PINEHURST

Left 6:30AM...arrived at 11:00. Roy's Infinity rode very well. It was an absolutely fine, Carolina day. Temps in the mid-70s and blessed with Carolina blue skies. Saw cotton in South Hampton County, VA. I hope to get a picture of that on the way home. Played Course #4 with 2 members...Frank and Mary Ellen. Played the par 3s in even par...birdied the first par 3 (the one that is surrounded by azaleas in the back with water in front right. Hit the ball pretty well but left knee is still sore.

UW 16, USC 13....DAWGS WIN!!!

Huskies go old school in 16-13 upset of USC
Washington's victory over Trojans reminds former players of glory years

By Bob Condotta

Seattle Times staff reporter

In the sea of humanity that swarmed onto the field at Husky Stadium after the biggest moment in years, there were a few who had been there before. Former players who had once enjoyed similar glory then watched helplessly as the program sunk to depths they could never have imagined.

"I had a multitude of [former players] come up to me and say just 'thank you,' " said middle linebacker Donald Butler after the Huskies shocked No. 3 USC 16-13 on Saturday. "Thank you for finally showing everybody else that UW is serious and not just some cake team you can run all over."

For a few scary moments Saturday, however, it looked like nothing had changed as the Trojans moved easily down the field the first two times they had the ball, rushing for 111 yards in the process, to take a 10-0 lead.

"Early on in that game you would have thought we would have gotten beat 50-0," said UW coach Steve Sarkisian.

But then the Huskies dipped back into a past that those former players surely happily recognized, playing the kind of grind-it-out game the program was once noted for and holding the Trojans to just three points in the final 49:24.

It was a shocking turnaround for a defense that last year ranked as the worst in school history. It was a group that was challenged this week by defensive coordinator Nick Holt, who told reporters Wednesday that there are "deficiencies there with personnel" on the defense. Then they were further challenged by USC's fast start.

"They could have cashed it in and said, 'We can't stop them, we can't stop their run,' " Sarkisian said. "But we kept battling, we kept competing."

They also got some help from their coaches, who made a few strategic moves after the first couple of drives. One was to stick with the Huskies' base 4-3 defense after experimenting with different looks, including an up defensive end a couple times, and four linebackers on one play.

"We felt, I felt as a team, as a defense, we can go one-on-one with them," said linebacker Mason Foster. "That's all we need to do, is man up and zone up and just play basic stuff, and that's what we did."

There were also a couple of personnel changes as true freshman Talia Crichton started at defensive end, and Everrette Thompson came in during the third drive at defensive tackle. Both are among UW's faster players on the defensive line. Thompson, a sophomore from Kennedy, had been a defensive end until moving to tackle this week.

"We were looking at a couple of things [on the first two drives], and I think that ultimately, you get back to basics," Sarkisian said. "And I felt we needed to put more speed on the field, especially at the defensive line, and not just try to go toe-to-toe with them, and move around and try to play fast. And it worked out for us."

Thompson, listed at 6 feet 6, 262 pounds, filled in the spot usually held by Alameda Ta'amu, listed at 348.



"Nothing against Alameda," said middle linebacker Donald Butler. "He's a big guy and we like him when guys try to run downhill at us. But when we get that zone stuff, we need someone who is not going to get reached or cut [blocked], and Everrette was able to come in and make some plays for us."

Washington held USC to 139 yards rushing the final three quarters, limiting the run enough to force first-time starting quarterback Aaron Corp to have to make plays with his arm. He struggled to do that, however, hitting just 13 of 22 passes for 110 yards and throwing a critical interception in the third quarter right into the arms of Butler after USC had reached the Huskies' 22-yard line.

On USC's previous possession, Butler had forced Trojans fullback Stanley Havili to fumble, one of three turnovers for the visitors, which Sarkisian cited as the key stat of the game. The other USC turnover came when Foster forced a Stafon Johnson fumble in the second quarter.

The fumble and interception were part of what was maybe the best day of Butler's four-year UW career. He made a game-high 12 tackles and two tackles for a loss.

And in the postgame giddiness, some of those former players — guys like Nate Robinson, Anthony Kelley and Mark Bruener were all present — also had another message for Butler.

"I saw some Rose Bowl rings and they said, 'Hey, get one of these,' " Butler said. "That's what it's all about. That's what we are gunning for."

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com
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here's a USC prediction before the game....

