Huskies have a win, have same problems

SEATTLE – Finally getting a victory relieves some of the stress, but there are still plenty of holes in the Washington Huskies’ play.

Most notably, Washington (1-4, 0-2 Pacific-10) passed for a meager 75 yards in Saturday’s 21-6 win over San Jose State.

Washington quarterbacks completed just seven passes, with a young receiving corps dropping a number of balls.

“First order of business is: catch the football,” coach Keith Gilbertson said Monday as his team prepares to return to Pacific-10 play next Saturday against Oregon State.

“We lead the world in drops,” Gilbertson said. “We’ve had some of them dropped that ended up in somebody else’s hands going the other way.”

Junior quarterback Casey Paus will start against the Beavers after redshirt freshman Carl Bonnell aggravated a left groin injury in the first half against San Jose State.

Paus took over in the second quarter against the Spartans, but neither Bonnell or Paus was impressive. Paus was 5-of-9 for 55 yards and Bonnell was 2-of-7 for 20 yards and two interceptions.

Receivers are another question mark. With veterans Charles Frederick and Corey Williams injured, the Huskies have started either sophomores or redshirt freshmen at receiver in the last two games.

Washington ranks ninth in the Pac-10 in pass offense, averaging only 179.8 yards per game. The Huskies are last in the conference in passing efficiency.

Nationally, Washington is 83rd in passing, just ahead of Idaho. In the last three seasons, Washington’s pass offense has ranked no lower than 24th in the country.

Catching passes is now a huge area of emphasis during practice.

“They’re catching the football from the time they go out until the time they leave the field,” Gilbertson said.

Still, Washington players took time Monday to savor their first victory since the end of last year.

“The offense and defense were really feeding off each other,” said linebacker Scott White. “I wish we could have that feeling more often and I think we will. When things are going good that feeling is always around.”

Washington’s defense was a bright spot against San Jose State, holding the Spartans to 133 total yards and just 22 yards passing.