UW’s Pride Takes A Beating

University of Washington football has always taken pride in its rabid defense. A section titled “Husky tradition” in the 1997 media guide begins on page 6 with USC quarterback Todd Marinovich’s quote after a 31-0 loss to UW in 1990:

“I saw purple. That’s all I saw. No numbers, no faces, just purple.”

The last three weeks, the only thing Washington defenders saw was opponents celebrating in the end zone.

After blanking USC 27-0 on Nov. 1, Washington was on top of the Pac-10 standings and climbed to No. 6 in the polls. Then the Huskies allowed 124 points in a three-game losing streak, topped by Washington State’s 41-35 win in Saturday’s Apple Cup.

It was the worst three-game stretch since UW gave up 134 points in 1973. That year, UW lost to Oregon 58-0, UCLA 62-13 and beat Idaho 41-14.

The competition had something to do with the point parade, Husky coach Jim Lambright said Monday. WSU is rated No. 2 in scoring offense and UCLA, which buried UW 52-28 two weeks ago, is No. 3. Oregon started UW’s tailspin with a 31-28 upset in Husky Stadium.

“One game was based on a quarterback (Oregon’s Akili Smith) that scrambled well. (WSU’s Ryan Leaf) didn’t have to scramble,” Lambright said. “They were all three different scenarios that play out to complement the big-play players on the other teams.”

WSU, UCLA and Oregon were 28 of 48 on third-down conversions. WSU alone was 13 of 19.

Part of UW’s recruiting emphasis will be at defensive end, where Jason Chorak and Chris Campbell are seniors, Lambright said. Another spot requiring attention is wide receiver as Jerome Pathon and Fred Coleman graduate.

Waiting game

UW will have to wait until Dec. 6 to learn its bowl assignment. The probable sites are the Sun Bowl in El Paso and the Aloha Bowl in Hawaii.

If Arizona State defeats Arizona on Friday, ASU likely will go to the Fiesta Bowl and Washington would head for El Paso. An ASU loss likely sends Washington to Hawaii.

“Even if Arizona State were to lose, UCLA is under consideration for the Fiesta Bowl as well,” said UW sports information director Jim Daves. “From the information we obtained this morning (from the Pac-10 office), the bowl alliance will not announce picks until Dec. 6.” Lambright isn’t pleased by the delay. “The real dramatic consequence of having to wait for the alliance is people have such a hard time getting flights, and you look at being judged by the support the team gets” from fans traveling to the bowl, he said.

NFL Huskies?

The only Huskies who might turn pro early are junior offensive linemen Olin Kreutz and Benji Olson, according to Lambright.

“We’re submitting both their names to the NFL advisory committee and they’ll send back estimates of where they would be drafted,” Lambright said. Decisions will be made based upon the return of the estimates.

Sophomore quarterback Brock Huard will be back for his junior season, Lambright said. “I’ve talked to him specifically and there’s no doubt.”

Lambright predicted WSU’s Leaf won’t return for his senior year and Leaf won’t win the Heisman Trophy.

“I think he’s gone,” Lambright said. “Hey, he’s going to be offered so much money he’s going to be able to buy a new pickup truck and go hunting during those off days.

“I think there’s a relatively slim (chance for the Heisman) because of the lack of publicity in comparison to the other ones that have to be leaders, strictly from a standpoint of being on television nationally.”

Notes

Lambright expects running back Rashaan Shehee (knee) to be healthy for the bowl game. Freshman receiver JaWarren Hooker injured his knee in Saturday’s game, but Lambright doesn’t believe it’s serious. It was announced as a hamstring injury during the game. … Before Saturday, UW hadn’t lost three straight games since 1989. Washington’s last four-game losing streak was in 1974. , DataTimes