Washington Huskies

WASHINGTON HUSKIES

2012 record: 7-6
2012 conference record: 5-4 (Fourth in North Division)
Returning starters: Offense 10; Defense 8; Kicker/punter: 2

Top returners: QB Keith Price, RB Bishop Sankey, WR Kasen Williams, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, DB Sean Parker, LB John Timu, DE Josh Shirley, LB Shaq Thompson.
Key losses: CB Desmond Trufant, DB Justin Glenn, C Drew Schaefer, FB Jonathan Amosa.

2012 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Bishop Sankey* (1,439)
Passing: Keith Price* (2,726)
Receiving: Kasen Williams* (878)
Tackles: John Timu* (91)
Sacks: Josh Shirley*; Andrew Hudson* (6.5)
Interceptions: Justin Glenn, Shaq Thompson*, Marcus Peters* (3)

Spring answers

1. 2013 Schedule

   Aug. 31 Boise State
   Sept. 14 at Illinois
   Sept. 21 Idaho State
   Sept. 28 Arizona
   Oct. 5 at Stanford
   Oct. 12 Oregon
   Oct. 19 at Arizona State
   Oct. 26 California
   Nov. 9 Colorado
   Nov. 15 at UCLA
   Nov. 23 at Oregon State
   Nov. 29 Washington State

   Picking up the pace: We know the Huskies spent the spring installing a new up-tempo offense. How much of it was installed and how comfortable the players are running it remains to be seen. But Steve Sarkisian has made a point that his team needs to 1) do a better job keeping up with the up-tempo offenses in the league and 2) do a better job keeping teams on their heels. This philosophical switch seems to address both since the defense has been practicing against an up-tempo offense.
2. Starting five: Many believe this is the best team Sarkisian has had since coming to Washington. And part of that might be that he finally has a healthy offensive line with quality depth behind the starters. The group of Micah Hatchie (LT), Dexter Charles (LG), Mike Criste (C), James Atoe (RG) and Ben Riva (RT) worked as the first-team starting five all spring. And former starters Erik Kohler and Colin Tanigawa, along with experienced backup Shane Brostek, give the Huskies quantity and quality up front.
3. Progress of Price: The breakout player of 2011 and embattled starter of 2012, Keith Price, quickly shook off whispers of a quarterback competition with a strong spring that left Sarkisian feeling good about his third-year starter. He distanced himself from would-be challengers and, if he can return to that 2011 form, could have Washington in the top 25.

Fall questions

1. After Price: It looks like Cyler Miles has established himself as No. 2 in the quarterback hierarchy, but the battle to be Price's understudy will continue into the fall with Derrick Brown and Jeff Lindquist still in the mix. The Huskies were one of only four teams in the conference last year to have the same quarterback start every game. So Price has proven his durability. But having a clear pecking order behind the starter can be equally important.
2. Replacing Trufant: No easy task to replace Desmond Trufant, a staple in the Washington defensive backfield who at one point started 45 straight games. Marcus Peters is all but locked in on one side, leaving Greg Ducre and Travell Dixon battling it out on the other side. Tre Watson will also be in the mix.
3. ASJ MIA: How long will Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the Pac-12's top tight end, be out? Will he miss any games? He's been suspended indefinitely stemming from his DUI arrest and many are wondering if he'll miss at least the season opener against Boise State. Sarkisian pointed to the silver lining of the situation -- noting that his absence has allowed others at the position to get extensive work this spring. He also said Seferian-Jenkins is taking all of the proper steps to rejoin the team. There is little doubt he'll be the most dominant tight end in the league in 2013, and probably the country. The timetable for his return will be of great interest in the coming months.

SEATTLE -- When Steve Sarkisian met with the media Monday, Washington’s coach talked about a team that is “poised for a great run” in 2013.

That journey begins Tuesday when the Huskies take the field for their first spring practice.

“We’re champing at the bit to get on the field and get going,” Sarkisian said.

Sarkisian believes the pieces are in place for the program to compete for a Pac-12 title. To do that, Washington needs to find success and build confidence this spring.

