Entering the 2012 season Washington Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian outlined a list of goals he wanted his team to accomplish. Two of the top things on the list: improve defensively and win eight games this year.
Washington has won four-straight games, largely on the strength of the defense, and will try to accomplish the second goal on Friday as the 7-4 Huskies travel to Martin Stadium to take on the Washington State Wildcats in the battle for the Apple Cup.
The Huskies had one of the toughest schedules in college football and played that way, winning only four of its first seven games. The team has been much better since losing to Arizona on Oct. 20 when they gave up over 50 points for the second time this season in a 52-17 defeat on the road.
Since then, the Huskies have won four straight games and haven't allowed more than 17 points in any contest. The team is coming off of a 38-3 thrashing of Colorado and is only allowing 23 points per game this season, compared to 36 from 2011.
"It just took us a little time to mature on offense. But the end result is, (the defense) gained confidence by us playing that way," Sarkisian said to the Associated Press. "Knowing that we were going to lean on them, sometimes that's empowering. They felt that, and they've really responded. The way they've been playing this last month of the season has been tremendous."
The Huskies are ranked 36th in points against this season and is playing much better offensively, rushing for over 140 yards per game. Although the team is ranked only 92nd in scoring, the team is gaining over 350 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Keith Price has been impressive for Washington this year, throwing for 2,292 yards and 16 touchdowns, but has 10 interceptions. The junior was excellent last Saturday in the team's win against Colorado, throwing for 248 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.
The most impressive win for Washington was an upset 20-17 victory against then-No. 7 ranked Oregon State, which started the team's winning streak. The Huskies have won four-straight conference games to improve to 5-3 in the Pac-12.
The offense has been crucial to the winning streak, scoring more than 34 points in the past two weeks. Running back Bishop Sankey has played stellar over the four-game run, scoring six touchdowns and rushing for over 400 yards, including 162 against Utah in a 35-15 victory on Nov. 10.
"The rapport with the receiving corps, the anticipation and understanding coverages and where guys are going to go has just really improved in the last month," Sarkisian said. "Again, that's a sign of a guy willing to work, willing to try and get better, and taking to coaching."
The secondary and pass defense has improved greatly from last season and is only giving up 174 yards per game. Cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Desmond Trufant have combined for three interceptions this season and have been essential to the success of the team's base defense.
"It's been good to us that way," Sarkisian said. "We still go to some of our nickel stuff which has been good to us as well. ... But all in all, our base defense is something that is pretty well-versed to play against anything."
Last season the Huskies went 7-6 and finished in third place in the Pac-12 North division with a 5-4 record. Washington went to the Alamo Bowl where they lost to Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin and the Baylor Bears 67-56.
Washington State comes into the game on an eight-game losing streak and has yet to win a Pac-12 game this season.
The Wildcats have been struggling on offense under first-year head coach Mike Leach, who was known for his prolific passing units while coaching at Texas Tech.
"I think at the end of the day the statistics are just a matter of execution," first-year defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said. "You execute well, the statistics are going to be better."
Washington State started off the season with a 30-6 loss on the road at BYU, but rebounded to win two-straight, including a 24-20 win against Eastern Washington and a 35-27 victory at UNLV. The team has since lost eight in a row, including a 51-26 defeat against then-No. 2 Oregon on Sept. 29 and a 44-36 loss against then-No. 18 UCLA.
The Huskies have been successful passing the ball this season, ranking 10th in the nation with 328 yards per game. The passing attack is critical in Leach's spread offense and the Wildcats will try to produce big plays against Washington's secondary.
Washington State can end the season on an optimistic note after going more than two months without a win.
"I'm kind of looking forward to it," Leach said. "... I think they're already motivated. I think the biggest thing need to focus on is our effort, our work, our development."
Last year Washington defeated the Wildcats in the final game of the season, winning 38-21 at home. The two teams play for the Apple Cup each season after starting the tradition in 1900. The Huskies have won three straight matchups and leads the all-time series 67-31-6.
The Huskies have clinched bowl eligibility and will play in the postseason for the third straight season. According to the Associated Press, "Washington last won five straight regular-season games in 2000, when it won its last seven conference games on its way to a Rose Bowl berth."
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