For every two completions came a drop at the Washington Huskies’ first spring scrimmage Saturday.
The effort not only forced coach Steve Sarkisian to give the passing game a so-so rating, but there were plenty of reinforcement lessons waiting for the players at a cold and rainy practice Monday at Husky Stadium, particularly for the receivers.
“(Sarkisian) was talking about route-running,” said sophomore Jermaine Kearse, who caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in the scrimmage but admitted he had some issues on a few patterns. “We had some good routes, and there were times we ran some bad ones. We have to fix those things, and that is what we came out here to do.”
Dropped passes were one of the many detriments of the UW’s passing game last season. Most of the receiving corps was young with little college game experience.
Add the mammoth-sized Sarkisian playbook given out this spring, and Kearse said the receivers’ workload has become suddenly very substantial this spring.
“We’ve got way more routes this year than last year,” Kearse said.
A staple in Sarkisian’s passing offense has been, and should continue to be, the slant pattern.
Timing and rhythm are crucial in both the receivers’ routes and the quarterback’s drop and release.
“We’re just a little off – a little inconsistent or maybe we’re not running full speed,” Sarkisian said. “Again, it’s just another route we’re trying to get timing and rhythm of the throws so that everyone feels comfortable and confident with what we’re doing.”
The coach might have spent more time preaching that to the receivers Monday, but said they were hardly the ones to pinpoint the blame.
“I think (the receivers) are a little young. The quarterbacks are … young to the system. I don’t know if it’s always the inconsistency in the route-running, but the timing from the quarterback as well,” Sarkisian said. “We’re trying to get the two things to mesh.”
Sarkisian said he saw vast improvement on the team’s seven-on-seven drills, adding that timing will continue to be heavily emphasized in the second half of spring camp.
“Everything has to be on plane, and have that timing with the quarterback,” sophomore receiver Devin Aguilar said. “We’re building. We’re going to make those plays next season.”
Extra points
Having top receiver D’Andre Goodwin (hamstring) back on the field Monday was a welcome sight – that is, until he pulled up lame on a deep route midway through practice and fell to the ground. He aggravated the injury. Sarkisian said he’ll be shut down until at least Friday. … Backup tackle Skyler Fancher hurt his right leg on a run play with the second-team offense, and was carted off for X-rays. Sarkisian said the injury didn’t look good. … After a scrimmage performance that included a forced fumble, redshirt freshman Justin Glenn was operating with the first-string defense Monday. … The talk of camp – running back Demetrius Bronson, a Kentwood High graduate – created more buzz when he would have taken a handoff 92 yards for a score had coaches not blown the whistle to end the play. “I think he’s starting to surprise himself now,” Sarkisian said. … Former UW quarterback Johnny DuRocher, out of Bethel High, was at practice, and said he was leaving Sunday for extended workouts for professional scouts in Florida. He worked out for the Seahawks a week ago.
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