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QB
Jake Locker (PHOTO - UW Media Relations) |
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Coach:
Tyrone Willingham
11-25,
3 years |
2007
Record: 4-9 |
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at
Syracuse |
WON
42-12 |
BOISE
STATE |
WON
24-10 |
OHIO
STATE |
LOST
14-33 |
at
UCLA |
LOST
31-44 |
USC |
LOST
24-27 |
at
Arizona State |
LOST
20-44 |
OREGON |
LOST
34-55 |
ARIZONA |
LOST
41-48 |
at
Stanford |
WON
27-9 |
at
Oregon State |
LOST
23-29 |
CALIFORNIA |
WON
37-23 |
WASHINGTON
STATE |
LOST
35-42 |
at
Hawai'i |
LOST
28-35 |
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2007
Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR |
2008
Outlook |
The
formula for success here isn’t
complicated. In Ty Willingham’s
fourth season (11-25), we find
the coach with a budding QB
who only needs to find a consistent
supporting cast to bring this
offense to new heights. The
defense has to find stopping
power, both on a play-by-play
and weekly basis. What Willingham
inherited upon arriving –
a 1-10 program that had its
worst point and win totals since
the ten-game 1969 season –
has shown signs of finding its
usual, competitive self, but
2008 seems to be another pivotal
year. More incremental steps
will come, but making them equal
more wins will be the same challenge
it’s been these first
three years of Ty’s administration.
Sophomore
Jake Locker is the reigning
Pac Ten Freshman of the Year.
That won’t guarantee production
since most of the other talent
guys are new (all new WRs) and
the OL has issues. A rare run-first
Pac Ten offense, UW found its
efforts lacking against their
own defense this spring; a 10-7
result has many in Seattle cringing
at the rerun they are about
to be forced to again watch.
All of Locker’s talents
can’t overcome a porous
line.
The
same troubles on defense –
failing to have consistency
from play to play – are
why Donatell was brought here.
A coup from the NFL ranks, Donatell’s
climb seems steep. Nine of the
past ten seasons witnessed the
300-point barrier being broken;
before 1998, Washington had
only allowed this to happen
twice in 119 years of football.
The fine Northwest stopping
tradition found here will soon
be back. The immediate dilemmas
are in the middle – the
tackles are strong but small,
and MLB Donald Butler has to
stay healthy. The corners needed
bolstering from the safety ranks,
but it all seems to be on track
for immediate improvements to
be seen.
The
Huskie’s schedule is a
beast…hey, you become
the best by playing the best,
right? A trip to Eugene right
off and its probable result
can’t be seen as the harbinger
for the rest of the season.
Oklahoma, BYU and Notre Dame
all come to Seattle, but in
what could be the toughest set
of non-cons on any FBS slate,
Willingham’s troops have
to stay focused and realize
how this is just status quo.
The defense keeping them in
many games will help. Locker
feeling his passing oats will
then go the farthest toward
making this an above-.500 effort.
The solutions are there, and
Willingham can solve the Huskie’s
recent troubles if these basic
elements are conjured.
Projected
2008 record: 4-8
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WASHINGTON
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 4 |
DL
- 2.5 |
RB
- 3 |
LB
- 3 |
WR
- 2.5 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
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WASHINGTON
2007 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
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National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
18 |
2 |
Passing: |
93 |
9 |
Total
Off: |
60 |
6 |
Sacks
Allow: |
48 |
4 |
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DEFENSE |
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National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
89 |
10 |
Passing: |
104 |
9 |
Total
Def: |
103 |
10 |
Sacks: |
29 |
6 |
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RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Jake Locker, 155-328-15, 2062
yds., 14 TD
Rushing: Jake Locker,
172 att., 986 yds., 13 TD
Receiving: Michael Gottlieb,
12 rec., 136 yds., 0 TD
Scoring: Ryan Perkins,
15-20 FG, 45-46 PAT, 90 pts.
Punting: Jared Ballman,
71 punts, 40.9 avg.
Kicking: Ryan Perkins,
15-20 FG, 45-46 PAT, 90 pts.
Tackles: E.J. Savannah,
111 tot., 73 solo
Sacks: Daniel Te'o-Nesheim,
8.5 sacks
Interceptions: Mesphin
Forrester, 2 for 61 yds., 1
TD
Kickoff Returns: Brandon
Johnson, 13 ret., 17.4 avg.,
0 TD
Punt Returns: None
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OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Carl Bonnell-QB, Louis Rankin-TB,
Anthony Russo-WR, Cody Ellis-WR,
Corey Williams-WR, Marcel Reece-WR,
Chad Macklin-OT |
DEFENSE:
Jordan
Reffett-DT, Wilson Afoa-DT, Greyson
Gunheim-DE, Dan Howell-OLB, Roy
Lewis-CB, E.J. Savannah-LB (academics)
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2008
OFFENSE |
In
a conference where the pass is king,
Spokane native and Husky coordinator
Tim Lappano is afforded a different
approach. Running the rock is now
‘in vogue’ here in Seattle.
Already a ground weapon, how much
better sophomore dual-threat Jake
Locker’s arm gets will tell
whether this offense can finally hit
on all cylinders. That’s because
this former No.4 QB prospect already
has those uncanny, unteachable instincts
only a veteran usually possesses...and
he’s got the wheels to exploit
defenses that leave him running lanes.
Big and strong, Locker out-gained
Heisman winner Tim Tebow on the ground
and all other QBs except La-Lafayette’s
Desormeaux and WVU’s White;
this Ferndale phenom even topped the
combined rushing-passing yardage of
nearly every other dual-threat QB
except Tebow, A&M’s Steven
McGee, USF’s Matt Grothe and
Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson.
And he did it all as a freshman! The
only thing is his 15 INTs, but if
Locker’s solid prep numbers
are any testimonial, his struggling
accuracy (47.7%) so far and the excessive
picks will diminish soon. It seems
to be as simple as just letting Locker
air it out more until he feels more
comfortable, and then the playbook
can explode. Fouch is a drop-back
type who might really change the way
the Cougars attack…except when
you see he is another savvy, sneaky,
quick type of QB who would surely
surprise foes on the ground after
he set them up with his quality arm.
The
“run first” philosophy
finds a new set of tailbacks, and
the ground game can lean on the ever
changing, distracting running patterns
of Locker and how defenses are forced
to mark/cover his every move/fake.
Such will benefit Brandon Johnson,
a direct-style of runner who finds
holes through which to squirt in little
time once given the rock. Homer is
more used than most fullbacks, and
he has a leadership role that cannot
be discounted on such a young team.
This is a deep set of runners, but
the staff still needs to isolate who
will be a reliable workhorse and who
can get open downfield (Johnson had
no catches last year). These role
players are sure to pop up, which
is more than can be guaranteed for
the depleted receiving corps.
You
can see how three freshmen and two
sophs WRs make for some restless nights
in the coaching barracks. Logan looks
like a real threat anywhere he may
roam, and four-star RB recruit Chris
Polk will play the hybrid role of
slot receiver and all-purpose ball
carrier, a true “X factor”
who will spread defenses even thinner
when he’s put in motion and/or
when he’s faked to. Goodwin
is the vet as a sophomore, but he
could quickly be displaced (Shaw,
Aguilar) if his game isn’t completely
on. Gottlieb becomes a huge factor;
big and reliable, he’s sure
to find his number called quite often
early on with the shakiness at WR.
The
other concern is for the line’s
lack of pass protection skills. Don’t
let the low sacks allowed number deceive
you – Locker’s elusive
nature is what that speaks towards
more than it does a quality wall during
pass plays. This is especially true
for the tackles. Still, losing Garcia
for most of 2008 will put this group
to the test; the OL coming together
relies now upon Matt Sedillo’s
progress after only playing in two
games as a frosh. Tolar is solid inside,
but Bulyca has the same trouble with
quick, stunting blitzers as do the
tackles. If the line struggles (like
it did in the spring game against
UW’s young defensive line) to
even establish running lanes, let
alone decent protection, Locker and
the backs will be running for their
collective lives more than forward
in any productive mode.
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C
Juan Garcia (PHOTO - UW Media
Relations)
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WASHINGTON
2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Jake
Locker-So (6-3, 225) |
Ronnie
Fouch-Fr (6-1, 195) |
FB |
Paul
Homer-Jr (6-0, 222) |
Luke
Kravitz-Sr (6-1, 245) |
RB |
Brandon
Johnson-So (5-11, 195) |
J.R.
