With the the 11th ranked Michigan State Spartans coming to Montlake this weekend, Washington head coach,  offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell spoke with the media about the game against Portland State and the team leading up to MSU.

Here’s some things to note about everything said at the Monday press conference:

“Jaxson Kirkland had a good practice yesterday,” Grubb said. “Just trying to make sure we follow medical advice…we’re planning on him playing.”

Ryan Grubb said, “[he’s] not surprised in the slightest that Giles has had success early this season.”

Grubb also noted Corey Luciano taking a step forward against Portland State after UW didn’t have great center play week one against Kent State

Grubb said the priority would be getting Sam Huard reps because he hasn’t had nearly as many as Dylan Morris if UW had control going into the second half (against PSU).

“[Michigan State] plays like a championship level team,” said Grubb. “They play hard.”

Ryan Grubb noted he’s been most pleased overall with the lack of negative plays and turnovers.

Grubb commented that Rome Odunze is good to go for Saturday and practiced yesterday.

Morrell says cornerback play has been “off and on” so far. Mentions they’ve played a lot of guys. “They’ve been grinding to fix a few mistakes.” Says the plan is for Jordan Perryman to play this week.

Morrell also applauded Julius Irvin’s man-to-man coverage and that he made the switch to cornerback without hesitation.

Kalen DeBoer said now that the team knows the standard there’s no reason they shouldn’t play above it moving forward.

“Everyone understands that we have a top 15 team coming to our place on Saturday,” said Kalen DeBoer on looking ahead to the important matchup against Michigan State.

DeBoer said all of the running backs’ involvement on special teams is going to be crucial Saturday.

DeBoer acknowledged kick-offs not going out of the endzone by saying that they are trying to drop the ball in a spot where the coverage team can get there to make a play. “We haven’t seen the execution of those kicks where we want them yet.”

DeBoer on Michigan State WR Germie Bernard who was previously signed with UW smiled while saying, “He’s a great kid, I’m going to wish him nothing but the best — except this week.”

“We need Husky Nation out here in a big way on Saturday,” said DeBoer.

He went on to describe the importance of a packed Husky Stadium.