Huskies to guard against letdown

SEATTLE – The talk of the Pac-10 last week was whether the third-ranked USC Trojans were setting themselves up for a letdown game at Washington after the big win at Ohio State.

That one came true by way of a 16-13 loss to UW, and now it’s the Huskies being asked whether they’re destined to fall.

With unranked Stanford (2-1) set to host 24th-ranked UW on Saturday, the Huskies are in the unfamiliar position of being set up for the letdown.

“We don’t want to be one of those teams that plays hard against one of the top-ranked teams in the nation and then loses,” safety Nate Williams said Monday.

If the Huskies (2-1) need further motivation this week, it’s that they’ve been tapped as seven-point underdogs despite making their first Top 25 appearance in nearly six years.

“I want our kids to get used to the arena right now because this is where we’re supposed to be,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday. “We’re supposed to be playing in big games. And when you get used to, and comfortable in, that arena, I think that’s when letdowns don’t occur.”

Savannah OK

For the second time this season, senior linebacker E.J. Savannah has broken a bone in his left hand.

“It’s OK. I’ll be able to play with it,” said Savannah, who will wear a cast for about four weeks but won’t have to have surgery.

He expects to play at Stanford on Saturday.

More honors for UW

Senior linebacker Donald Butler was named the Pac-10 Conference defensive player of the week, and sophomore kicker Erik Folk was named the special teams player of the week.

Butler had 12 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in the victory over USC.

Folk hit the game-winning field goal against the Trojans, making good from 22 yards out with three seconds left.

Cal’s Jahvid Best was named the Pac-10’s offensive player of the week after scoring five touchdowns in a win over Minnesota.