Task gets no easier for Huskies’ patchwork offensive line
The Washington Huskies offensive line has been held together with Band-Aids and rubber bands, it seems.
Left tackle Joe Toledo went down with a high ankle sprain in the first game of the season. Right tackle Robin Meadow swung over to the weak side. Stanley Daniels lost his starting spot to Clay Walker. Chad Macklin left the Cal game in Week 2 with a knee injury. Defensive lineman-turned-offensive tackle Tui Alailefalula was inserted into the lineup.
Is it any wonder the unit is struggling to find consistency in its play?
“I think there have been times when we’ve played decent football, but the consistency of doing it right all the time to make our offense consistent has been too hit and miss for my liking,” offensive line coach Mike Denbrock said.
Washington’s offensive line struggled against a physically overpowering Oregon defensive front.
Quarterback Isaiah Stanback was sacked for a season-high four times, including two times on third downs.
Oregon’s all-Pac-10 defensive tackle Haloti Ngata flattened UW center Brad Vanneman in one-on-one matchups. Defensive end Devan Long had four tackles for loss and two and 2 1/2 sacks as he easily beat the weak side of the line.
“There’s no question we were up against beasts (at Oregon), but I don’t think I’d ever look at it that (we were overmatched,)” Denbrock said. “I think we have the ability to get it done no matter who we play against. Some guys have been forced to play a little bit out of position. I just think that all of us need to look at what we’re doing inside and out.”
Now the Huskies’ line has an even more daunting challenge as top-ranked USC visits Saturday.
The Trojans defense has been overshadowed by its own dominant offense, but USC still leads the conference in rushing defense allowing just 101.2 yards per game and three touchdowns. It is also ranked second in total defense (350.3) and has given up a conference-low 14 touchdowns.
Senior end Frostee Rucker ranks among the Pac-10’s best in sacks (four) and tackles for loss (7.5).
“They’re a powerful team. They have a good defense, probably underrated, but the quality (of the defense) is very, very good,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. The Ducks lost to USC 45-13.
Denbrock said he’s searching high and low to find consistently high level of play from his men.
“Any time you’re not doing well, you have to turn over every rock you can – as a player and as a coach. We have got to find a way to get this thing on the right track. If that means picking up our consistency level, picking up our toughness, our overall play, then that’s what we need to do,” he said.
Head coach Tyrone Willingham said Toledo is full go in practice this week and he anticipates Toledo’s return to the lineup Saturday.
Injury updates
Running back Luke Kravitz fractured his right hand and will be out for 4-6 weeks, coach Tyrone Willingham said. Receiver Wade Gurnett sustained a clavicle injury that will keep him out of action for an undetermined time. Safety C.J. Wallace (foot) returns to “full to limited” practice, Willingham said.