win. I thought he did a nice of calling the game even though his players weren't as sharp as usual.
The Husky defense produced four turnovers and picked up two critical ones in the fourth quarter which cemented the victory. The Arizona offense only scored two touchdowns which was huge and showed red zone superiority. Coach Holt obviously made some changes during the week and had a decent plan going into this game which ended up working pretty well.
Grade B Plus
Special Mention for Pac 12 Officials
Michael Hartvigson had a tremendous catch that was taken away by the Pac 12 refs on a terrible call. Hard to believe that these jokers still got it wrong after the review. That was one of the worst reviews I have ever seen. How can you call it incomplete after the guys runs with it for three or four strides?
The targeting call on Nate Fellner in the third quarter was a complete joke. It was simply a clean hit on a receiver crossing the middle. Crap calls like that can change the outcome of the game. These officials were simply terrible.
Sark - "I don't get it. I'm not going to get into it because I'll say something stupid and I'll get fined for it. I don't understand it."
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Wait.
Was that just a sleezy way to chime in with “First.”
Kearse & Kasen
Would love to see Kasen getting a few more of Kearse’s 1st & 2nd down reps. The drops are killing me, and Kasen’s starting to come on even in fairly limited PT.
Does anyone have a vid of that blown call?
Unofficial Sounder Fan Club President - New Mexico Division
They really held them to 23 points
8 came as the result of that pick 6.
by B Money on Oct 30, 2011 3:41 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Replay booth
This is not the first time I have seen these refs blow a call on the replay. Back when it was the Pac 10 Notre Dame came into Stanford for their annual showdown and Irish Receiver David Grimes made one of the most amazing catches I have ever seen in my life. The call on the field was touchdown, but reversed the call.
You know the rules, they need conclusive evidence to overturn a call. There was nothing close. Watch the video here to see it for yourself. They robbed the Irish of 6 points because of this, but worse, they robbed a young man of the greatest play of his football career. Tragic.
And then there is this...
I’m not sure if these were Pac 10 refs or not, but this was horrible as well.
Polk
Maybe Polk could be enticed to stay with the challenge of beating the 2011 Nat’l Champs in Baton Rouge next September? We can dream.
by Gig Harbor Husky on Oct 30, 2011 3:59 PM PDT reply actions
He keeps saying that he wants to stay...
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 30, 2011 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree but
said same for Locker. Whatever he decides wishing him the best he is the “War Daddy”
by lorenzothedog on Oct 30, 2011 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Definitely want the best for him.
I’m behind him whatever he decides to do, if he asked my opinion I’d tell him to head to the NFL.
Locker needed the college experience to polish his skills.
Polk doesn’t. He’s ready.
it really all depends on how badly he really wants the record...
…. because getting it this year isn’t in the cards – but next year is a sure thing.
still, once his family and "advisers start chiming in his ear, a different decision may come.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
He loves going to school...
He wants to get his Masters. He loves being a Husky. He knows you only get to do this once.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 30, 2011 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
If Chris Polk leaves early he'll be a 2nd to 4th round pick.
Runningbacks are not in demand these days.
Only Mark Ingram went in the 1st round last year.
Better to stay and playout your senior season and maybe get into the first round.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Don't believe the hyperbole, it's like a murder spree, get sniped verbally.
What?
You say in the same post that RBs are not in demand (implying he won’t go in the 1st round), and that he should stay to improve his stock (implying that RBs may be in demand in the future enough that he could improve enough to become a 1st round pick).
How will coming back improve his draft position at all?
More tape, more stats, more time to hone his craft.
Coming out early is only wise if you’re trying to get into the top half of the first round.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Don't believe the hyperbole, it's like a murder spree, get sniped verbally.
I would assume that Lattimore will declare next year.
Not to mention some other decent junior RBs who may not declare after this year for the same reason. Polk can’t wait. He’s already had injuries and he really can’t afford to risk coming back and suffering any more.
How about the fact that he only has until he's 30 to make NFL money?
There’s no way he will be drafted any higher next year than he would be this year. It’s not like he will get faster, tougher, or more elusive. He’s already improved his receiving skills. He needs to start earning time in the NFL and get his second contract so that he can really get paid.
You’re supposed rule is not at all true, and isn’t valid anyways considering there is no way he could possibly make himself look better to NFL scouts.
It really depends on his combine
Nothing is for sure until the scouts can measure you up. 2nd to 4th round sounds like a crazi guess, right John? LOL :)
All I saw was purple
The problem with being a running back is...
your NFL career is mostly determined by the number of hits you take, and most running backs don’t make it past the age of thirty, so it’s probably in his best interest to leave.
In Jake’s case, I was in complete agreement with his decision to stay, but I would probably leave if I was Polk.
"The same thing that will make you laugh will make you cry." Ray Lewis
by Carne Guisada on Oct 30, 2011 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Season or Career?