September 18, 2009


Tom Haire
Special to USCFootball.com

Related Links:

The War Room
Talk about it in The Peristyle
Game 3: Smells Like 'Team' Spirit

USC opens Pac-10 play in Seattle, where an old friend has pumped some life into a once-moribund Husky program.

The consensus No. 3 USC Trojans (2-0) open their 2009 Pac-10 Conference schedule on Saturday, September 19, against the Washington Huskies (1-1) at 12:30 p.m. (PDT) in Seattle's Husky Stadium and in front of a regional ABC television audience. It is the 80th meeting between the schools, with USC leading the series, 49-26-4. A season ago, USC throttled the winless Huskies, 56-0, at the Coliseum - the Trojans' seventh consecutive victory over UW. USC's last visit to Seattle, in 2007, was a much closer call, as Troy edged a game Husky squad, 27-24.



Steve Sarkisian now wears purple


A week ago, the Trojans added another classic moment to the program's storied annals, stunning then-No. 8 Ohio State, 18-15, in front of an Ohio Stadium-record crowd of 106,033. True freshman quarterback Matt Barkley and running back Joe McKnight led a 14-play, 86-yard drive that ended with a game-deciding 2-yard Stafon Johnson touchdown run with 1:05 to play. Meanwhile, the Huskies broke a school-record 15-game losing streak, defeating Idaho, 42-23, in Seattle. Junior quarterback Jake Locker threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score for Washington.

Trojan Coach Pete Carroll is in his ninth season at USC (90-15 overall, 58-10 in the Pac-10) having led the Trojans to seven consecutive Pac-10 crowns, 11-win seasons, BCS bowl appearances and top-4 national finishes, including two national championships. Meanwhile, Washington headman Steve Sarkisian - the former USC offensive coordinator, who spent a total of seven years on the Trojan staff - is in just his third game at the helm of the Huskies.

The Washington program bottomed out in 2008 under Tyrone Willingham, suffering a brutal 0-12 season that was marred by the loss of the multi-talented Locker to a September injury. Sarkisian and his Trojan-bred staff (there are five UW coaches/staffers with Trojan ties) were brought in to breathe new life into the program and, through two games, there's no question that the staff's energy has rubbed off on the Huskies, who hung close with LSU in the opener before drubbing Idaho. With Locker back running the offense and a new confidence about the program, Washington is looking to make this a very interesting conference opener.

Washington Offense
While much of the buzz about the Huskies' early season improvement has been about the change of mindset instilled by the coaching staff, the return to health of Locker has likely made a bigger on-field impact in the Husky attack. Certainly, Sarkisian and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier knew when they arrived in Seattle that, with Locker, they were taking over an offense that was much more capable than the one that closed out 2008. Still, in installing an offense more akin to USC's pro-style attack, the new UW brain trust was taking a risk. Locker has always been a fast and physical runner from the QB spot, and has a very strong arm - but touch and accuracy have always been a question. Locker appears improved thus far, completing 60 percent of his passes, with five TDs and just a single interception. At the same time, his situational running has been solid, and he's averaging just less than four yards per carry on an average of nine attempts per game. Locker makes the Husky offense go, and containing him will be job No. 1 for USC Saturday.

Redshirt freshman running back Chris Polk, a one-time USC recruit, has wasted no time in staking claim as the second option in the new Husky attack. With 170 yards in his first two games - including an impressive 90-yard performance against LSU - he's showcased both speed and physicality. He's the clear man atop the depth chart, while sophomore Johri Fogerson (a converted safety) and sophomore Curtis Shaw spell him for a carry here or there. Senior Paul Homer is an excellent blocker, who sees the rare pass thrown his way. Both Polk and Fogerson are also receiving threats.

Another freshman is off to a stellar start in the Husky receiving corps, as James Johnson leads UW with nine grabs so far, two for scores. He, too, was especially impressive against LSU. Locker, though, has been spreading the love. Tight end Kavario Middleton, a sophomore, has been a great possession option so far, with seven grabs. Three other wideouts - junior D'Andre Goodwin and sophomores Devin Aguilar and Jermaine Kearse - have at least five catches in the first two games.

