By the Numbers, Husky Defense Isn't Receiving Credit It Deserves

Much like Heisman Trophy quarterback candidate Michael Penix Jr., Washington's starting defense hasn't had to play a full game just yet. The Huskies have jumped out to big leads in each of their first four games and outscored their opponents 199-68.

Thanks to those lopsided results, Washington's defense ranks 75th in the nation, allowing an average of 370.8 yards per game — a somewhat skewed number.

Over those four games, the Huskies have allowed 500 yards in the fourth quarter. Two hundred and five yards came against the California Golden Bears, who left the majority of their starters in the game while Washington's coaching staff opted to let its walk-ons and true freshmen get some game action.

The Huskies permit an average of 17 points per game, which slots them at 27th in the nation. The majority of those points have come in the second half too, as Washington's defense has allowed just three touchdowns in the first half.

Co-defensive coordinators Chuck Morrell and William Inge have seen a slight improvement in that area from 2022, when the Huskies gave up an average of 19 points per game through the first four contests. But now, the secondary is forcing interceptions at a much higher rate.

After recording 7 picks in 2022, the Huskies matched that number following 3 first-half interceptions at the expense of Cal quarterback Ben Finley. Now the Huskies are moving into the toughest part of their schedule offensively.

With Arizona, which is currently ranked 31st in the nation after averaging 450 yards per game, and then Oregon, the nation's No. 2 offense (behind Washington) much tougher challenges are on the horizon.

So far, the Husky defense has shown improvement on every level with sacks the only area of regression. But even in getting after the quarterback, Washington is doing it at a high level.

The pass rush was credited with 22 hurries against the Golden Bears and, even though the Huskies didn't record a sack, Morrell was pleased with how the defensive line forced Finley to make bad decisions.

"Of course, you want to pile up the stats in the sack realm," Morrell said Monday. "But at the rate we're taking the ball away right now — that's just as much if not more of a positive."

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