Huskies, Bucke Want To Stay Out Of Trouble
Both teams have veteran quarterbacks capable of doing a lot of good things.
That isn’t what concerns coach John Cooper heading into 10th-ranked Ohio State’s football game with No. 18 Washington today.
“We don’t necessarily ask our quarterback to get us in good situations so much as just don’t get us in bad situations,” Cooper said, referring to Buckeye starter Bob Hoying.
And bad situations like last year’s 19-0 deficit against Washington with the game less than a quarter old are not welcomed.
The same goes for Washington and quarterback Damon Huard. He struggled two years ago as Ohio State beat the Huskies 21-12 at Ohio Stadium. Avoiding mistakes is a primary concern.
“They’re going to play their base defense and try to beat us by us making mistakes,” Huard said. “They’ve obviously got great athletes all over the field. We know we’re going to have to play our best game and eliminate all mistakes if we’re going to have a chance.”
Both quarterbacks and both offenses are coming off big games. Hoying completed 17 of 26 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions in a 38-6 rout of Boston College in the Kickoff Classic.
Huard connected on 14 of 27 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown and didn’t have an interception as Washington topped Pac-10 rival Arizona State 23-20.
“As a senior, as a third-year starting quarterback - and I know Ohio State has the same situation - I think the weight is going to be on your shoulders,” Huard said. “The expectations are going to be high. A lot of weight is on my shoulders. It should be. It’s my fifth year; I’ve been around here long enough. I’ve been in the big game.”
Both teams are also coming off lengthy layoffs. Washington was idle last weekend after winning at home. Ohio State hasn’t had a game in 20 days.
“I don’t think that one team starting earlier is nearly as important as who’s playing at home,” Washington coach Jim Lambright said.
The recent history of the series supports that.
Several of the key performers the last two years are gone. Napoleon Kaufman has graduated from UW, and Leon Neal replaces him. He rushed for 105 yards in his first career start against Arizona State.
Butler By’not’e, who broke open the 1993 game for Ohio State with a 49-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, is now in the pros.
Cooper said the strength of Washington’s team is its defense, led by free safety Lawyer Milloy and inside linebacker Ink Aleaga. The Buckeyes have a solid line, eight receivers who caught passes against Boston College, a veteran quarterback and a 1,400-yard rusher in Eddie George.
“Hopefully, we can get some kind of rhythm going. Two years ago we moved the ball on them pretty good the whole game,” Cooper said. “But they give you some headaches, some problems with their defense.”
Ohio State is a seven-point favorite in the nationally televised game.
xxxx ON TV ABC will show the game at 12:30 p.m.