UW goal: stopping big kick returns
A lot of the problems that have plagued the Huskies this season were solved, for at least a day, during Saturday’s 27-9 win at Stanford.
One that wasn’t was UW’s kickoff coverage, which continues to rank last in the Pac-10. Washington has a net average of 35.8 yards per kickoff, meaning opponents are starting on average at about the 34-yard line. Stanford averaged 30.6 yards on five returns.
“We’d like it to be a lot better,” said coach Tyrone Willingham. “Right now we are not getting off the double teams and not getting off the other blocks well enough in the manner that we’ve got to do it to make our coverage successful. I think our guys are giving decent effort. Now we need better technique.”
Willingham and special-teams coach Bob Simmons said the Huskies will continue to look at alterations to their coverage schemes.
But one area where they say they are limited is changing personnel. The kickoff team consists mostly of younger, reserve players. Cornerback Roy Lewis has been the only starting defender on the team all season.
Simmons said the lack of depth on defense makes it hard to ask any of the starters to do much double duty, and also pointed to the fact that all three starting linebackers have had injury issues.
Murchison ready for more
Contrary to what was reported after Saturday’s game, UW cornerback Jordan Murchison had played previously this season, actually getting in on a few plays on special teams against Arizona.
But the time he got at cornerback against Stanford was the most significant of his career, and he could take on a similar role this week as an extra defensive back in UW’s nickel packages if true freshman Nate Williams isn’t recovered from a hamstring strain. Williams didn’t practice Tuesday and wasn’t in pads for Wednesday’s practice, so he’s likely out for this week.
Murchison had one tackle against the Cardinal and “did a nice job,” Willingham said.
Murchison was suspended for the first four games of the season after being arrested on a domestic-violence charge and an assault charge.
He agreed to a stipulated order of continuance on the domestic-violence charge and if he adheres to guidelines set forth over a two-year period, the charge will be dismissed. On the fourth-degree assault charge, he was sentenced to one year in jail with all but two days suspended. He was also ordered to perform 224 hours of community service and complete an anger-management course.
Among Murchison’s requirements was to work at the Matt Talbot Center, a recovery program and treatment center located in Belltown under the guidance of former Huskies player Greg Alex.
Murchison said he talked with Willingham “periodically” during the time away.
“He would say to keep positive and do positive things and hopefully things will work themselves out,” Murchison said.
Willingham allowed Murchison to return to the team, though he won’t discuss details of his decision-making, saying those are private.
Note
• The forecast calls for rain and temperatures in the mid-40s Saturday, likely continuing a string of wicked-weather games against the Beavers.