Twitter
    Sportspress Northwest
    • Football
    • Baseball
    • NCAA
    • Hockey
    • Soccer
    • Basketball
    Twitter
    Sportspress Northwest
    Twitter
    Home » Stopping Huskers rush: Stay put
    University of Washington

    Stopping Huskers rush: Stay put

    Todd DybasBy Todd DybasDecember 27, 2010Updated:October 4, 20122 Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Reddit LinkedIn Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Reddit LinkedIn Email
    Washington is desperate for Alameda Ta'amu to help stop the run against Nebraska. (Drew Sellers/Sportspress Northwest file photo)

    SAN DIEGO — The questions early Monday evening on an auxiliary field at the University of San Diego campus were similar to the ones four months ago.

    How to stop Nebraska’s running attack.

    Three players, quarterback Taylor Martinez, and running backs Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead ran for more than 100 yards against Washington in the first game. For the Huskies, it boils down to integrity.

    Not the kind politicians lack. Rather gap integrity. The translation of generalized answers like, “We were trying to do too much” means players were out of position.

    Nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu pointed at himself on Monday. Of his role in the defeat,  Ta’amu said he was lurching to other gaps in pursuit of the ball when he should have stayed and plugged his spot. In turn, Nebraska’s backs were darting through the space he and others left.

    “I’m here, I see the ball, like, ‘Man, I can make that,'” Ta’amu said. “If I go there, the hole gets even bigger.”

    It seems counter-intuitive, but in some ways, the Washington defenders are better off letting others make the play. It’s a matter of discipline.

    Ta’amu, an upbeat mass of a young man at 6-3, 330 pounds, put himself through a guilt trip. He claimed the majority of the blame for Nebraska’s running success. According to head coach Steve Sarkisian, there was plenty of blame to go around and Ta’amu is on the uptick.

    “He’s playing with much better technique and I think his understanding of his role within the defense has really elevated,” Sarkisian said. “In turn, I think that’s why our rush defense has gotten better and better as the year has gone on. Obviously it started right there.

    “I’m not going to say it’s all on Alameda the first time we played Nebraska, but it’s nice to know your nose tackle feels that way and has come a long way. And he’s played at the end of the year like we thought he could. Like an All-Pac-10 player.”

    To have a shot on Thursday, he’ll need to play just that way.

    Injuries pile up
    Defensive end Talia Crichton (knee) is doubtful to play. So is safety Sean Parker (stinger). But Cody Bruns should be able to hold.

    Sarkisian said Parker’s ongoing problem with a neck stinger will not threaten the safety’s career.

    “It’s just something that’s going to take time to get his strength back,” Sarkisian said. “He’s not near the severity of either E.J. (Savannah) or Cameron (Elisara), but E.J. came back from it, so we’re confident Sean will.”

    Sarkisian said Parker will not be 100 percent until spring practice.

    With Crichton out, Kalani Aldrich, Chris Robinson and De’Shon Matthews will be in the mix on the defensive line .

    Share. Facebook Twitter Reddit LinkedIn Email

    Related Posts

    The day that college sports start to go pro

    July 1, 2021

    NCAA amateurism is dead. Mayhem will fill the void

    June 24, 2021

    Thiel: Gonzaga’s Few sounds the alarm on NIL

    June 14, 2021

    2 Comments

    1. Dave Schultz on December 28, 2010 6:21 pm

      It’s not happenin’.

    • Follow @Art_Thiel on Twitter
    Use our affiliate link on Amazon

    Subscribe to Our Weekly Roundup

    Get the top stories sent to your inbox every Thursday.

    Art Thiel on KNKX 88.5FM

    Kirsten Kendrick's Q. & A. with Thiel can be heard every Friday during Morning Edition at 5:45am and 7:45am and again that same day on All Things Considered at 4:44pm. It also airs Saturday at 9:35am.

    Listen now!
    Latest Posts

    A few musings about sports journalism as the unwinding begins

    February 18, 2022

    Carroll’s staff makeover seeks to get Wilson back in the game

    February 16, 2022

    Arizona loss unmasks truths about Hopkins, UW hoops

    February 15, 2022

    Rams win a survivors contest called the Super Bowl

    February 14, 2022
    Twitter
    • Football
    • Baseball
    • NCAA
    • Hockey
    • Soccer
    • Basketball
    © 2025 Sportspress Northwest

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.