When a former defensive coordinator speaks about playing good defense it is wise to listen. The Washington Huskies football team has wrapped up its fall football camp and is in full game week mode. For first-year Husky head coach Jimmy Lake that translates to preparing to face the California Golden Bear on November 7th.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIP
Lake’s formula for beating the Bear’s in its simplest terms is to play good fundamental physical defense accompanied by a solid run game. For Lake, that formula is not only for the Cal game but the blueprint to winning the Conference Championship.
A STRONG REAR GUARD
The strongest unit for the Huskies is their defensive backfield. The return of Elijah Molden the team leader in tackles (79) and interceptions (4) last year brings stability to a defense that lost four starters. NT Josiah Bronson, DT Levi Onwuzurike, DB Myles Bryant, and OLB Joe Tryon moved on. Returning dBs starters Keith Taylor, Cameron Williams and Trent McDuffie join Molden to form a solid backline the Huskies can build on. The Husky defensive backfield is deep and talented so outside of Molden and Taylor no one really ones who will start against Cal. Kyler Gordon (3) and Asa Turner (5) had their share of starts A deep, talented and experienced backfield will enable the coaches to experiment with blitz packages and coverages that will confuse opposing quarterbacks.
STRONG UPFRONT
The loss of Tryon was a major blow to the Huskies linebacking corps. A hard blow but not fatal. The Huskies linebacking unit has a chance to one of the best groups on defense. Senior Ryan Bowman will be joined by three sophomores who are big, quick, and versatile. WLB Jacob Sirmon, MLB Edefuan Ulofoshio, and OLB Laiatu Latu have seen enough game action starting should not be a problem. Sophomore MJ Tafisi returns after missing the second half of the season due to injury and is another added bonus to the unit. Ulofoshio had 47 tackles last year which was fourth-best on the team. 6-3 250 pound MaxPreps.com All- American second team will push for playing time and it won’t be long before the comparisons to Tryon begin.
BEEF UPFRONT
The Huskies’ philosophy of aggressive physical defense will need to start up front if they are to be successful. The challenge of filling the shoes of Onwuzurike will be a team effort. The return of Nose tackle Josiah Bronson ( 6-3, 300 pounds) a 12 game starter will fill one of Onwuzurike’s shoes. Sophomore Tuli Letuligasenoa (6’2 305) played in 12 of 13 games and is ready to fill the other shoe. Sophomore Sam Taimani ( 6-2 321 pounds), Draco Bynum ( 6-4 270 pounds), and redshirt freshman Jacob Bandes (6-2 315pounds) will all push for playing time. All three could see significant time as the Huskies like to rotate the defensive lineman and keep them fresh for the end of the game.
BIG TAKE AWAY
During the fall camp players and coaches who have been available to the media have all held the company line of being a strong and physical team. Last year the Huskies Achilles heel was the inability to close out games in the fourth quarter. The painful loss to Oregon at Husky Stadium is no doubt on Lake’s mind. When asked Lake talked about practicing situation football and how the players responded.