The Husky front five has also shown improvement so far, allowing just two sacks and clearing the way for a once-anemic rushing attack that is now averaging just a tick below four yards per carry. There is a little more experience in this group than the other positions, with senior LT Ben Ossai leading the way and juniors Ryan Tolar (C) and Cody Habben (RT) each having started at least 17 games for UW. Former walk-on Gregory Christine (LG) has worked his way into starting position, while RG Senio Kelemete has adapted well in transition from defensive tackle. Quality, experienced depth remains an issue here.

Washington Defense
Former USC defensive coordinator Nick Holt, now on the job in Seattle, also had some decent pieces returning to what had been a decimated Husky defense by the end of 2008. With a 4-3 design quite similar to USC's base defense (stunning, I know), the Huskies do have some experience in the front seven, but have been unable to consistently pressure quarterbacks without relying on the blitz - which has left their young secondary vulnerable to big plays. The Huskies are allowing 106 yards rushing per game (but at 4.1 yards per carry), and a troubling 260.5 yards passing, including 349 yards through the air to Idaho.

A starter since day one of his career, rangy senior DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim is the Husky leader up front. A second-team All-Pac-10 choice a year ago, he's had a total of 16.5 sacks the past two seasons and has added one so far in 2009. At the other end spot, senior Darrion Jones returns to the starting lineup this week, but sophomore Kalani Aldrich will also see time. Giant sophomore Alameda Ta'amu (all 6-foot-3, 348 pounds of him) is expected to be a run stuffer, but has struggled so far. Junior Cameron Elisara has been the leading tackler among the group so far, with six, from the other tackle spot.


Associated Press

Jake Locker is on of the best QBs in the country


The biggest addition to the Washington defense this season has to be senior weakside linebacker E.J. Savannah. He had 111 tackles (including 14 for loss) in 2007, before missing last season with a series of off-field issues. Reinstated by the new staff, Savannah leads the Huskies with 19 tackles so far and is a playmaker on a defense in dire need of more. The Huskies also have plenty of experience at the other two spots, as junior Mason Foster mans the strong side, while senior Donald Butler is in the middle. Foster was the Huskies' defensive MVP a season ago, while Butler is second on the team in tackles so far, with 14. Quality depth is a recurring issue for the Huskies, and it's no different with this group.

In the secondary, the Huskies feature junior strong safety Nate Williams, who is being pushed for time by classmate Victor Aiyewa. The duo has 15 tackles combined. Redshirt freshmen Justin Glenn and Greg Walker are also splitting time at free safety, with Glenn the nominal starter. Their inexperience has been exploited early in the season. Sophomore Quinton Richardson and junior Vonzell McDowell Jr. are the returnees at cornerback, though true freshman Desmond Trufant has played his way into the rotation. This young group really needs to step its game up.

Washington Special Teams
Sophomore Erik Folk, a highly regarded high school kicker a couple years back has finally taken over full-time duties for the Huskies after battling injuries. He's three-of-four so far on FGs and perfect on PATs. He's also been instrumental in the Huskies holding kickoff returners to an average of less than 14 yards per opportunity. JC transfer Will Mahan is averaging nearly 45 yards per boot through two games as UW's new punter. Fogerson is handling punt returns, and has looked explosive, averaging 18.5 yards per chance. Sophomore receiver Jordan Polk and Richardson are splitting kick return duties.

USC Offensive Gameplan
Normally, after taking things slow with Barkley through the opener and an extremely difficult road debut at Ohio State, one would imagine that the Trojans' offensive brain trust would be ready to open things up against a Husky defense that looks especially questionable in the secondary. However, with rain forecast for Saturday and - more importantly - USC's starting quarterback situation again in flux thanks to a bruised shoulder suffered by Barkley at Ohio State, things may continue to be a little more conservative for the Trojan offense.

Though Barkley threw lightly in practice for the first time this week on Thursday, and reserve quarterback Aaron Corp has looked sharp taking first-string reps (as well as looking fully recovered from a leg fracture suffered in early August), Carroll, offensive coordinator John Morton and playcaller Jeremy Bates have - to this point - refused to anoint a starter for Saturday's game. Should it be Barkley, would his shoulder limit USC's downfield passing? If Corp gets the nod, do the Trojans go back to vanilla since it would be his first start, and in a reasonably hostile environment at that?

Let's be honest, though. Washington - though clearly improved - is not a defensive juggernaut. No matter who lines up under center, the Trojans should be able to move the ball against the Husky defense. Washington has not gotten much pressure on quarterbacks without risky blitzing, and the UW linebackers have been forced to make up for so-so front line play against the rush. If McKnight is able to go after suffering flu symptoms throughout the week, he should be able to put the Trojans into some mismatch situations. At the same time, this week should be a coming out party for USC's receiving corps against a young and questionable UW secondary.

