2014 football season thread

[RegentDenali]

With the announcement of the entire new staff in place, it's time to kick off 2014. Exciting times for the Husky program. Lots of work to do as well. Go Dawgs!!!

 

[RegentDenali]

Today was the first official media day meeting with the entire new staff taking questions. The 2014 staff:

Head Coach: Chris Petersen

Offense:

Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach: Chris Strausser
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Jonathan Smith
Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs Coach: Keith Bhonapha
Wide Receivers Coach: Brent Pease
Tight Ends Coach: Jordan Paopao


Defense:

Defensive Coordinator: Pete Kwiatkowski
Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach: Bob Gregory
Defensive Line Coach/Special Teams Coordinator: Jeff Choate
Defensive Backs Coach: Jimmy Lake

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Tim Socha

Graduate Assistants:

Kenyon Blue
D'Andre Goodwin
Conor Knowles
Danny Razore

Director of Player Personnel: Rich Rasmussen
Director of Football Operations: Mike McHugh

 

[RegentDenali]

OC Jonathan Smith mentioned today the Huskies offense will be similar to the up-tempo offense that was installed in 2013, but will include elements of the Boise State system as well.

Priorities: "recruiting is huge. We want to put together a solid signing class, so the next three, four weeks are going to be all about that. The second thing is we want to get to know these players, just start relationships with those guys."

Keith Bhonapha said it's going to be a challenge to build the 2014 class.

"Yeah, you really are behind. And the problem with being behind is we knew the numbers that we needed before (at Boise), and now you come in here … and we have to go back and circle the wagons on all these guys we didn’t think we needed before. That’s probably been the big thing.

Chris Petersen was on KJR today. Good updates on how things are progressing with the staff and recruiting:

1-7 Chris Petersen

 

[WizardHawk]

UW’s 2014 schedule:
Aug. 30: at Hawaii
Sept. 6: vs. Eastern Washington
Sept. 13: vs. Illinois
Sept. 20: vs. Georgia State

Sept. 27: vs. Stanford
Oct. 4: Bye
Oct. 11: at Cal
Oct. 18: at Oregon
Oct. 25: vs. Arizona State
Nov. 1: at Colorado
Nov. 8: vs. UCLA
Nov. 15: at Arizona
Nov. 22: vs. Oregon State
Nov. 29: at Washington State

Not exactly a soft landing for his first Pac conference game, but then there doesn't look like the clumping that leaves us with another 3 game losing skid anywhere either unless you think they struggle with UCLA, zona, and OSU.

 

[TheDayMan]

UW’s 2014 schedule:
Aug. 30: at Hawaii
Sept. 6: vs. Eastern Washington
Sept. 13: vs. Illinois
Sept. 20: vs. Georgia State

Sept. 27: vs. Stanford
Oct. 4: Bye
Oct. 11: at Cal
Oct. 18: at Oregon
Oct. 25: vs. Arizona State
Nov. 1: at Colorado
Nov. 8: vs. UCLA
Nov. 15: at Arizona
Nov. 22: vs. Oregon State
Nov. 29: at Washington State

Not exactly a soft landing for his first Pac conference game, but then there doesn't look like the clumping that leaves us with another 3 game losing skid anywhere either unless you think they struggle with UCLA, zona, and OSU.

He doesn't need a soft conference opener with the out of conference schedule...

 

[WizardHawk]

He doesn't need a soft conference opener with the out of conference schedule...

It's more about momentum and building team confidence.

 

[RegentDenali]

Initial schedule thoughts:

1) No Thurs or Fri games this year. We've been nailed by these a lot since the PAC12 broadcast deal. I don't mind 1 or 2 of these per year at it gets on national tv which is always great for recruiting and cred. But I'm not sheading a tear about it this year. This increases the likely hood of more games being 1pm-4pm start times this year, especially at Husky stadium. I like the sound of that.

2) Apple cup moves to Sat! I'm so very glad they finally did this. It was one of my biggest gripes since the PAC12 broadcast deal started. Expecting UW fans to travel in significant numbers across the snow covered passes thanksgiving night or break of dawn morning fri for an apple cup in Pullman starting at 1pm really dropped the number of UW fans going. The stands were half empty for these games in Pullman. This will really boost the number of UW fans going to the game this year.

3) Favorable balanced schedule. The new coaching crew gets a gift with 4 very winnable OOC games to start the season and with 4 home games in Sept. That's a gift right there, even if the 4th home game is Stanford. It's at our house and Stanford is losing quite a bit of it's key talent this year. Sept will be a great way for Petersen to work out any issues and get ready for the guts of our schedule. The PAC. + Stanford, ASU, and UCLA at Husky stadium this year.

4) No 3+ game gauntlets. 2 big back to backs with Oct. 18: at Oregon - Oct. 25: vs. Arizona State & Nov. 8: vs. UCLA - Nov. 15: at Arizona. But with each of those, 1 is a home game.

