Hampton, Ale Had Their Best Husky Games in the Desert

In the first quarter at Arizona, the University of Washington defense was as stout as it's been all season over the opening two drives, limiting the host team to seven harmless plays and forcing punts each time.

Defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa got things started by sticking out a meaty arm on the first pla y and wickedly drop Wildcats running back Jonah Coleman to the ground for a 4-yard loss.

The Huskies next sent their specialized edge-rusher team onto the field and unleashed Bralen Trice, Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Sekai Asoau-Afoa and Voi Tunuufi all at once, leading to a couple of hurried passes.

Add to that two quick Husky scores and the crowd at Arizona Stadium turned real quiet.

Into the second quarter, the Wildcats were able to make some adjustments and finally began to move the ball, ending the UW's opening spell of total dominance.

However, two Husky defenders continued to have breakout games for the rest of the evening — strong safety Dominique Hampton and defensive tackle Ulumoo "M.J." Ale, both sixth-year seniors.

"We think Dom Hampton may have potentially played his best game here, as well," co-defensive coordinator William Inge said. "When it comes to making tackles, making plays, getting guys down on the ground and getting some phenomenal effort plays on the ball."

The numbers proved out Inge's assessment for the Arizona native who obviously was inspired to play well in front of his parents and for the final time in his home state as a college player.

The hard-hitting 6-foot-3, 220-pound Hampton finished with a game-best 12 tackles and became the first Huskies defender to reach double-figures this season by a wide margin. The previous high was 8 by linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio against Tulsa.

With the UW winning its first four games in lopsided fashion, the first-team defense often has been done playing by sometime in the third quarter, limiting anyone from piling up large stats.

The 6-foot-6, 327-pound Ale, a new starter on the defensive line this season, likewise had his best outing for the Huskies.

"To see M.J. Ale up front, he is what you call a full-time stocky stuffer," Inge said in his typically colorful fashion. 

While his 3 tackles weren't overwhelming, Ale made sure his big body got in the way and was a problem for the Wildcats throughout the contest, forcing them to improvise and work around him. 

Ale has learned how to use his thick and powerful frame to be disruptive, continuously drew multiple bodies to him and thus enable UW teammates to make plays. Early on, he stepped into the hole and brought down Rayshon Luke for no gain.

"When you put him over the center and the guard in that A gap, someone is going to have to block him with two people," Inge said. "Seeing him defeat the blocks and attack the line of scrimmage, and make a couple of plays in the backfield, that was definitely great to see."

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