The Washington Huskies did a good job limiting the Utah running game, allowing just 115 yards to the Pac-12's top-ranked ground attack. However, the UW defense now has to show up again against the Oregon State Beavers, who pose a similar threat on the ground.
Led by running back Damien Martinez and a stellar offensive line, Oregon State's rushing attack averages 196.9 yards per game this season whereas Washington's defense allows 140.3.
While co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell's defense limited Utah on the ground, it allowed quarterback Bryson Barnes to throw for a career-high 267 yards, even though he relied mainly on timing routes and quick screens. If the Huskies can't figure out a way to stop the run early on, Oregon State will have the defense on its heels throughout the game.
The most important thing Washington can do is wrap up and tackle. The Huskies missed a fair amount of tackles against Utah, but the coaching staff has a solution to the problem that has plagued the defense all season.
"Sometimes you're trying to make too big of a hit and you may leave your feet a little bit too soon," co-defensive coordinator William Inge said during his press conference on Monday. "That's been one of the bigger issues we've been addressing because sometimes you leave your feet a little too soon instead of running through the ball carrier."
With rain in the forecast for Saturday, both teams could be forced to run the ball a significant amount. While that matchup favors Oregon State, the Huskies are well-equipped to stop the run.
The coaching staff went to a traditional 4-3 personnel package to stop the run against Stanford and could deploy it again in Corvallis against the Beavers' large, talented offensive line. The line is anchored by 6-foot-6, 333-pound right tackle Taliese Fuaga, who has been a big factor in OSU's success and will be a tough matchup for anyone along Washington's defensive line.
Defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa should once again play a huge role for the Huskies in the middle of the defense and appears to be fully healthy after missing two games before playing on a limited snap count against USC.
The senior is stellar against the run and in eating up blocks for his teammates. He'll be asked to play that role against Oregon State and could cause problems for the offensive line, especially if two or three linebackers surrounding him are attacking downhill to stop the run.
Limiting Martinez and sophomore Deshaun Fenwick on the ground is crucial for Washington's defensive game plan. While quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has a talented cast of pass catchers around him, it will be much harder for him to operate if he's consistently facing third-and-long scenarios.
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