5) Byes. Only 1 this year no matter what because of the 4 game OOC. It comes early on Oct 4th. It would of been nice if it could of been a few weeks later. But that's about the only problem I see this year.


All in all, I think it's a solid and favorable schedule for the 2014 Huskies with our new coaches. Just to to wait to see what times end up being scheduled for these.

Like it a lot. 8+ wins this regular season looks very doable again. GO DAWGS!!!

 

[RegentDenali]

A second glance at that schedule also has me thinking. If we can get that win against Stanford at Husky stadium, we could be looking at being 6-0 by Oct 18th when we travel to Nike U. 5-1 at worst if we do lose that game. I bet ESPN will notice this as well. Could end up in primetime with lots of national coverage.

Of course no guarantees, but still. Got to like the odds of being 5-1 and even 6-0 when we travel down there and can you imagine the hype that will be going on that week considering what Petersen teams did to the Ducks previously.

Wow. Really liking our odds of winning 8+ games again for sure.

 

[WizardHawk]

Here’s a breakdown of Washington’s roster after the Fight Hunger Bowl, taking into account the departed juniors and seniors and one known transfer, and a very early analysis of what the depth chart might look like heading into the spring, with the disclaimer that this will undoubtedly change before Chris Petersen coaches his first UW practice:

Note: The players’ class designations are for 2014
x-Denotes returning starter (for majority of 2013)
*Denotes scholarship athlete

Quarterbacks
Cyler Miles, so., 6-4, 213*
Jeff Lindquist, so., 6-3, 236*
Troy Williams, rs-fr., 6-2, 200*

Running back
Jesse Callier, sr., 5-10, 207*
Dwayne Washington, so., 6-1, 220*
Deontae Cooper, sr., 6-0, 201*
Lavon Coleman, rs-fr., 6-0, 209*
Ryan McDaniel, 6-0, 204*
Nick Zelle, fr., 5-11, 175

Wide receiver
x-Kasen Williams, sr., 6-2, 212*
Marvin Hall, jr., 5-10, 182*

Wide receiver
Damore’ea Stringfellow, so., 6-3, 225*
Taelon Parson, so., 6-1, 185

Slot wide receiver
x-Jaydon Mickens, jr., 5-10, 170*
John Ross, so., 5-11, 173*
Wesley Salyer, jr., 5-9, 172
Neel Salukhe, rs-fr., 5-10, 149

Tight end
Joshua Perkins, jr., 6-3, 224*
Michel Hartvigson, Sr., 6-6, 257*
Darrell Daniels, so., 6-4, 232*
David Ajamu, rs-fr., 6-5, 245*

Left tackle
x-Micah Hatchie, sr., 6-5, 3-5*
Jake Eldrenkamp, so., 6-5, 287*

Left guard
x-Dexter Charles, jr., 6-4, 289*
Erik Kohler, sr., 6-4, 294*
Taylor Hindy, so., 6-4, 315*
Michael Kneip, so., 6-4, 277

Center
x-Mike Criste, sr., 6-5, 3-6*
Siosifa Tufunga, jr., 6-2, 305*
Dane Crane, rs.-fr., 6-3, 3-4, so.*
Cory Fuavai, so., 6-3, 303*

Right guard
x-Colin Tanigawa, sr., 6-3, 275*
James Atoe, sr., 6-6, 349*
Shane Brostek, jr., 6-4, 278*
Andrew Kirkland, rs-fr., 6-5, 306*

Right tackle
x-Ben Riva, Sr., 6-6, 300*
Ross Dolbec, jr., 6-6, 310
Coleman Shelton, rs-fr., 6-5, 280*

Fullback
x-Psalm Wooching, so., 6-3, 228*
Derrick Brown, jr., 6-2, 245*
Ralph Kinne, rs-fr., 5-10, 210

Total returning starters on offense: 7 (8 counting fullback)
Estimated total scholarship players on offense: 34

Defensive end
x-Hau’oli Kikaha, sr., 6-3, 250*
Joe Mathis, so., 6-4, 250*
Jarett Finau, jr., 6-2, 263*

Defensive tackle
x-Evan Hudson, sr., 6-5, 277*
Connor Cree, jr., 6-4, 260*
Taniela Tupou, jr., 6-1, 281*
Damion Turpin, 6-3, 260*
Drew Schultz, sr., 6-1, 268

Nose tackle
x-Danny Shelton, sr., 6-1, 327*
Lawrence Lagafuaina, jr., 6-0, 334*
Elijah Qualls, rs-fr., 6-2, 293*

Stand-up defensive end/outside linebacker
x-Cory Littleton, jr. 6-3, 230*
Josh Shirley, sr., 6-3, 232*
Marcus Farria, so., 6-5, 235*

Outside linebacker
Travis Feeney, jr., 6-4, 224*
Keishawn Bierria, rs-fr., 6-1, 208*