USC Defensive Gameplan
Outside of one misread by Taylor Mays and a perfect throw by Terrelle Pryor on a play where Mays was sidelined by a knee injury, the USC defense dominated Ohio State. The Buckeyes totaled 10 first downs and just 88 yards rushing. In fact, outside of the Buckeyes' first-quarter touchdown drive, the Ohio State offense managed two field goals in the final 45 minutes - the same time span in which it gained a mere 120 yards. If anyone out there is not yet a believer in the Trojans' young defense, I'm wondering what exactly you're looking for?

They will, however, face a new test against Locker and Polk. At this point in their careers, Locker is a better player than Pryor. He looks to have settled into Sarkisian's system. Unlike Ohio State, where Pryor was given a number of designed running plays, Locker's designed runs seem more limited under the Huskies' new regime. However, this presents a bigger dilemma - reining in Locker's effectiveness as a scrambler. Yes, the Trojans would rather see him throwing under pressure, rather than escaping into a broken field. Because of this, I don't expect a ton of sack opportunities for USC's front seven this weekend, while the Trojans try to urge Locker to throw the ball to more containable check-down receivers.

Polk adds another dimension to the Washington attack. If he's able to get off early, he clearly makes the Huskies - and Locker - that much more dangerous. However, though the UW offensive line has performed fairly well in the Huskies' first two games, they have yet to face a front seven with the versatility and speed of USC's. How the Trojans handle Polk and contain Locker's escapability will decide just how effective the UW offense can be.

The Pick
It's Pac-10 time, always a key moment for USC's "Win Forever" mantra. However, the Trojans have struggled mightily in conference road openers under Carroll, going 4-4 - including last season's loss at Oregon State. Two years ago, a heavily favored USC team eked out a three-point win in Seattle in the Pac-10 road opener. Simply put, it just hasn't been easy for USC in these games.

Tack on the intrigue of the mentor-student angle, a resuscitated Husky program coming off a win for the first time in nearly two calendar years and questions about the health of three of USC's top players (Barkley, McKnight and Mays), and you can see how there is some trepidation among Trojan followers heading into Saturday.

Rain or shine, however, the Trojans should be able to physically overpower the Huskies. The Dawgs just don't yet have the horses to stay with USC for an entire game without a series of breaks. While Locker and Polk will make some noise early on - the one thing you can count on under Carroll is USC allowing early points before usually shutting teams off like a water spigot - expect the Trojans to impose their physical will on both sides of the ball, allowing them to eventually taking advantage of the Huskies' thin secondary. Whether it's Corp or Barkley at the helm, USC should have its biggest passing day of the young season on Saturday and pull away for its eighth consecutive victory over UW.

USC 34, Washington 14
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Wrong. Can you Spell upset!!! Go Dawgs
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Huskies' win the start of something special
In one game, they punctuated their rapid return to significance, altered conservative preseason predictions of four or five victories and, most likely, launched themselves into the Top 25 for the first time in six years. Oh, and they avenged a 56-love loss from last season.


By Jerry Brewer

Seattle Times staff columnist

Let's start with the first reaction of Steve Sarkisian, the victorious young coach who bested his mentor, restored Husky pride and rattled the nation during one seismic, seminal, sensational afternoon.

"Wow," Sark said.

Remarkably, that little word managed to contain this enormous feat.

The University of Washington football team, which had lost 15 consecutive games just nine days ago, defeated No. 3 (like, in the whole country, dude) USC 16-13 at Husky Stadium on Saturday.

Wow.

The Huskies won with quarterback Jake Locker delivering the first game-winning fourth-quarter drive of his college career.

Wow.

In one game, they punctuated their rapid return to significance, altered conservative preseason predictions of four or five victories and, most likely, launched themselves into the Top 25 for the first time in six years. Oh, and they avenged a 56-love loss from last season.

Wow.

"It's a great moment," added the 35-year-old Sarkisian. "Hopefully, it sends a message of where we're headed and what we're trying to do."

The Huskies didn't just send a message. They stamped it on the foreheads of everyone who paid attention. They enabled their deprived, resilient fans to transform their years-long frustration into a wild celebration.

