Huskies Unable to Keep Durfee on His Toes -- Both of Them
Durfee’s foot injury source of frustration for Huskies
SEATTLE (AP) – When Washington coach Steve Sarkisian arrived at his weekly news conference Monday, he could barely contain his frustration.
His Huskies had just lost 38-23 to lowly Eastern Washington, an FCS team that had never beaten an FBS opponent before. But it wasn’t the loss that had Sarkisian so upset. It was the way his team lost.
Washington was penalized 13 times for 133 yards, turned the ball over twice, and allowed Eastern Washington to convert 10 of 15 third downs. The Huskies also had trouble generating offense, gaining just 326 total yards.
“We didn’t play with any discipline, we didn’t play with any toughness, and we didn’t play with any heart,” Sarkisian said. “That’s not the Washington Huskies football team that I know.”
One of the biggest problems for Washington was its inability to contain Eastern Washington quarterback Gage Gubrud. The junior threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns, and he also ran for a touchdown.
Sarkisian said Gubrud was able to beat the Huskies with his feet as well as his arm.
“He’s a very good athlete,” Sarkisian said. “He’s able to extend plays with his feet, and he’s very accurate with his throws.”
Making matters worse for Washington, running back Myles Gaskin was injured in the first quarter and did not return. Gaskin is the Huskies’ leading rusher, and his absence was a major blow to the offense.
With Gaskin out, the Huskies turned to Lavon Coleman and Kamari Pleasant in the backfield. Coleman rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown, but Pleasant was held to just 27 yards on 10 carries.
The Huskies also had trouble protecting quarterback Jake Browning. The sophomore was sacked four times and was under pressure all night.
Sarkisian said the Huskies need to improve their pass protection if they want to be successful.
“We’ve got to do a better job of protecting Jake,” Sarkisian said. “He’s getting hit too much.”
The Huskies will have a chance to rebound next Saturday when they host Fresno State. The Bulldogs are 1-2 this season, but they have a talented offense led by quarterback Chason Virgil.
Sarkisian said the Huskies need to have a better performance against Fresno State if they want to avoid another embarrassing loss.
