Game 1: UW vs Eastern Washington game notes

Washington’s Desmond Trufant (6) intercepts a pass intended for Eastern Washington’s Brandon Kaufman in the end zone. Washington defeated Eastern Washington 30-27. (AP Photo/File)

By Mark Knight
Special to 710Sports.com

The University of Washington nearly escaped disaster as the Huskies were able to beat Eastern Washington by a score of 30-27.

– Tim Tucker worked out with the running-backs and wore number 42. He was there to provide depth at fullback.

– Cody Bruns was the game-day captain and thus wore full pads. He is still expected to Redshirt.

– RB Chris Polk started after a week of speculation. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry on 125 yards.

– Special teams made, arguably, two of the biggest plays of the game. Both muffed punts, one was was broken up by Desmond Trufant.

– Sean Parker is looking solid at strong safety replacing Nate Williams. A clear ball-hawk.

– The defensive line held EWU to only 31 rushing yards. Hau’oli Jamora and Alameda Ta’amu were very disruptive in that department.

– EWU’s first score came on a wide open receiver, Ashton Clark.

– WR Jermaine Kearse was shaken up in the first quarter. He sprained his ankle and his status for next week remains unclear.

– Two different tipped balls that could have been intercepted by UW on EWU’s second drive. Everette Thompson and Desmond Trufant.

– Jesse Callier and Chris Polk received all of the carries at running back. Frosh Bishop Sankey played a little at the start but didn’t see much more action.

– EWU was exceptional in the passing attack. Bo Levi Mitchell did almost whatever he wanted in the passing game. He was 39-of-69 and had 473 yards with three touchdowns.

– Short completions was the name of the game for EWU vs. UW, reminiscent of Arizona’s offensive attack two seasons ago. The Eagles were doing that the whole way down the field and UW seemed, for the most part, unable to stop it.

– Erik Folk made field goals of 53, 47, and 40 yards.

– Garrett Gilliland saw some action and was able to make a few solid tackles and a great interception.

– Keith Price sprained his knee midway through the first half but came back into the game after trainers placed a knee brace on him.

– Backup quarterback Nick Montana was warming up to go in but Price was able to be cleared by the training staff in time.

– EWU was constantly going for it on 4th down. Word was that the coaching staff doesn’t completely trust the kicker. They were 2-for-4 on 4th down conversions and only punted the ball one time. That punt came with 6:45 to play in the third quarter.

– Kiel Rasp punted the whole game for UW. No sign of Will Mahan in this game.

– Five players notched their first career reception for the Huskies- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Kasen Williams, Jonathan Amosa, DiAndre Campbell, and Michael Hartvigson. Two of them had touchdowns, Amosa and Williams.

– The interception in the end zone by Desmond Trufant with 29 seconds left in the game helped the Huskies seal the deal against EWU.

– Interesting note: 60 players on the EWU roster are from the state of Washington.