Falcons have options

SEATTLE – It isn’t so much the Air Force option that has Washington football coach Tyrone Willingham worried. Yes, it’s an unusual formation, one none of the Huskies have a lot of experience against.

Willingham thinks his team is prepared to deal with Air Force’s complicated rushing attack in the 12:30 p.m. opener today at Qwest Field. But he is worried that the Huskies will be so geared up to handle the run that they will forget that the Falcons are also capable of putting the ball in the air.

“They’ve improved their ability to pass the ball,” Willingham said. “They don’t sprinkle it just with the option. The quarterback is about 60 percent completions, so that’s a little unique in that style of offense. And their receivers do a good job in that their average-per-catch is very high. It gives you a lot of demands on all areas of your defense. But discipline is the key word.

“Our players will see a lot of things they aren’t used to seeing. It’s their ability to stay focused on what they’re supposed to be focused on that will be key.”

Both teams are looking to turn around disappointing seasons. After a couple years of turmoil, Washington hit bottom last season with a 1-10 record, ending with a six-game losing streak. Air Force was 5-6, only the third losing record in coach Fisher DeBerry’s 22 seasons.

Both coaches say they aren’t concerned with what happened last season and seem convinced that the other will bounce back.

“We’re definitely better and I know Washington is better than that record,” DeBerry said. “They have better athletes than that. … I’m real anxious to see how this team is going to rebound.”

Besides showing his first UW team is improved, Willingham, is excited to see how an experienced defense, led by a talented front seven, will handle the Air Force option.

Last season, the Falcons averaged 277 rushing yards a game, and that was with an inexperienced offensive line. At the same time, quarterback Shaun Carney was outstanding as a true freshman, completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,315 yards and rushing for a team-high 596 yards and six touchdowns.

DeBerry, whose defense allowed 31 points a game last season, isn’t sure what to expect from UW’s offense under new coordinator Tim Lappano and junior quarterback Isaiah Stanback. Of course, Willingham isn’t too sure what to expect, either.

“But that’s the fun part,” Willingham said. “I’m as anxious as anyone to see if the work we’ve put in … will translate onto the field. I believe that we’re prepared, but you never really know until you’re out there.”