News Tribune: UW defensive backs want to make good

Secondary in cross hairs

DON RUIZ; The News Tribune

Despite going 0-for-10 last week in relief of injured starter Nate Longshore, Joe Ayoob will start Saturday against the Huskies.    The Washington Huskies’ secondary wants a second chance on Saturday, and is likely to get it.

Yes, the California Golden Bears will take a weakened passing attack into Husky Stadium this weekend for the opening game of Pacific-10 Conference play. However, UW coaches and players do not expect the 16th-ranked Bears to surrender the skies, even with starting quarterback Nate Longshore and receiver Noah Smith lost to injuries. “I think Cal is going to be Cal,” UW secondary coach Steven Wilks said. “There might be a few tweaks here and there for the quarterback. They might try and give him some confidence early with some quick and easy throws. … I’m sure right now, thinking of the situation we have in the secondary, they’re going to test us.”

There actually are two “situations” in the UW secondary. One is physical: Injuries divided between the cornerback and safety positions complicate an area of the team that had already projected as shallow and inexperienced.

Cornerback Roy Lewis suffered an arm injury in the season-opening loss to Air Force, and safety C.J. Wallace suffered eye and head injuries from a concussion. Both were limited in practice this week, but as of Thursday both were considered likely to go against Cal. Against Air Force, the injuries forced Huskies into unfamiliar roles, and they learned hard lessons.  That was not an excuse the UW staff was willing to make. “When someone gets injured that’s always an opportunity for someone else,” defensive coordinator Kent Baer said. “That’s how we look at it, and let’s go.” Determined not to be caught in a similar situation this week, the staff has worked safeties and corners in more than one position. Dashon Goldson, for example, remains the No. 1 free safety, but also has practiced as a second-unit cornerback. “I think we’re fine right now when it comes to depth,” starting cornerback Matt Fountaine said. “We have to get over this hump. I think there are going to be a lot of people who are possibly going to be playing bigger roles than they played in the past. But when it comes to depth, I’m sure we’re going to be OK.” The other “situation” facing the UW secondary is mental.

The unit blames itself for the disastrous final 10 minutes that cost the Huskies the game against Air Force. Although the Falcons are known as a running team, they did their damage through the air in two touchdown drives as they rolled past Washington. The first was an 84-yard touchdown reception in which Goldson missed a tackle while trying to force a fumble. The second was an out pattern at the goal lime, which set up the winning score in the final seconds. On that one, reserve cornerback Josh Okoebor admits he lagged too far off the receiver. “I felt I gave him too much cushion,” said Okoebor, a junior who hadn’t played in two years because of injuries. “I should have stepped up. They weren’t the most athletic receivers. Don’t get me wrong; they were real disciplined, good receivers. But I felt I could have challenged them a little bit more and made the throws a little bit harder on their quarterbacks.” Even shorthanded, Cal offers athletic receivers. Most athletic might be true freshman DeSean Jackson, who caught a 31-yard pass from Longshore for one touchdown, and returned a punt 49 yards for another in the Bears opener against NCAA Division I-AA Sacramento State.

David Gray had two catches for 27 yards, and Sam DeSa caught a 44-yarder. Even with No. 2 quarterback Joe Ayoob at the controls, the Bears offer a test that the Huskies see as a chance for redemption.

“Cal has a great receiving corps,” Fountaine said. “They have a great offensive line, with a great running back. They will mass protect and they will go downfield. … Coach (Jeff) Tedford does a great job coaching those guys how to get open, coaching his quarterbacks how to put the ball on the money. It’s going to be a great challenge for us, and I do believe we’re going to be up for it.”