In the Washington Huskies’ 31-24 victory over Arizona, some UW starters showed some cracks in their armor.

For the first time this season, Saturday night in Tucson night averted a house of horrors that has often been the case in the State of Arizona.  Instead, the Huskies left with a win and two weeks to look in the mirror to fix an array of self-inflicted wounds.

After a dominant 1st quarter the Husky defense struggled to get the Wildcat offense off the field. UA quarterback Noah Fifita looked more and more comfortable in the offense from the second quarter on as he orchestrated the best offensive game plan against the Huskies all season.  He became more and more comfortable the more holds his offensive line was able to get away with, but that’s a story for another day.

Speaking of penalties, the Huskies held the Wildcats to 21 points and just 323 total yards.  However, when the penalty yards are included the yardage surrendered moves over 400 with 7 penalties for 80 yards.  Those penalties were often drive-enabling penalties.

Here are RealDawg’s Defensive Grades from Saturday night in the desert:

Defensive Line

At times, the defensive line looked as dominant as ever. Tuli Letuligasenoa started the game with a clothesline tackle for loss. Ulumoo Ale also had some run-plugging holes later in the game.

Overall the D-line had their worst game of the season (something you will read a lot in this article) giving up 3.5 yards per carry and, at times getting pushed around. Letuligasenoa left the game and didn’t return, Ale was also nicked up at points leaving the line a little thinner. 

It’s difficult to look down one’s nose at the effort from a defensive front that gave up a mere 110 rushing yards to the Wildcats.

Grade: B-

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Edge

Since the officials refused to call holding against the offensive lines blocking Washington the pass rush struggled today, it’s more difficult to tally the importance of the pressure put on Fifita.  In reality, it’s a bit of a mismatch given that Fifita is 5-11 and 180 pounds.  Containing him was a feat in and of itself holding him to 22 yards all on 5 scrambles.

Bralen Trice did record his first sack in the season. They didn’t get home enough to knock Fifita off his rhythm as much as expected. 

Grade: C+

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Linebackers

Arizona RB Jonah Coleman was the most physical running back Washington has played to date.  Listed at 5-9 and 205, he ran violently and ran through UW’s linebackers to get a few extra yards.

Edefuan Ulofoshio had a personal foul penalty that sustained a drive, as well as a hold that kept another drive going.  Both are completely out of character and occurred late in the game.

Alphonso Tuputala was the best out of the bunch but still was run through a few times. 

Grade: C

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Cornerbacks

The corners had some of be best and worst plays on Saturday. After an impressive first 4 games, Jabbar Muhammad was beaten a few times resulting in a pass interference call.

The corners did keep Arizona from getting behind them most of the game resulting in Arizona having to score on long drives which they were able to do.

Elijah Jackson was really impressive tackling ball carriers on the open field. He was left on an island and was the only player that could prevent a big play. Thaddeus Dixon had an interception drop that would have made this at least two-score game. 

Grade: C-

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Safeties

Dominique Hampton was an absolute enforcer. He looked like the old Kam Chancellor with the Seahawks who would finish tackles with violent intent. It paid off late in the game on a ball down the sideline. The receiver felt Hampton coming and brought his arms in leading to an incompletion. Vince Nunley came up with the only takeaway of the game. Overall this group played well outside of a pad interference call they made most of the plays in front of them. 

Grade: B