Hasty-Jr (5-11, 200)
Willie Griffin-Fr (5-8, 200) |
WR |
D'Andre
Goodwin-So (6-0, 170) |
Curtis
Shaw-So (5-11, 190)
Devin Aguilar-Fr (6-0, 185) |
WR |
Chris
Polk-Fr (5-11, 195) |
Alvin
Logan-Fr (6-2, 215) |
TE |
Michael
Gottlieb-Sr (6-5, 245) |
Chris
Izbicki-Fr (6-3, 230) |
OT |
Ben
Ossai-Jr (6-6, 300) |
Mark
Armelin-Fr (6-5, 290) |
OG |
Ryan
Tolar-So (6-5, 310) |
Jordan
White-Frisbee-Sr (6-6, 340) |
C |
Matt
Sedillo-So (6-3, 300) |
Juan
Garcia-Sr (6-3, 315) (inj.) |
OG |
Casey
Bulyca-Sr (6-6, 340) |
Morgan
Rosborough-Jr (6-6, 365) |
OT |
Cody
Habben-So (6-6, 300) |
Skyler
Fancher-Fr (6-5, 280) |
K |
Ryan
Perkins-Jr (6-0, 185) |
Erik
Folk-Fr (5-10, 190) |
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2008
DEFENSE |
There’s
a quick way to cure what ails your
defense – go out and hire Ed
Donatell. In him, coach Willingham
reached for an assistant who hasn’t
coached in the collegiate ranks since
1989 (CS Fullerton), and Donatell
is the brass ring that can turn the
defensive tide in the Huskie’s
favor. It’s a mystery how four
returning starters up front can relinquish
185 rushing yards per game, as was
the case last year. Everyone in the
front seven had respectable stat lines,
so it comes down to finding more consistency
in Washington’s ample talent
pool. Pressure from the outside just
has to stay disciplined to be more
effective. Jones is an ex-LB looking
to prove extra heft can help his game,
but he’s unproven…unlike
bookend Daniel Te’o-Nesheim.
Te’o-Nesheim is the emotional
leader of the entire defense and a
building block for the future. The
inside has athletes with the will
to succeed, yet little girth when
those bigger, better opposing OLmen
come calling. A single OG controlling
his Husky counterpart/tackle will
mean another long year. Depth up front,
like the bulk of the starters ahead
of them, is, at best, young and eager,
but consistency will be a tough goal
to achieve with this two-deep.
Overachieving
E.J. Savannah has their collective
backs. This defense is going to be
better if Savannah is allowed to play
instinctually instead of being forced
to constantly compensate for marginal
line play. Oft-injured Donald Butler
having a healthy campaign at MLB,
next to the hiring of Donatell, will
go the farthest toward keeping this
D focused and stubborn. Mason Foster
should be better since he doesn’t
have to keep switching between LB
spots. Tuiasosopo has never been able
to earn a permanent start, mainly
since his run stuffing is superior
to his efforts in coverage. This is
an experienced corps, but group cohesion
still must be found for the defense
to take any corner(s).
UPDATE: LB
E.J. Savannah has been ruled academically
ineligible.
Mesphin
Forrester is the major pivot in the
secondary, moving from safety to corner.
His coverage skills are decent, but
the move smacks of desperation. Davenport
will have a hard time keeping Richardson
from his spot. The Scout Team POTY,
Richardson is the nickel back, at
least, and a catalyst for the entire
coverage scheme to move up a notch
if he can commandeer the start from
the senior ahead of him. The same
kind of uncertainty on who will start
at safety actually reflects the number
of quality hats in the deep middle.
Wells was lost in game six, and Harris
will keep the free spot until displaced.
Williams and Aiyewa are both worth
developing into starters; you can
see why Forrester was bumped to the
outside. Under Donatell, this group
should progress the quickest of the
defensive units.
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DE
Daniel Te'o-Nesheim (PHOTO -
UW Media Relations)
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WASHINGTON
2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Daniel
Te'o-Nesheim-Jr (6-4, 260) |
Tyrone
Duncan-Fr (6-2, 285) |
DT |
Cameron
Elisara-So (6-2, 275) |
Nick
Wood-Fr (6-2, 275) |
DT |
De'Shon
Matthews-So (6-4, 255) |
Johnie
Kirton-Sr (6-4, 270) |
DE |
Darrion
Jones-Jr (6-3, 255) |
Kalani
Aldrich-Fr (6-7, 244) |
OLB |
Chris
Stevens-Sr (6-0, 195) |
Joshua
Gage-Sr (6-2, 225) |
ILB |
Donald
Butler-Jr (6-1, 240) |
Trenton
Tuiasosopo-Sr (6-2, 240) |
OLB |
Mason
Foster-So (6-1, 218) |
Chris
Stevens-Sr (6-0, 215) |
CB |
Mesphin
Forrester-Sr (6-2, 205) |
Matt
Mosley-So (5-11, 190) |
CB |
Byron
Davenport-Sr (5-11, 195) |
Quinton
Richardson-Fr (6-0, 205) |
SS |
Darin
Harris-Sr (5-11, 200) |
Victor
Alyewa-So (6-1, 217) |
FS |
Jason
Wells-Sr (6-2, 210) |
Nate
Williams-So (6-1, 205) |
P |
Jared
Ballman-Sr (5-11, 175) |
Ryan
Perkins-Jr (6-0, 185 |
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2008
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Ballman
and Perkins are adequate, sometimes exceptional,
at their given kicking tasks…but having
five total kicks blocked has to be stemmed
more than anything else on fourth-down plays.
The new return men will be announced as
the season is imminent.
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