He can definately still get the career record. 700 or so yards in 5 games…he can get it for sure.
by B Money on Oct 30, 2011 5:14 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Career record
is well within reach for polk. He needs 527 yds with 5 games to go. thats about 106 ypg. Since his season average is 127, it shouldnt be a problem. Love the guy and hope he comes back, but he really should go
They include the Bowls now
So he actually has 6 games to go.
My advice would be for him to get his masters and then go in another field of work that isn't so lifespan-shortening.
M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage
Or he could just go the Napoleon Kaufman/ Robert Smith route
and play around 6 years to make $10+ million in the NFL, and then retire young while he’s still healthy. I think it’s the guys that play until their bodies give out that really screw themselves over.
by Mind of no mind on Oct 30, 2011 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Since I know that you know it is Kevin Smith ...
… I’m starting to think this whole Keith Smith thing is kind of a schtick
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
Send the ole' gal out in style
Husky Stadium should be bouncing off the foundation next Saturday and it would be a great tribute to send this ole’ gal out in style.
Kieth Price didn’t have a spectacular game last night, I agree. I think the team came out ready to prove all the doubters wrong and maybe just a wee bit amped up to start the game. The game emotions finally settled down a tad on offense and things were rolling better. Still Kieth Price wasn’t spectacular. This is a good sign. It tells me that even when Kieith Price isn’t playing out of his mind, he still has enough gumption to find away to get it done. This Arizona team might have a lousy record, but that is a very good team and I thought it was a great win.
Oregon is beatable, I like our chances, but we won’t be winners next weekend unless we can force the ducks to put drives together. We can’t give up big plays- they thrive in those situations. Also we have to know where the Black Mamba is all the time and we have to pursue and tackle LMJ well. Looking forward to next Saturday night. WOOF!
All I saw was purple
Soo...
Being at the game and yet to watch it on the DVR, along with the 2 mentioned blown calls, what was the call on Sample I think, when he came over and popped the ball out of the receivers hands? I tell you what, I was getting the feeling we were doomed after all the calls that were going the other way along with that fluky pick 6. Another thing, why are we playing 10 yds off the receivers when it’s 3rd and 3? So tired of that lay back and hit them after the catch mentality, but whatever, we won.
Last PAC-12 Rose Bowl winner not named USC....Washington
Ask yourself...
How many big plays has our secondary been burned deep on. The idea of playing back is to keep everything in front of us. Holt is determined to make the opposing offense work hard to score, not deep balls for TD approach. Plus playing off allows our CBs the eye angle to see spy run, it also gives the the right eye angle to see a possible crack block on our corners. It hasn’t been pretty, but for 6 out of 8 games has proven to be somewhat successful. Our secondeary is youthful so this is a great time to teach them how to play the position and you learn to play the position with your eyes (first) and feet (second).
All I saw was purple
I don't mind playing that way but all the time?
I saw some press coverage on 3rd and shorts but the other corner would be 7-10 yds off the receiver. If it’s 1st and 10, ok i get it, but 3rd and 3 even with a zone coverage, come up and bump the receiver to throw off the timing and get into your zone, don’t allow him to take his 2 yard and in with no pressure and perfect timing. Look i’m no defensive genius and don’t pretend to know x’s and o’s but it just looks like in that situation we are praying for a QB to miss a wideopen receiver every time, and in this conference that doesn’t happen very often.
Last PAC-12 Rose Bowl winner not named USC....Washington
by DAWGFATHER91 on Oct 31, 2011 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Kasen Williams...
has earned more playing time. James Johnson has earned more splinter time on the bench, being directly responsible for two turnovers that could have cost the Dawgs this game.
If you think playing time is based 100% on results in games than this is true, but I doubt Sarkisian would agree with you.
Johnson can be blamed only for the drops (and can hardly be blamed for tripping), not really for what happened afterwards.
To clarify, the fact that he dropped the ball is completely on him. That the ball was intercepted and returned for a TD isn't his fault.
The pick-6 doesn’t make Johnson a worse receiver.
Kasen
This kid is talented, probably one of the most talented kids on the team. But as a true freshmen he’s not really ready to get more game reps. He’s a fast kid, but right now I see the game being played faster then he is playing. And he needs to add more football weight to his skinny body. The receivers who are getting most of the game reps have great game bodies, where they can absorb contact. If Kasen was to receive more game reps, he could be a leading contender to get injured. Outside of Jamora, we are a pretty healthy team going into the final push of the regular season. Stick with what’s working.
All I saw was purple
Kasen's ability to break tackles and get extra yards is stunning.
I can’t wait to see what he does next year with more catches.
Crazi, the facts completely contradict your statements.