Here are five storylines to follow as the Huskies set out to reach the lofty expectations that have been set in front of the program:

1: Can Keith Price regain the form he showed as a sophomore?

Heading into the spring, Price is Washington’s quarterback. Sarkisian made that clear when asked about the senior quarterback.

However, Sarkisian also made it clear that the Huskies’ passing attack needs to take a step forward, and Price needs to regain the confidence he had as a sophomore.

“The goal is to get Keith Price back to playing the way he was two years ago,” Sarkisian said.

With the way Price, and the team, struggled at times last season, both the quarterback and coaching staff tried to manufacture the energy Price produced so naturally as a sophomore.

It didn’t work.

“It’s developed through confidence, through belief to where it exudes out of him and it’s not trying to be created superficially,” Sarkisian said.

Through Price’s offseason training, Sarkisian believes the quarterback will regain his swagger in time for theseason. But the other quarterbacks in the program -- Cyler Miles, Jeff Lindquist, Troy Williams and Derrick Brown -- will get their opportunities.

“We’re not going to be stubborn enough to think, if another guy is playing better that guy won’t get that opportunity to beat him out,” Sarkisian said. “[Price] understands the focus of this spring and what he needs to do for himself so that he can perform to the highest level of his capabilities.”

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SEATTLE -- When Ben Riva steps onto a football field, the offensive tackle looks the part of a Pac-12 lineman.

“That’s what they’re supposed to look like,” Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said.

The 6-foot-6, 302-pound sophomore with long, dark hair and mean streak to match spent two years building his body, and confidence, to prepare himself for the 2012 season.

“This is actually one of the first fall camps where I’ve been having a lot of fun,” Riva said. “I came out and have been determined to lock down a position. That’s what I’m trying to do. I’ve just got to come out here every day and prove it.”

Riva has been working as the Huskies' starting right tackle throughout fall camp. While he has earned a spot with the first team, he takes the field every day looking to prove he belongs.

“The thing is, with coach [Dan] Cozzetto, you never lock anything down and you’ve got to come out here every day and prove it,” Riva said. “That’s the kind of guy he is and that’s why I came here. That’s how Sark is. You’ve got to bring it every day.”

When Riva signed with the Huskies in 2010, he was an all-state lineman who spent his high school career at Seattle O’Dea opening holes for Irish running backs.

When it came to pass protection, though, he admitted recently, “I didn’t really know what I was doing."

“By the time we got him, he was still growing,” Sarkisian said. “He was still a bit awkward to his body and so much of pass protection is technique and having great lower strength so you can sit down and anchor and then you have to move your feet really well.”

Riva was blessed with size, but it took time for him to fill out his frame, time for the coaches to teach him the technique that now feels natural in his third season.

“I’m not questioning what I’m doing,” Riva said. “I just react now.”

As tough as he is talented, Riva has a physical style coaches covet. They key, though, is harnessing his aggression so he can match up with the movement modern defenses throw at offensive linemen.

“You have to be under control so that you can see the movement, collect the movement and then block the movement,” Sarkisian said.

Working against defensive ends like Talia Crichton and Josh Shirley, Riva has been able to block players with separate styles -- Crichton is a power rusher, while Shirley uses his speed.

The change of pace from play-to-play has helped Riva’s development.

“It’s tremendous,” Riva said. “I can’t thank them enough, especially with Josh. We hate each other out here, but our lockers are next to each other, we’re actually friends. I need them.”

With as many as eight players penciled into the offensive line’s regular rotation, camaraderie and chemistry is essential. Riva said this group is as close as any he has been around during his college career.

“I feel like we’re really close,” he said. “We do a lot together. I love those guys.”

While Riva has matured both physically and mentally, it is his confidence that has allowed him to secure his spot.

“Confidence is everything in life,” he said. “When I make a call, I know it’s right.”

When Riva steps on the field, he might look the part. But, against San Diego State Saturday at CenturyLink Field, he plans to prove he can play the part, too.

