UDUBNation.com - Fine tuning the defensive machine

August 29, 2012

Kaelyn Sayles
UDUBNation.com Senior Writer

This Saturday, the Washington Husky defense will finally have a chance to stop going against each other and instead go against an opponent.

After Tuesday's practice, defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox told media that although he'd like another month to prepare, it's definitely time to get the team out on the field.

But until Saturday comes around, it's all about fine tuning.

"They're tired, been beating up on each other, so it's time for them to beat up on someone else," Wilcox said. "It's important for us to make sure we're getting the screws tightened this week and make sure we're getting our alignments and all those things we've worked on all fall and gearing it toward another opponent."

Since Wilcox arrived at the UW, he's consistently stressed the importance of execution on his defense.

He said this consistency comes through his messages to the team every day, along with showing the players that he and the rest of the coaching staff have their best interests at heart.

Saturday, it's the players' turn to show what they've learned.

"I think it's time to go see what they can do, put the cards out on the table," Wilcox said. "I think they're excited for it, I know we are too, we just need a couple more days of good work so we can make sure we're as ready as we can possibly be."

Throughout spring camp and then fall camp, and now game week, coaches have spoken to the ability of the players to rise up to the challenges presented to them. Wilcox said that he couldn't have asked for a better attitude and work ethic from the guys.

Now, again, it's all about execution.

Oh, yea, and that next play mentality.

"We got to know that there's things that come up…that we're going to react to, and we may not be 100 percent, but our effort, our toughness and all that has got to win at the end in those types of plays, and if something goes bad that we're able to respond to the adversity and bounce back from that," Wilcox said.

Wilcox expects the defense to be aggressive and confident the whole game.

He recognizes that nobody wants to play scared football.

He knows that they could get beat on plays because that's just the way it goes.

"That's football. That's life. You can either give up and lay down or you can get back up and fight again, so that's what we want them to do," Wilcox said.

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