Taking stock: Stats show how balanced, dominant No. 5 Huskies have been this season
Oct 11, 2016, 9:54 AM
Washington wide receiver John Ross leads the country with nine touchdown receptions. (AP)
(AP)
To truly be a contender for the college football national championship, it requires dominance in every phase of the game. So let me present the case of the Washington Huskies, as that’s exactly what they’ve been.
Ranked fifth in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls heading into their one and only bye of the season, the 6-0 Huskies sit behind only perennial powers Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Michigan – and for good reason. In addition to their perfect record, the Huskies are sixth in the nation in scoring defense (14.2 points allowed per game) and fifth in scoring offense (49.5 points scored per game), and they lead the Pac-12 in both.
Those stellar standings are a testament to how balanced Washington is on both sides of the ball and effective on special teams. Here’s a closer look at what the Huskies have done so far:
• Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning is a Heisman Trophy candidate, leading the FBS in touchdown passes (23) and passer efficiency (204.9 rating). Don’t get tricked into thinking he’s a one-man show on offense, though.
• Three wide receivers have at least 300 yards and four touchdowns receiving. The speedy John Ross leads the way at 371 yards on 30 receptions, and his nine receiving touchdowns lead the nation. He is followed by Dante Pettis (345 yards, six touchdowns, 23 catches) and Chico McClatcher (313 yards, four touchdowns, 16 catches). Throw in tight end Darrell Daniels (143 yards, one touchdown, 11 catches), and Browning has no shortage of weapons to throw to.
• As if that wasn’t enough offensive firepower, there’s still the combination of Myles Gaskin (599 rushing yards, five touchdowns) and Lavon Coleman (395 yards, two touchdowns) in the backfield. Even with so much attention on Browning, Ross and co., Washington is second in the Pac-12 with an average of 229 yards per game on the ground.
• On defense, there is seemingly no weakness at any of the three levels. Part of the equation is in the red zone, where UW is allowing opponents to score in only 70.6 percent of their trips inside the 20. That leads the Pac-12.
• Rushing the passer was one of the few concerns for the Huskies entering the year, as they appeared to lack an edge rusher. It has not been a problem, to the point that they are second in the nation with an average of four sacks per game. Joe Mathis leads the way with five this season, tying him for 30th in the country, followed by fellow linebacker Psalm Wooching with 4.5.
• The secondary is having just as strong of a season, ranking first in the conference and 17th in the country by allowing just 177.3 passing yards per game. It appears Washington is getting a bit of the Legion of Boom treatment, too, as it has just five interceptions – a respectable number, no doubt, but also a sign of the respect that safety Budda Baker, cornerback Sidney Jones and the rest of the secondary command from their opponents.
• Even though the Huskies aren’t racking up interceptions like maybe they would hope, they’re still best in the country both in turnover margin (plus-13), takeaways (17, tied with Texas A&M) and defensive fumble recoveries (12). They’re also tied for third in turnovers committed with just four.
• Finally, special teams is yet another area Washington has excelled. It is allowing just 17.5 yards per kick return, leading the Pac-12, while ranking second in the conference on its own kick returns at 27.2 yards per return.
