After eight days and 10 regular practices – and the season opener against Eastern Washington just over two weeks away – the Washington Huskies needed a full scrimmage. With so many young players expected to see the field, the need for live-game situations is increasingly important.
A scrimmage is a good starting point to answer some questions coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff face in the coming weeks.
“I think it helps,” Sarkisian said. “Guys show some of their true colors in this setting. It’s hard to be physical all the time in practice when you are not tackling.”
The couple of hundred fans in attendance got to see a 90-minute scrimmage that had some big plays, several mistakes, lots of hitting and plenty of reps for those young players. Unofficially, the Huskies ran 93 plays. There were six penalties and several screams from Sarkisian to hurry up and find the high tempo he demands.
“There were a couple things here and there,” he said. “We had a series where we had a play called back because of a false start, and then another false start. Those are the things that have nothing to do with who you’re playing; those are self-inflicted wounds.”
Veterans such as running back Chris Polk, linebacker Cort Dennison, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and offensive linemen Senio Kelemete and Drew Schaeffer played sparingly. Sarkisian and his staff know what they can do.
“That was exactly as planned,” he said. “This was somewhat like an NFL preseason game where the starters get a series or two and then you work in some of the backups where there’s still a few starters in there, and then it works its way to the young guys.”
Polk, the team’s most consistent offensive weapon, played the first series, carrying the ball nine times for 36 yards and scoring on a 1-yard run. His most impressive run was a 20-yard burst in which he exploded through the line and into the secondary, shaking off two arm tackles in the process. After the series, he was a spectator.
The No. 1 offense, led by quarterback Keith Price – and without Polk – still managed to score twice in the four remaining series against the No. 1 defense. Jesse Callier had a 2-yard touchdown run, and Erik Folk booted a 51-yard field goal.
INJURY UPDATE
Defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu participated in the first two series of the scrimmage with the No. 1 defense. Ta’amu suffered a broken bone in his hand a few days ago and sported a taped-up cast to protect the hand.
Cornerback Quinton Richardson was wearing a walking boot on his left leg. ”
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483 ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com
Unofficial SCRIMMAGE stats
Rushing: Chris Polk 9-36, Jesse Callier 7-22, Johri Fogerson 8-50, Bishop Sankey 7-53, Dezden Petty 7-37, Willis Wilson 4-23, Colt Sager 1-3, Keith Price 3- (-7), Nick Montana 2- (-1), Derrick Brown 1-(-6)
Passing: Keith Price 7-9-80, Nick Montana 14-20-113, Derrick Brown 5-8-34
Receiving: Kasen Williams 4-53, Devin Aguilar 2-40, Kevin Smith 1-20, James Johnson 4-69, DiAndre Campbell 3-17, Evan Hudson 1-16, Marlion Barnett 3-25, Travon Brooks 2-13, Michael Hartvigson 1-12, Austin Seferian-Jenkins 1-7, Jamaal Jones 1-12, Jesse Callier 2-8, Josh Perkins 2-12
Scoring
Chris Polk 1 run (Erik Folk PAT no good)
Jamaal Kearse 25 fumble return
Trayvon Brooks 2 pass from Nick Montana (Folk PAT)
Erik Folk 51 field goal
Dezden Petty 13 run (Folk PAT)
Jesse Callier 2 run (Folk PAT)
Eric Guttorp 36 field goal
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