“All we ask for is you be consistent on your given down trust in your abilities, trust in your coaching. When you’re at the point of attack: Do your job,” Washington’s defensive coordinator said about the defensive effort on any given Saturday.
Although he acknowledged that giving up 3 passing plays of 40 yards was not ideal.
“There are some things that we need to work toward to get squared away before we take continue to the next step,” Inge said about the style of play against Boise State.
Pressure off of the edge was consistent the two sacks, one of which was initially ruled a safety until overturned, came from the middle of the defense.
“From an attacking standpoint is how we would have expected it to have been for game 1,” Inge said.
Inge identified Tuli Letuligasenoa, Carson Bruener, and Davon Banks as players who graded out the highest, although Bruener and Banks remain second in the rotation at linebacker and cornerback positions, respectively.
Banks alone had an outstanding game as Boise State targeted him on 3rd down several times where he came up with 3 pass breakups to snuff out drives.
Letuligasenoa was only credited with one tackle but his continuous pressure, along with Ulumoo Ale and the edge rushers made Boise State QB Taylen Green uncomfortable in the pocket most of the afternoon.
“He’s going to require you to block him with two guys,” Inge said of Ale. “If you block him with one he’s going to be in the backfield most of the time. I know our linebackers love when his butt is in front of them because they’re going to be free–being able to flow and be able to make plays.”
With Washington’s depth issues in its defensive backfield last season Inge highlighted how both corners Elijah Jackson and Davon Banks played Saturday.
“It was great to be able to see Davon Banks at the point of attack a few more times than EJ, and (Banks) being able to make his plays,” Inge noted.
“I think there were also some really good things that EJ did that no one really got to see at the same point,” he continued. “We’re definitely pleased with how those guys are playing.”
Playing both Banks and Jackson is a luxury seldom afforded Inge in his first year as Washington’s defensive coordinator.
“It also shows a tribute to some of the depth aspect that we’re able to build at some specific positions when you’re able to have some guys come in and make the plays that they’re supposed to make,” he said.
Inge noted that he was able to play 6 players who were seeing Ale’s butt in front of them.
“Everyone played very well,” he said of his linebacking crew. “We played six guys and what’s funny is that one of the guys who played best was the true freshman Deven Bryant when it comes to production per play.”
Bryant finished tied for fourth on the team with 4 total tackles, but second with 4 solo tackles.
