UW defensive coordinator Holt faces heat

SEATTLE – The 65 points Washington allowed last Saturday to fourth-ranked Stanford resurfaced disenchantment with the Huskies’ defense and third-year coordinator Nick Holt.

Since Holt, formerly the head coach at Idaho, took over, UW has allowed more points each season.

In 2009, the Huskies allowed 26.7 points per game. Then 31.2 in 2010. In 2011, that number has climbed to 33.7, boosted by the 65-21 loss at Stanford last week.

The 65 points are the most allowed during Holt’s three seasons, and more than Washington allowed in a single game during its winless 2008 campaign under the previous coaching staff.

“I guess you’ve got to have thick skin,” Holt said. “We want to do well. We’re more disappointed than (the media), trust me.”

Saturday, the Huskies had zero tackles for a loss and allowed Stanford to run for a Cardinal school-record 446 yards. Cardinal backs chatted at halftime, hoping to reach 500 yards rushing on the day.

In 2010, the Huskies went through a lull during which they allowed an average of 46 points per game during a three-game span. They allowed at least 41 points in a third of their regular-season games that season.

During that stretch in 2010 when Washington was blown out by Arizona, Stanford and Oregon, the future appeared bleak.

But Washington allowed just 16 points per game during the final three, good enough to send the Huskies to the Holiday Bowl.