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DAWGS' "D" was one for the home, none for the road,
and one for the books
As Pac-10 teams go, statistics say that the Huskies fielded just an "average" defense over the past two years, despite the fact that the Huskies played outstanding defense at home. Injuries, offensive turnovers, and the lack of quality players at key positions may be the reason for the defense's dismal showing at times.
Before the 2001 season even started, Ossim Hatem, a stalwart on the defensive line was lost to the team for medical reasons, and the
same for Jafar Williams, a projected starter at SAM (strong side, outside
linebacker). Derrick Johnson (cornerback) sat out the season because of broken
bones in his right foot. Hakim Akbar (starting safety) decided to join the
professional ranks, and left school a year early. Before the USC game last season, Kai Ellis (starting Rush
End Backer) required arthroscopy on both knees and missed three games. Prior to
the USC game, Ellis, who had started the first three games for the
Huskies, had 19 tackles--13 solos, with 2 for a loss. He finished the season
with 39 tackles, garnering 20 tackles and 6 unassisted tackles in his last five
games. Obviously, his affectivity was hampered by the injuries to his knees. At
this time, he is experiencing some swelling in both knees. Other
defensive players were limited by injuries throughout the season, some
of them playing with
nagging, debilitating injuries. Marquis Cooper, inside linebacker, played in 11
games and had 34 tackles. He had shoulder surgery on 4 April, just
before spring practice. After the Holiday Bowl, the following defensive players
required shoulder surgery: Owen Biddle (strong safety, 9 games, 42 tackles);
Roc Alexander (11 games, corner back, 26 tackles, 4 interceptions); Greg
Carothers, (strong safety, 11 games, 72 tackles); and Ben Mahdavi, (ILB, 11
games, 85 tackles). The
Huskies played much better defense at home than on the road (see Table 1). For its
six home games, Washington held opponents to 339.1 yards per game; for its six
road games, including the Holiday Bowl, Washington gave up 460.5 yards per
game. The Huskies held its opponents to an average of 19.2 points per game at
home, while allowing an average of 42.5 points per game on the road. Table 1. Huskies at home and away, 2001 (yards and points allowed)
Clearly, Washington has a significant home-field
advantage. It leads the conference in attendance each year, and the packed
house at Husky stadium, in the past and for last season, has helped put the kibosh on more than one
visiting fireman. Does the home-field advantage account for the disparity between home and away defensive records? Partly it does; however, Washington's road schedule may have been tougher than its home schedule this season. The Dawgs stumbled on the road against UCLA, which was playing like a number one team at the time, and finished the regular season at number one, revenge-minded Miami before playing highly ranked Texas in the Holiday Bowl. The toughest games at home were against the Tree (number one in total Pac-10 offense), Wazzu (number two in total Pac-10 offense) and Michigan, which outplayed Washington. Its special teams and defense won the Michigan game for the Dawgs. Against WSU in the early going, the Huskies' successful goal-line stand is memorable. The year before, the Huskies beat a strong Miami team at home. Over the last two years, NFL teams have drafted nine Miami players in the first round, while the Huskies have had one drafted, Jerramy Stevens. Five Miamians were chosen in the first round this year, with eleven overall. Over the last two years, 18 Miami players have been selected in the NFL draft. Statistically speaking, as defenses go in the Pac-10, the Huskies have fielded an "average" defense over the last two years (see Table 2). In key categories, the Dawgs averaged sixth in the conference last season, while the year before they averaged fifth. This season, Washington’s poor
defensive play on the road was exacerbated by an offense that played poorly at
times. In certain games this season, the offense turned the ball over at
crucial points in
the game,
and then left an average, enervated defense to come to its rescue in a
short-field situations. What about this upcoming season? According to Coach
Neuheisel, the Huskies’ defense is one year away from gelling as a unit. If
this is true, its offense will have to shore up its defense by maintaining ball
control--and mindful of this year's stats, especially in games played on the
road. Can that be done? Last season, USC led the conference in scoring defense and
was second in total defense. The Trojans finished last in total offense and
ended up 6-6 for the season. On the other hand, Oregon was last in total
defense but finished third in total offense, going 11-1 for the season.
Obviously, then, an offense can carry a defense. Not all is lost for next
season, since Washington’s offense will be better than it was last season,
according to the experts. Is Tim Hundley, Washington’s defensive coordinator, responsible for the Huskies’ mediocre defensive play last season? No. Most likely, the loss of key players at the start of the
season and the effect of enervating injuries during the season had more to do
with it than poor coaching methods. If Washington wants to be a top-ten team yearly, it must recruit better defensive players—and keep them healthy. More home games wouldn't hurt either. * Statistics don't include Holiday bowl. Table 2. How the Huskies have finished defensively in the Pac-10 over the past two years (11 games; bowl games not included).
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