According to gohuskies.com, Kasen Williams is about 212lbs. He’s the second tallest WR on the team and already the heaviest WR on the team.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is one of the most talented kids on the team, and he’s a true freshman, just like Kasen Williams. Seferian-Jenkins is already getting plenty of playing time. Are you going to say that because Seferian-Jenkins is a true freshman, that he’s not really “ready to go”.
Truth is, Williams is not getting as much playing time because the WR corps is already pretty deep, so there’s no real need to rush him in.
by Carl Shinyama on Oct 30, 2011 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Exactly.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
Kasen has definitely earned playing time...
however, James Johnson has been one of the most consistent weapons this year, so giving him more bench time is not necessarily the answer, regardless of the fluke plays that happened to him.
"The same thing that will make you laugh will make you cry." Ray Lewis
by Carne Guisada on Oct 30, 2011 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree.
That bobble was absolutely a fluke play. He was trying to catch it as he was falling forward and it popped up. All the suggestions last night that he was trying to lateral it (which would be a criminal offense) were just not accurate.
He’s a good receiver that doesn’t have a consistent problem with drops (a la you know who) so we need him in the game. He’s also gotten significantly bigger since his true frosh year and DBs are having a lot harder time bringing him down.
Johnson is fine...
That was just a freak play…the guy that isn’t getting it done consistently at the moment is Kearse.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 30, 2011 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Keith Price - a little rattled in the first half
Rewatching the game today via my TiVo and it’s confirming something I noticed last night: Keith Price lost his cool on at least three occasions in the first half. In particular, I just saw him stamp his feet, throw his hands up and toss the ball away after Hartvigson’s boneheaded false start at the goal line with 7:40 to go in the 2nd, A ridiculous error, and Keith was right to be pissed but further evidence that something was a little different with KP last night. He wasn’t in control of his emotions and as focused as he usually is.
To explain further, I’ve always thought the whole “Teeth Price” thing was a little overblown because I actually see him more like Magic Johnson in terms of his demeanor: smiling a s*&%-eating grin after he cuts your defense to pieces. I didn’t see that Keith Price last night, I saw someone who let his emotions get the best of him a little bit.
Good observation
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 30, 2011 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I love KP and I can't wait for the next couple years with him at the helm.
Here’s to him and the rest of the offense putting on a tight, largely-error free performance on Saturday!
I was definitely surprised by...
the number of times Keith raised his arms in the air and at the very least, losing his composure a little bit. That was definitely out of character for him based on his season so far. Hopefully that was just an anomaly.
"The same thing that will make you laugh will make you cry." Ray Lewis
by Carne Guisada on Oct 30, 2011 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions
He's still young
Every game you learn something new. I’m sure he’s got a pretty high learning curve.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
could it also be
Trying to lead a different way? Maybe he is starting to get on guys for making mistakes. There was another one when he got sacked, and we all yelled that Amosa was wide open. But maybe Amosa was supposed to stay in and block and so he got on it?
Just a thought
John you got any good smack talk planned this week.?
I know Bugs and Gekko will be bringing their “A” game.
I find it hard to talk smack after the last seven years
But that doesn’t change the fact that you guys have the ugliest uniforms in college football.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
by Lear Pilot on Oct 30, 2011 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Losing to a rival seven years in a row years by 20 or more points....now that's a great UW tradition
66 inches of Dick here
plus my middle name’s Harry.
by hairofthedawg on Oct 31, 2011 5:18 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hm, so is 57-40-5. Well, that and winning Rose Bowls.
by UW11Bowdown on Oct 31, 2011 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions
how's the empty trophy case?
I’m sure I’d be testy and defensive too if my team had failed to deliver the big prizes despite coming oh so close.
That was a nice Rose Bowl win you guys got – way back in 1917. And how about all those National Championships in football – oh wait, you don’t have any.
Better rectify those now before the NCAA hammer comes down and Chip has to be sacrificed on the alter…
Wait, what exactly have you actually won?
I didn’t see any Rose Bowl or National Championship banners on display the last time I was at Autzen.
We won a Rose Bowl 10 years ago, when was your last win?
by UW11Bowdown on Oct 31, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Fiesta Bowl the year after....
And you are only 4 Championships behind Minnesota and that’s worked out pretty well for them
you wish
There’s a pretty big difference between the unlimited scholarships of the era when Minnesota was great and the 95-scholarship limit of the ’91 team.
oh, and...
…trying to downplay the ‘91 Title because the scholarship limit was at 95? Really? That’s the best you guys have come up with to try to downplay that championship?
so, your strategy in this debate is to point out that the bulk of our accomplishments...
…happened in an era with greater scholarship limits without in any way defending why you have yet to achieve anything of substance under the new scholarship limits or pointing out why you accomplished nothing when you were under the same set of rules in the early 90’s?
Impressive.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
Maryland is posing a challenge to them in the uniform department.
by UW11Bowdown on Oct 30, 2011 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes and No
Maryland is giving it a good effort, but you just can’t compete with moldy green and highlighter yellow. It’s no wonder they wear white, grey, black and every other color ever created, whoever chose their school colors must have been blind!
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
The highlighter yellow is by far the worst.
by UW11Bowdown on Oct 31, 2011 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
It burns the eyes!!
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
we'll try...
But your recent domination if UW cuts off one track and, let’s face it, you guys get your panties in a bunch when we make fun of your offseason accomplishments and your coach’s man-boobs, so that eliminates another track. What’s left?
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
by Gekko Mojo on Oct 31, 2011 5:17 AM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
He was amazing, no question at all.
It’s too bad he didn’t have talent around him.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
Oh ya
I have the usual collection of insulting photo’s.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 31, 2011 4:08 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh ya
I have the usual collection of insulting photo’s.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 31, 2011 4:08 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh ya
I have the usual collection of insulting photo’s.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 31, 2011 4:17 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Thoughts
Oline – they played alright but this was one of the worst D-lines in the country. I probably give them a C.
LB’s – I thought they were much better too.
WR’s – Kearse is just really annoying. The guy could do whatever he wanted if he could catch the ball. He is big, fast, and runs great routes. Frustrating to watch. I thought we should have utilized ASJ more. Was he around or did Arizona take him away?
ASJ was around...
They finally went to Hartvigson which was good to see. I watched both TE’s block and they did well.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 31, 2011 7:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Well then I think
He needs to be more involved in the passing game. Maybe the line isnt good enough and they need him to block. Which may also explain Polk catching balls downfield.
I've longed joked that Kearse's pregame meal consists of a giant bucket of butter.
I’m starting to think it’s not a joke. Get the kid some degreaser or something because it’s embarassing.
And think about how much better he could be if he didn't drop so many balls.
His production isn’t in question, but his issue with the dropsies is well documented.
Team wins and losses are a terrible way to mark an individual performance.
Come on, that’s awful. You can do a quick google news search and get a ton of hits on Jermaine Kearse dropping balls. Hell, here’s a quote from Condotta’s article on the 26th,
That Kearse has always been known as one of the team’s hardest workers-the respect his teammates have for him is evident in their voting him one of four team captains last spring-has made his periodic struggles with dropped passes something of a head-scratcher. That Kearse has been named an all-conference second team pick as selected by coaches each of the past two years speaks to his overall ability and only makes the drops that much more confounding.
Kearse has talent, he makes big plays. He also drops some easy balls. He’s a Senior, and a team captain, and when he drops a routine lob over the middle it’s embarrassing.
Yeah, he's dropped a few passes.
None of those have been in big spots (except at USC last year, but Goodwin and Locker picked him up, and Chris Polk dropped a few that game too), and I’m willing to forgive them considering how clutch the guy has been. There are a lot of games we wouldn’t have won without him (USC 2009, OSU last year, Cal last year, Apple Cup last year) and I think people are forgetting that.
by UW11Bowdown on Oct 31, 2011 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah - UW11Bowdown is right ... embarrassing is a harsh word for a kid that is slumping.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
He dropped 11 last year and 4 in the last week.
It’s only a slump when it’s an unexpected deviation from the norm; with Kearse that would be not dropping balls. He’s been extremely productive, made some great big plays, and he’s also looked bad on a bunch of gimme balls. You’re going to tell me you haven’t cringed at times watching him play over the years?
In Defense of Kearse,,,,,
He is a marvelous athlete. He does a lot of good things you might notice on every play if you look closely…the kid is a stud…lets hope he gets over the mental blocks that are holding him back catching the ball.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Oct 31, 2011 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Absolutely.
I’m fully willing to accept both these facts. He is a tremendous athlete who makes great plays and runs excellent routes. And he drops too many balls.
agreed
Kearse is so frustrating exactly because he’s so damn good. He gets open, he clearly has the ability to make difficult catches and even with the drops he’s been our leading receiver for 3 straight years now. Imagine how much better he’d be if he didn’t drop so many passes.
And on a side note, his drops are going to really hurt his draft stock.
That's the ultimate deal. I want the best for the player, Jermaine.
You want to see kids rise above their mistakes, get better, and mature into their potential. Make all the NFL money they possibly can off their efforts on behalf of Husky nation.
Drops are something you should fix. The NFL notices them just as much as we do. Bottom line, the guy is mainly hurting himself. So get over it, for gawdsakes. There’s still time to get it right. The stage is still set.
You're definition of drop is pretty broad, there's no way you can count 4 drops in the Arizona game.
by UW11Bowdown on Oct 31, 2011 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Sorry should have been last 2 weeks*
He had 2 at Stanford and 2 against Arizona. Read what Kirkd wrote; it’s because he’s so athletic and talented that the drops look so bad. No one is denying his achievements, but you take the bad with the good; he drops too many balls.
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