Dylan Morris, the Washington quarterback, is smacking his lips about now. I just read in the Dawg Poung, the Huskies blog, that Washington's receiver corps is returning to full strength after some early injuries. I knew that Washington was going to be better this week, but I am stunned they put that kind of hurt on Arkansas State to the tune of a 52-3 smackdown. Arkansas State dropped 50 on Memphis a week ago, and Memphis just beat previously undefeated Mississippi State today. The voodoo that Wilcox put on Washington the last two games relied on a potent defense. We just saw today that all traces of that magic are gone.
"[Jalen] McMillan finished the game with 10 catches, 175 yards, and the one touchdown after being the first Pac-12 player since John Ross against Cal in 2016 to record 150+ yards receiving in the first half of a game"
2 points: On the plus side, watching (rewind/watching) #43 flow to the ball in run plays is .. well. uplifting! On concerning side was the near disaster of #21's fair catch at the 3 yard line that became a lucky fumble-touchback.
It wasn't just the secondary. I'm also alarmed by the lack of pass rush. On their last desperation drive, Sac State absolutely had to pass and everyone in the stadium knew it. Still Cal got no pressure on the QB whatsoever. Our D-line was being stoned and physically dominated by an FCS O-line (and one that I think had just lost its best player to injury). Yikes.
Oso: I had the same thought. "Cracks" doesn't even begin to describe how awful our defense has been through three games. I suppose that broken implies that it can be fixed. Can it? Something is definitely missing compared to the last two years. Is it personnel? Evan Weaver and Jordan Kunasyk were tackling machines. Schemes? The 'Root just might be the best DC in college football and not having him coach the defense and call plays is definitely hurting us. Sirmon doesn't seem up to the task but I guess we have to give him a full season to find out.
The lack of experience is concerning. The secondary appears lost. Anusiem was picked on and we have to start a true freshman at the other corner, who admittedly was able to stay with his man most of the time (Hearns) though he had one tough PI call. The senior leadership of Drayden and Hicks does not seem to be making a difference, and as Bob Davie pointed out on the broadcast if you can't do man to man coverage but rely on a loose zone all the time then you could be in for trouble. Also, the lack of a pass rush was a big problem.
Dylan Morris, the Washington quarterback, is smacking his lips about now. I just read in the Dawg Poung, the Huskies blog, that Washington's receiver corps is returning to full strength after some early injuries. I knew that Washington was going to be better this week, but I am stunned they put that kind of hurt on Arkansas State to the tune of a 52-3 smackdown. Arkansas State dropped 50 on Memphis a week ago, and Memphis just beat previously undefeated Mississippi State today. The voodoo that Wilcox put on Washington the last two games relied on a potent defense. We just saw today that all traces of that magic are gone.
"[Jalen] McMillan finished the game with 10 catches, 175 yards, and the one touchdown after being the first Pac-12 player since John Ross against Cal in 2016 to record 150+ yards receiving in the first half of a game"
2 points: On the plus side, watching (rewind/watching) #43 flow to the ball in run plays is .. well. uplifting! On concerning side was the near disaster of #21's fair catch at the 3 yard line that became a lucky fumble-touchback.
It wasn't just the secondary. I'm also alarmed by the lack of pass rush. On their last desperation drive, Sac State absolutely had to pass and everyone in the stadium knew it. Still Cal got no pressure on the QB whatsoever. Our D-line was being stoned and physically dominated by an FCS O-line (and one that I think had just lost its best player to injury). Yikes.
“Shows Cracks”
They are full blown broken as well as the LBs in drop coverage. That middle of the defense is giving up so much uncontested yardage.
SQUISHY
Oso: I had the same thought. "Cracks" doesn't even begin to describe how awful our defense has been through three games. I suppose that broken implies that it can be fixed. Can it? Something is definitely missing compared to the last two years. Is it personnel? Evan Weaver and Jordan Kunasyk were tackling machines. Schemes? The 'Root just might be the best DC in college football and not having him coach the defense and call plays is definitely hurting us. Sirmon doesn't seem up to the task but I guess we have to give him a full season to find out.
The lack of experience is concerning. The secondary appears lost. Anusiem was picked on and we have to start a true freshman at the other corner, who admittedly was able to stay with his man most of the time (Hearns) though he had one tough PI call. The senior leadership of Drayden and Hicks does not seem to be making a difference, and as Bob Davie pointed out on the broadcast if you can't do man to man coverage but rely on a loose zone all the time then you could be in for trouble. Also, the lack of a pass rush was a big problem.