Washington Leaning on Experienced Defense Heading Into Season Opener
SEATTLE -- With an unpredictable opponent coming into Husky Stadium on Saturday, the reigning No.1 defense in the Pac-12 can only count on what they know.
Themselves.
"The unexpected," UW defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski said Wednesday, when asked about what he expects from Rutgers' offense. "It's a rule game - everybody's got their rules based off their call and what they're suppose to do. So have good eyes, do your job and be ready to adjust."
The Huskies defense allowed a conference low 28 touchdowns in 2015, and only lost three players to graduation in Travis Feeney, Cory Liddleton and Taniela Tupou. However the core of the defense is not only back, but the younger players behind them have gained more experience through a full year of practices' and observing the players ahead of them on the depth chart.
Included in that young next wave of talent are two starters along the defensive line: defensive tackle Greg Gaines and defensive end Vita Vea, who stands at 6'5, 332-pounds. Both will be key against a veteran Scarlet Knights offensive line, comprised of three redshirt seniors and an average weight above 307 pounds.
"They're really big guys that have got some pretty good athleticism," Kwiatkowski said of his defensive line. "When he [Vea] first got here he was woefully out of shape. So he's come a long way as far as maturing as a young man. His leadership is getting better - helping the younger guys - just understanding how to play the position. He's still got a ways to go but there's been tons of growth on his part."
Despite being unpredictable with Drew Mehringer taking over as Rutgers' offensive coordinator, having previously been the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Houston, there is still some understanding.
Led by senior running back Justin Goodwin, the Scarlet Knights' have a three-back stable with all three being upperclassmen, each with a unique skill set. Goodwin, a 5'11, 215, was used as a third down back in 2015 while backup running back Josh Hicks finished second on the team in rushing yards with 674, including two 100-yard games.
With two days until kickoff at 11 a.m. Saturday, UW head coach Chris Petersen has seen enough of his players tackling each other. He's ready for year three in charge of the Washington program.
"It’s time to play," Petersen said Thursday. "We could practice another month and not make any progress. It’s time to play.”
Other UW notes --
-- The only true freshmen expected to play Saturday, and essentially all season, are linebacker Brandon Wellington, safety Taylor Rapp and potentially offensive guard Nick Harris. Kwiatkowski said linebacker Camilo Eifler is a redshirt player.
-- As of Wednesday, Washington has distributed between 54,000 and 55,000 tickets for the home opener, roughly 15,000 less than Husky Stadium's capacity.