When the game ended, the crowd rushed onto the field, dancing, singing, hugging. Sarkisian couldn't reach USC coach Pete Carroll, his mentor, because of the merriment. He couldn't find his wife, either. After a few attempts, he gave up and joined the party.


"Those are things you dream about as a kid," Sarkisian said.

We can debate for hours whether this victory truly means the Huskies are back. We can talk about the team needing to prove its might again. We can talk about USC having to play without quarterback Matt Barkley and safety Taylor Mays and with limping running back Joe McKnight. But here's one undeniable truth that this win illuminates: Wherever you think the Huskies are, they're on an awe-inspiring ascent. And it doesn't feel like they'll stop rising for a while.

"Hands down, this is the greatest day I've ever experienced," said linebacker Donald Butler, who led a defense that forced three USC turnovers. "I'll be telling it to my children, to my grandchildren. I'll be talking about this day for a long time."

The day didn't start with this much hope. The Trojans built a 10-0 in the first 10 minutes. Their offensive line dominated the Huskies early, providing mammoth holes, making it easy for McKnight and his fellow running backs. After the first USC drive — a touchdown after six plays and 80 yards of leisure — Sarkisian thought to himself, "Uh oh." He'd seen this before. He'd coached on the other side, during times when the USC offense would get rolling and turn invincible. He wondered how the Huskies would respond.

After USC made a field goal on its second drive, the coach gathered his players and said, "Hey, it's 10-0. Big deal."

Well, it was a big deal, but fortunately, there were 50 minutes of game time left. He focused on those, and for the rest of the game, the Huskies played more aggressive, more poised, and watched the Trojans stumble and falter amid an uncharacteristic display of penalties, turnovers and bad quarterbacking.

In the end, the most impressive accomplishment was that the Huskies, considered a clone of USC because Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Nick Holt coached there, beat the supposed better version straight up — no tricks, no individuals playing beyond their abilities, no bizarre plays that skewed the game.

Wow.

It means the Huskies are legitimately good. It means that Sarkisian's effusive promise to revive the program quickly is more than hype.

"I firmly believed that," Sarkisian said of his promise. "Some people in the world, maybe outside of our own little domain, thought that was just press conference-speak. But when you get around our kids, when you get around our coaches, I firmly believe that it's not going to take us very long."

And I firmly believe what he firmly believes. Sark is special. These players have shown tremendous fortitude in recovering so triumphantly from despair. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, will always be known as the day the Huskies became the Huskies again. The day impossible became possible again.

"I've never felt like this ever in my life," freshman cornerback Desmond Trufant said.

Get used to it, kid. This is merely the beginning. You're in for a lot of glory.

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com, Twitter: @Jerry_Brewer

More Jerry Brewer headlines...

LABOR DAY

It rained this morning. While surfing FB, I came across this really kewl group. It's nice to see a new generation of folks going cappella. What a nice way to spend a rainy day....

BEN AND PATRA

Ben Smith is in town. I called him up after hitting balls at Owl's Creek. I was a bit upset from losing my prized Oakley Golf sunglasses...the pair I bought in Myrtle Beach back in 2002. Those were my favorite sunglasses of all time. I realized I left them on the golf stand at the grass tees of Owl's Creek. I took them off because it was a bit muggy. I remember seeing them...but I don't remember taking them as I left for the office. A presentation on a new digital panorex awaited me. Hopefully I left them at the office. I doubt it. But hey...7 years without losing the glasses? That's pretty good. Right???

Ben and "Heart" stayed at the Wyndham on 57th street. As a circled around the complex I noticed their bus parked. Later I found out there were three busses total: each Wilson sister had a bus...the third was for the rest of the group. Yikes.

We had lunch at No Frills Grill. As I sat, I noticed we will be served by one of my favorite people I've met. Patra. She was the young lady whose father owned a small pizza shop by my office. Edwina and I recognized her a few months ago when we popped into this restaurant. She is really nice...the type of girl who is a humble wanderer. We got to talking. Found out she is moving to Seattle on Jan 27. This she told us after I introduced Ben...a great friend and drummer of Heart. As we conversed as to why move to Seattle, I found it she was Tracie's friend whom I let Anthony meet a her ago. She hung out with Anthony. She was impressed by his intellect. Was even more impressed with Seattle's melancholy vibe. In any case, I do wish her luck. She is a sweet girl.

She gave me her email and #: kpatra23@yahoo.com 757 499-4525