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Huskies Lose Mele, Banks with Season-Ending Injuries

Originally posted on FanNation Husky Maven | By Dan Raley | Last updated 9/18/23

Coming off a 41-7 victory over Michigan State in Big Ten country, it would be hard for the eighth-ranked University of Washington football team to be disappointed about anything, yet the physical nature of the game never lets anyone totally off the hook.

On Monday, UW coach Kalen DeBoer disclosed that staring center Matteo Mele and reserve cornerback Davon Banks have been lost for the season with upper-body injuries suffered against Tulsa — with Mele, as a sixth-year senior, presumably having his Husky career come to an abrupt end.

Banks, for that matter, suffered his second consecutive season-ending injury.

For both players, these situations were particularly disheartening over and above going through the pain of hurting a hand or a shoulder and having to undergo surgery because of their circumstances.

"Those are guys who poured a lot into their preparation to get ready to play, not just this season, but Matteo's been doing it for many years here," DeBoer said. "I feel super bad for the situation they have."

After starting a game at center as a redshirt freshman in 2019, the 6-foot-6, 298-pound Mele from Tucson, Arizona, had waited four long seasons to get another opportunity to be the No. 1 guy and won the job outright in spring and fall camp.

He didn't last even two full games as the Huskies' starting snapper, coming off the field in the fourth quarter against Tulsa holding his left hand and drawing a host of medical personnel around him on the bench.

Banks, a 5-foot-11, 184-pound sophomore from San Jacinto, California, went out with his injury in the first half against Tulsa after having a sensational opening game with 4 pass break-ups against Boise State the week before.

It was thought he might even push fellow sophomore Elijah Jackson for the starting corner job opposite Oklahoma State transfer Jabbar Muhammad.

In 2022, Banks played in the first nine games and started against California and Stanford before suffering a shoulder injury against Oregon State and was done for the season.

"It's really unfortunate," DeBoer said of Banks. "He's a guy playing so well. Davon just brought a lot of energy and played with so much passion. He brought juice to our secondary the first couple of games and played really good football."

Against Michigan State, redshirt freshman Parker Brailsford replaced Mele at the No. 1 center and is backed up by freshman Landen Hatchett, who made his college debut against the Spartans, likely moves into the rotation and won't redshirt.

As the No. 3 corner, Banks' snaps will go to junior-college transfer Thaddeus Dixon, holdover sophomore Jaivion Green or Oregon transfer Darren Barkins.

Also, DeBoer said that usual starting safety Asa Turner won't play for the second consecutive week after going out with what appeared to be right hand injury against Tulsa while wearing already wearing a cast on his left hand. Sophomore Vince Nunley took his game-opening spot against Michigan State.

Junior wide receiver Jalen McMillan, junior safety Kam Fabiculanan and junior defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele all are expected back for California, DeBoer said. Tuitele, a 13-game starter in 2022, hasn't played yet this season.

McMillan suffered an ankle injury against the Spartans and didn't return, while Fabiculanan and Tuitele made the trip to Michigan State but were held out either for precautionary reasons or because the game got out of hand.

Offensive guard Julius Buelow, who made his first start in two seasons at Michigan State hurt a knee or ankle and is questionable this week. If unable to go, presumably sophomore Geirean Hatchett would draw the start.

Go to si.com/college/washington to read the latest Inside the Huskies stories — as soon as they’re published.

This article first appeared on FanNation Husky Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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