Arizona Line Poses Big Test For Washington's Edge Rushers

Washington's pass rush has recorded just six sacks through four games and getting after the quarterback won't get any easier against the Arizona Wildcats. No matter who starts at quarterback between the injured Jayden de Laura or backup Noah Fifita, he will be well protect behind Arizona's offensive line.

Washington's edge rushers are in for a challenge against an offensive line headlined by left tackle Jordan Morgan and right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea, Similar to the Huskies' Bralen Trice, Morgan spent his summer building street cred as a possible future first-round pick while Savaiinaea has been a standout for the Wildcats in his redshirt freshman season.

This will be the toughest pair of tackles the Husky defensive line have faced this season, with neither player permitting a sack this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Yet Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui could turn this into their best opportunity to get after the quarterback.

Trice, who has yet to record a sack this season, has received a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines — consistently finding himself double- and even triple-teamed, depending on the protection assignments.

From Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Phoenix, Trice held a 31 percent pass-rush win rate in 2022, according to PFF, which is a lot easier for him to replicate when he's lined up one-on-one across from an offensive tackle.

On the other side, Tupuola-Fetui has had a bit of a revival as a pass rusher, recording two sacks at Michigan State while attempting to master the art of jumping the snap, to the point that co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell said he's doing it "sometimes too well."

Although the Wildcats will be facing a higher level of competition, offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll seems confident in leaving his tackles on islands instead of having a tight end or running back join in to help in pass protection.

Washington's defense has improved in almost every area from the 2022 season, except for collecting sacks. This feels like a golden opportunity for the front seven to get after the quarterback, especially if the less-mobile Fifita is under center instead of de Laura.

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