Seattle – With Arizona digging deep for defensive-back reinforcements, conventional wisdom would indicate that the University of Washington passing attack should greatly benefit Saturday at Husky Stadium.
After last week’s UCLA-Arizona brawl right before halftime – precipitated by the run-around-the-stadium actions of a “streaker” dressed as a referee – the Pacific-12 Conference came down reasonably hard on both schools, suspending a total of 10 players.
The four players out for the Wildcats are all from the defensive secondary – including standout starting cornerback Shaquille Richardson and nickel back Jourdon Grandon, who plays starter-like minutes because Arizona regularly employs five defensive backs.
Earlier this week, interim coach Tim Kish, who took over after Mike Stoops was dismissed on Oct. 10, was uncertain what the Wildcats’ personnel situation would be. He said safeties could switch to cornerbacks, and a few players from the offense could move to defense – at least for this game.
So, is this a good opportunity for a bigger rebound performance by quarterback Keith Price and the UW offense?
Coach Steve Sarkisian reiterated after practice Thursday that might not necessarily be the case – at least early on in the game.
“I don’t know who they are going to line up in this game,” Sarkisian said. “Robert Golden was a cornerback last year, and is a safety this year – and we don’t know if he’s going back to (cornerback) for this game.
“There is a lot of information we’ll have to compile early in this game to try and figure out what they are doing. That doesn’t mean we are not going to throw – we are going to throw the football.”
Last reports out of the Wildcats’ camp in Tucson, Ariz., this week, indicate that either Cortez Johnson, a true freshman, or sophomore Derrick Rainey could occupy Richardson’s spot – at least for a half until Lyle Brown, who is serving a half-game penalty, is eligible to play.
Another true freshman – Tramayne Bondurant – could fill the nickel-back role, especially with backup safety Mark Watley suspended for a half.
The other three starters – cornerback Trevin Wade, and Golden and Marquis Flowers at safety – are available.
“We are not sure how that is all going to fit together by Saturday,” Kish said.
With this kind of news comes an inherent trap-situation mentality. The Huskies should benefit … but trying to quantify how much might be counterproductive.
“We just have focus on the guys who are going to be playing,” UW receiver Jermaine Kearse said.
Or, as Price put it, “They will still have good players back there. And they are all (on) scholarship.”
Look no further back than two weeks ago, when the Huskies were in a similar situation.
Colorado came to town having lost 10 defensive backs since the start of the season, mainly to injuries. And Price threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns against that patchwork secondary in three quarters of action in UW’s 52-24 rout.
EXTRA POINTS
Safety Justin Glenn (foot), who was injured in the Stanford game, did some team-period work Thursday but clearly was not anywhere close to being fully healthy. Sarkisian said the junior from Mukilteo could see some playing time. He would likely be the No. 3 free safety behind Will Shamburger, who is expected to start, and Nate Fellner.
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442 todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
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