Huskies Dominate Northwestern: Washington's Defensive Wall Key to Huskies' Big Ten Opening Win
Washington Huskies Defense Shuts Down Northwestern in 24-5 Victory: Big Ten Opener Highlighted by UW's Defensive Performance
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Steve Belichick and the Huskiesā defense built and maintained an impenetrable wall in front of the Huskiesā goal line on Saturday afternoon. The Northwestern offense could not score a touchdown no matter how hard it tried.
The Huskiesā 24-5 win over Northwestern gives the team positive momentum heading into its first road game this Friday against Rutgers. Saturdayās win was just what this Huskies team needed: a bounce-back win after a disappointing Apple Cup loss.
Wildcats fans on the other hand, werenāt as happy with the result:
What I Liked:
The Defense. I am trying to be realistic about how good this Huskies defense is, but week after week, opposing offenses are underperforming against the Huskies. Below is a table of Washingtonās opponents and their average points per game this season, compared to the amount of points the Huskies surrendered to them in their games:
The red zone defense on Saturday was impressive. Certainly, some ill-advised coaching decisions for the Wildcats helped ā like opting to kick a field goal in the third quarter at the one-yard line when down by 15 points.
But Washingtonās defense would not let the Wildcats into the end zone. The next Northwestern drive, the Wildcats started at Washingtonās one-yard line after a 96-yard kickoff return.1 The Washington defense forced four incompletions and a rushing no-gain to earn a turnover on downs.
Everyone on the Huskiesā defense contributed to the no-touchdown effort. Linebackers Carson Bruener and Khmori House both intercepted Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch. Bruener and defensive lineman Sebastian Valdez led the team with six tackles each. Defensive end Isaiah Ward recorded two tackles for loss, including a sack. And five different Huskies collected a pass breakup.
Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch completed 8-of-27 passes for 53 yards, and threw two interceptions. The Wildcats offense managed only 112 total yards against The Huskies.
This Washington defense is fun to watch and may keep the Huskies in a lot of games this season. Particularly notable on Saturday was Washingtonās run defense holding Northwestern to 59 yards total rushing. The Wildcats were missing their starting running back Cam Porter due to injury, but it is nonetheless still an impressive showing from the Huskies. The rush defense will be key moving forward, especially with games against teams like Michigan and Iowa whose entire offensive identities are their rushing attacks.
The defense was not perfect. And Steve Belichickās facial expression and muttered profanities made that much clear after Washington linebacker Bryan Parham was flagged for a late hit on a 3rd-and-21 incompletion in the fourth quarter:
What Needs Fixing:
Offensive Execution
The Husky offense lacks any killer instinct.
Case in point:
Up 17-2 at the start of the 3rd quarter, the Huskies offense started with the ball. If Washington scores a field goal or a touchdown, the game becomes a three-score game.
What happens instead?
The Huskies offense goes three-and-out to begin the half.
Washingtonās defense then forces another punt and the Huskies offense gets another chance to put the game away in the third quarter.
On this drive, quarterback Will Rogers fumbles a snap, Northwestern recovers, and the Wildcats get a chance to bring Northwestern within one score. Fortunately, for the Huskies, its defense again stopped Northwestern and the Wildcats settled for an ill-advised field goal with the ball at Washingtonās one-yard line.
Other Big Ten teams would likely get back into the game after multiple stalled drives. The Cougars already did so in the Apple Cup.
Offensive Line
Last week it was right tackle Drew Azzopardi who struggled in pass blocking, this week center Landen Hatchett and left tackle Soane Faasolo both struggled to protect Rogers when they rotated into the offensive line. Per Pro Football Focus, Hatchett and Faasolo graded lows of 21.9 and 40.8 in pass blocking.
Who Impressed:
Running back Jonah Coleman continues to impress. Should we call him āAir Jonahā? In the third quarter, with 27 seconds remaining, Coleman took a check down from Rogers and hurdled a poor Northwestern defensive back to get a first down:
Coleman finished with 67 yards on 15 carries, a touchdown, and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. It still feels like Coleman should maybe be getting more carries, but I do understand how, at times, and I emphasize at times, Rogers and the passing game can be an efficient and effetive way of moving the ball downfield.
Speaking of the passing game, wide receiver Denzel Boston is this teamās No. 1 receiver and he is Rogersā favorite target in the red zone and on deep balls. His size makes him a formidable force in the end zone, and heās proven fast enough to be a deep threat consistently. Here is his first-quarter 46-yard touchdown reception delivered by Rogers:
Boston finished the day with seven catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
What are your reactions after the Huskiesā inaugural Big Ten win against Northwestern?
Defensive back Elijah Jackson prevented the kickoff return from becoming a touchdown. His chase down of Northwestern running back Joseph Himon was incredible and deserves a second look: