Seattle – Call it adding gasoline to the bonfire.
As if the University of Washington had not been showcasing its embarrassment of riches enough on offense during the first month, the rare notable exceptions – at least from a touchdown-scoring standpoint – had been tailback Jesse Callier and receiver Kevin Smith, both sophomores.
In his bye-week review, UW coach Steve Sarkisian took note of it – and changed it Saturday in the team’s 52-24 rout of Colorado at Husky Stadium.
Seven players accounted for the Huskies’ touchdowns. Included in the barrage were Smith’s 22-yard run off a reverse in then first quarter – the team’s first non-Chris Polk or Jake Locker rushing touchdown in 28 games – and Callier’s 26-yard scamper in the third quarter.
“Yeah, our first time scoring since high school,” Smith said. “Everybody else was glad for us, as well. I was happy for Jesse getting in (the end zone) for a first time.”
The Callier situation seemed like an anomaly. He was the team’s second-leading rusher last season behind Polk, was the primary kickoff returner and played in all 13 games.
For his career, through 51/2 games this season, Callier had 121 touches (rushes and receptions) for 658 yards, but no scores.
But after Polk’s 28-yard run put the Huskies at the Colorado 26 late in the third quarter, Callier got the next carry, broke off right tackle and was gone like a streaking greyhound.
Remember, this was the running back at Warren High School in Downey, Calif., who tallied 43 touchdowns as a senior. He scored in every prep game he played – including a career-high six touchdowns in one game against Whittier High.
“Obviously I wanted to get in there. I was not going to beat myself up about it,” Callier said. “On that play … I saw the hole – and I saw daylight. It was a feeling I will never forget.”
Sarkisian has said throughout this season he needs his explosive players to make big plays. He certainly got that Saturday against the Buffaloes.
“I wanted to get Jesse going. He is a big part of our offense, so to get him back involved was big,” Sarkisian said. “And (Smith) has been coming. He just hadn’t had his opportunities when the game has been there.”
MONTANA DEBUTS
Nick Montana finally got to take his first collegiate snap, and it was a memorable one.
The heralded recruit came in for Keith Price midway through the third quarter. On his first play, he dropped back to pass and held the ball a little too long. How long? Long enough to get drilled by Colorado’s Chi Uzo-Diribe.
Montana fumbled the ball after a bone-crushing sack and the Buffaloes recovered.
“The first play? Welcome to college football, Nick Montana,” Sarkisian said with a chuckle. “He can put that in his book someday.”
But after his jarring initiation, Montana looked capable as a quarterback.
He completed his two pass attempts for 10 yards and was able to get the team in and out of the huddle efficiently.
“As he got settled in, I thought he played well,” Price said.
TIMU BACK IN ACTION
The last glimpse of John Timu at Husky Stadium was a scary one – he was lifted on a stretcher into the back of an ambulance after a violent helmet-to-helmet collision Sept. 24 against California.
The good news since then was that Timu was cleared to return to football shortly after. The bad news was that his starting outside linebacker spot is now occupied by Lakes High’s Jamaal Kearse.
Timu entered the game at the 7:57 mark of the second quarter. He finished with two tackles – one behind the line of scrimmage – and a pass interference penalty.
“It was great to come out there and make a few plays for the defense,” Timu said.
A BRISK PACE
UW coaches said last week the no-huddle offense was the alternative plan for the game in case the offense got off to a sluggish start.
But the more they ran the no-huddle in practice, the more the Huskies liked it.
By Saturday, the no-huddle was a staple of the Huskies’ attack against Colorado, starting late in the first quarter.
“As we invested some time into it, we thought it was pretty advantageous for us to get it into some looks,” Sarkisian said. “The tempo of it … (quarterback) Keith (Price) operates in that setting pretty well. The kids enjoyed it.”
EXTRA POINTS
Price threw four touchdown passes Saturday, which brings his season total to 21. That is tied for fourth all-time in a UW single season with Jake Locker (2009). Also, Price has 23 for his career, which ranks him 14th in school history. … Jermaine Kearse, out of Lakes High, caught his 28th career touchdown on the team’s opening drive – a 17-yarder. He trails only UW career leader Mario Bailey (30). … Polk (117 rushing yards) posted his 16th career 100-yard showing – one short of Napoleon Kaufman’s record of 17. … Receiver Kasen Williams (ankle) played only on punt returns, taking one 9 yards. … Other than linebacker Garret Gilliland (shoulder stinger), the Huskies came out of the game injury-free. … Sarkisian did not appear too bothered by UW’s penalty for sideline interference by the coaches in the first quarter. “I’d rather us be like that (excited) than stand there with our hands in our pockets,” the UW coach said. … The Huskies had not scored 30 or more points in six consecutive games – until Saturday. … Both Kearse brothers were game-day team captains.
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442 todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483 ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com
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