Middle linebacker
x-John Timu, sr., 6-1, 235*
Azeem Victor, rs-fr., 6-4, 232*
Sean Constantine, rs-fr., 6-2, 229*
Ronnie Espedal, rs-fr., 6-0, 205
Eric Rauch, rs-fr., 6-2, 225

Outside linebacker
x-Shaq Thompson, jr., 6-2, 225*
Scott Lawyer, jr., 6-2, 227*
Connor O’Brien, rs-fr., 6-3, 235*

Cornerback
x-Marcus Peters, jr., 5-11, 193*
Travell Dixon, sr., 6-1, 196*
Caleb Taylor, rs-fr., 6-1, 185

Cornerback
Jermaine Kelly, rs-fr., 6-2, 183*
Patrick Enewally, rs-fr., 6-1, 184*
Kendyl Taylor, so., 5-10, 198*
Kyle Nelson, rs.-fr., 5-11, 170

Safety
Kevin King, so., 6-2, 178*
Thomas Vincent, jr., 6-0, 199
Brian Clay, jr., 6-1, 190

Safety
Brandon Beaver, so., 6-0, 192*
Trevor Walker, so., 5-11, 187*

Specialists

Kicker
Cameron Van Winkle, so., 5-10, 183*

Punter
Korey Durkee, jr., 6-4, 221*

Snapper
Ryan Masel, jr., 6-0, 216
Weston Blackburn, jr., 5-9, 204
Luke Hutchison, so., 6-1, 230

Total returning starters on defense: 7
Estimated total scholarship players on defense/special teams: 31

Estimated total team scholarships: 65

 

[WizardHawk]

Concerns? Just at a quick glance you have the obvious questions at QB and RB, but we pretty much know what we have around the rest of the offense.

On defense I can't wait to see that D line go crazy on Pac offenses, but I'm not sold that Feeney will solidify that LB corp and we have real questions in the secondary. We are going to have a lot of youth and inexperience in that unit.

Of course we have to question kicking and punting considering Van Winkle didn't make it through his first season and Durkee is terrible.

Overall there is a lot of experience and strength for Petersen and his crew to work with, but a few questions as well that could impact the season.

 

[RegentDenali]

Erik Kohler did announce he's retiring from football because of his cronic medical issues.

Yes, the issue of the kicking game is a concern. Hopefully, Van winkle can step it up.

DB is a concern.

I suspect Wasington will become the RB starter by start of the season, but Callier will get some playing time.

But overall, Petersen does inherit a lot of quality to work with. And we have a bit of a cushion with this years recruiting class being smaller and will end up so/so. Give the new coaches a full year, and I'm sure will be looking at something like 25+ class size for 2015 filled with lots of high quality OKGs.

 

[RegentDenali]

UW confirmed today that DE/DT Connor Cree willl be leaving the team and it was his decision. No word if he's retiring or decided to transfer to another program.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[WizardHawk]

Damn, sad news indeed. Abner was a legend of that program and mentored kids going back decades.

Condolences to his family and the entire UW football nation.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

OC Jonathan Smith mentioned today the Huskies offense will be similar to the up-tempo offense that was installed in 2013, but will include elements of the Boise State system as well.

Priorities: "recruiting is huge. We want to put together a solid signing class, so the next three, four weeks are going to be all about that. The second thing is we want to get to know these players, just start relationships with those guys."

Keith Bhonapha said it's going to be a challenge to build the 2014 class.

"Yeah, you really are behind. And the problem with being behind is we knew the numbers that we needed before (at Boise), and now you come in here … and we have to go back and circle the wagons on all these guys we didn’t think we needed before. That’s probably been the big thing.

Chris Petersen was on KJR today. Good updates on how things are progressing with the staff and recruiting:

1-7 Chris Petersen

JUST A LOANER here...DeCarolis WANTS him back now.

 

[RegentDenali]

Wow. Another booted off the team, but some good news for the Dline as well.


Sophomore defensive end Marcus Farria, who had 2.5 sacks as a true freshman last season, was dismissed last week for what coach Chris Petersen says was a “violation of team standards.”

With Farria out, the Huskies have added one defensive lineman: Vita Vea, a 6-foot-5, 330-pounder from Milpitas (Calif.) High School in the Bay Area.

Vea, a former three-star recruit from the Class of 2013, did not sign with an FBS program out of high school, reportedly because of academic eligibility issues.

 

[mcnabb7542]

First Day of practice!

Thank the football gods!

 

[RegentDenali]

Amen!!! Go Dawgs!!!

 

[WizardHawk]

Awesome. Wasn't aware of that.

Not sure when the tickets come in, but that's normally around the time I get all tingly inside.

 

[mcnabb7542]

I'm soooo looking forward to this season, I know there not "his guys" but this guy can turn a bunch of priests into a pretty good football team...