“I’m pumped,” he said. “I can’t even really explain it. I’ve watched the Huskies growing up and it means a lot to me.”

SEATTLE -- It has taken the better part of four years, but Washington coach Steve Sarkisian feels like his program finally has flexibility on the offensive line.

With offensive lineman Erik Kohler working his way back into the lineup after suffering a knee injury on the first day of fall camp, Sarkisian has the interchangeable parts he has been looking for since he became the Huskies’ head coach.

“This is where you’re supposed to be and it just took us a little while to get here,” Sarkisian said.

After returning to practice Monday, Kohler went through both practices Tuesday, spending some time at center.

While Kohler recovered from the injury, Micah Hatchie and Ben Riva worked as the starting tackles, while Colin Tanigawa and James Atoe were the guards. Drew Schaefer is the starting center.

Kohler, who was recruited to Washington as a tackle and has spent time at guard, can play any spot along the line, giving the Huskies options. Sarkisian said he would have up to an eight-man rotation on the offensive line early in the season.

“I feel like our offensive line has had a nice training camp up to this point and, now with more healthy bodies, the expectations should only become greater,” Sarkisian said. “I think we’ll perform even greater with the lack of fatigue.”

With redshirt freshman Dexter Charles also having a strong camp, the Huskies the kind of depth that allows them to look at redshirting more freshmen.

Injury report

The Huskies continue to get good news with linebacker Travis Feeney returning to practice Tuesday, although he is still limited to the non-contact yellow jersey.

Linebacker Thomas Tutogi is also back practicing, adding more depth to a position that had been hit hard by injuries.

“It feels like another day we’re getting another guy back,” Sarkisian said. “As bad as it was early in camp, we’re doing pretty good right now.”

• Sarkisian said defensive end Hau’oli Jamora and running back Deontae Cooper should both undergo surgery on their knee injuries this week.

• Washington will play Montana at Husky Stadium in 2017, the university confirmed Tuesday.

SEATTLE – As soon as Washington’s freshmen arrived on campus, Drew Schaefer organized tutoring sessions for the linemen.

The 6-foot-4, 294-pound senior center gathered the group two or three times each week for an hour or two. They broke down the playbook. They talked about technique. They discussed scenarios that would give the young players a head start at the beginning of fall camp.

“We went through the whole playbook,” Schaefer said. “That’s why some of those freshmen have a good understanding of the playbook this first week, because all summer we’ve already been working on it.”

The only senior on the Huskies’ offensive line, Schaefer has embraced his role at the line’s leader. But, as important as those sessions were for the young players, Schaefer said the time spent teaching the playbook also helped his understanding of the offense.

“You always learn, especially from teaching it, compared to just sitting there and listening to it from coach [Dan] Cozzetto,” Schaefer said. “It’s a different perspective and you kind of pick up on stuff.”

With junior Erik Kohler working his way back from a knee injury on the first day of camp, Schaefer is the only upperclassmen working with Washington’s starting offensive line.

Redshirt sophomores Micah Hatchie (left tackle), Colin Tanigawa (left guard) -- he is working his way back slowly as he also recovers from a knee injury ­-- James Atoe (right guard) and Ben Riva (right tackle) make up the rest of the first-string line with redshirt freshman Dexter Charles also seeing time with the first unit.

So far, Schaefer likes what he is seeing out of the group.

“From the point where we ended spring to this first week of camp, I think we’ve made a lot of strides,” Schaefer said. “There is obviously stuff we can still work on, but as far as our communication and in terms of playing together, I think I’m really happy with where we’re at.”

Freshman Shane Brostek, who has a cast on his right hand, has also drawn praise from both Schaefer and Washington coach Steve Sarkisian. Schaefer also made a point to praise tackles Hatchie and Riva.

“They’re doing a lot better job with their sets,” Schaefer said. “They’re giving [quarterback] Keith [Price] a lot more time in the pocket.”

Washington's line is young. But Schaefer sees progress.

“Through Week 1 I’m really proud of where we’re at,” he said.