Washington Huskies

SEATTLE -- It was something Kevin Smith had done 100 times before.

The receiver was going through Washington’s first practice in San Antonio as the Huskies prepared for last year’s Alamo Bowl when, all of a sudden, his knee gave way.

“That one time it just happened,” Smith said.

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SEATTLE -- While Justin Wilcox would like another month to prepare his defense before Washington takes the field for its season opener, the Huskies’ defensive coordinator doesn’t have that luxury.

After spring practice and three weeks of fall camp to install his defense, Washington is down to a final few practices before Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. PT season opener against San Diego State at CenturyLink Field.

After a little fine-tuning this week it will be time for the Huskies to “put our cards out there on the table,” as Wilcox put it.

“I think they’re excited for it," he said. "I know we are, too. We just need a couple more days of good work to make sure we can get as ready as we can possibly be.”

With a new system, injuries and players switching positions, it has taken time to develop the defense, but Washington’s players are ready to line up against some fresh faces.

“I think it’s definitely time,” Wilcox said. “They’re tired of beating up on each other. It’s time for them to go play somebody else. It’s important for us to make sure we’re getting the screws tightened this week and getting our alignments, all the things we’ve worked on all fall and now gearing toward another opponent.”

Tight end ready to make plays

Michael Hartvigson still remembers staying up late every night during his freshman season, memorizing the playbook.

The 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end would sit down with receiver Kevin Smith, and they would quiz each other on routes and formations.

It took time, but now a redshirt sophomore, Hartvigson has settled into the system.

“Now I would say I have most of the playbook almost in the back of my head,” Hartvigson said. “From my freshman year until now, I would say I’ve definitely come a long way.”

While sophomore Austin Seferian-Jenkins receives the bulk of the headlines, Hartvigson will see plenty of playing time this season. He isn’t worried about attention or accolades. He simply wants to find ways to contribute.

“Whether it’s in the run game, in the pass game, whether it’s blocking, receiving, I’m just going to do whatever coach Sark (Steve Sarkisian) wants me to do, whatever’s best for the team,” he said.

Walk-on cornerback earns starting spot

In a perfect world, Washington’s cornerbacks would all be 6-1 -- and fast.

With that in mind, how did 5-9, 183-pound walk-on Tre Watson earn a starting job opposite senior Desmond Trufant?

“Tre makes up for it by playing a little bigger than he is, his instincts, finishing -- he never gives up on plays,” Wilcox said. “He’s earned it.”

Watson edged Greg Ducre and Marcus Peters in a three-player, fall-camp battle for the starting spot.

“All three of those guys will play,” Wilcox said. “Tre was a little more consistent throughout fall camp. The work he did in spring, we thought really started it and then he validated it this fall camp.”

Note:

• Washington receiver DiAndre Campbell was in a yellow, non-contact jersey during Tuesday’s practice.

SEATTLE -- Here is a quick-hitting look at Washington's 13th day of fall camp:

Best practice of fall camp

After a Saturday scrimmage Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said “lacked a little bit of energy” the Huskies returned to the field Monday and put together one of their best performances of fall camp.

“I thought this was, arguably, our best practice of training camp up to this point,” Sarkisian said. “Our guys really responded to the challenge. It was great.”

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SEATTLE -- Here is a quick-hitting look at Washington's 11th day of fall camp:

Johnson, Kearse have surgery

Receiver James Johnson had surgery on the dislocated wrist he suffered in Wednesday's practice. In addition to the dislocation, doctors found torn ligaments. The senior is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Linebacker Jamaal Kearse, who has a stress fracture in his tibia, also had surgery Friday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

"Anytime you're dealing with bones, it is what it is," Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said.

WR Smith works his way back

Sarkisian could sense the excitement when receiver Kevin Smith got the opportunity to participate in team drills.

"Kevin is such a great spirit," Sarkisian said. "He's got such a great energy. He loves being out here. When we gave him the opportunity to get in there on some team stuff he was just excited to be out there."

The junior continues to work his way back from the ACL injury he suffered right before the Alamo Bowl last season and his progress is a positive sign with Johnson expected to miss more than a month.

But, moving forward, the Huskies will continue to be cautious.

"He's definitely on a one-a-day schedule," Sarkisian said. "He will never go on a two-a-day. We've been very encouraged by his progress to this point."

Thompson back to full strength

Freshman safety Shaq Thompson shed the yellow non-contact jersey and was back to full strength. He also made another promising play, making a one-handed interception on a tipped pass.

• The Huskies will scrimmage Saturday.
• Sarkisian said he expects senior safety Justin Glenn, who has been recovering from a mild concussion, to be back Monday.
• Sarkisian said one of the surprises through fall camp so far has been the play of safety Will Shamburger.
• Washington offensive line commit Andrew Kirkland (Portland, Ore./Jesuit) attended Friday's practice.

SEATTLE -- Washington wrapped up its seventh day of fall camp Monday and, once again, a lot of attention was paid to injuries.

The Huskies did get some good news with offensive lineman Colin Tanigawa seeing extensive time at left guard. The redshirt sophomore continues to work his way back after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Oregon State game last season.

Linebacker Jamaal Kearse missed practice with a thigh bruise, while safeties Shaq Thompson and Justin Glenn were both out with mild concussions. After suffering a sprained knee Saturday, linebacker Thomas Tutogi is recovering faster than originally expected.

Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said receiver Kevin Smith, who is recovering from an ACL injury, saw significant action during the team’s morning practice, but he didn’t practice in the later session.

Notes:

• Defensive end Pio Vatuvei spent some time at fullback, and Sarkisian said the freshman will see time at the position specific offensive packages.

• Redshirt freshman Travis Feeney has moved from safety to linebacker. With the rash of injuries at the linebacker position, Feeney provides depth. If there is one position where the program has an abundance of athletes, it’s at safety, making for an easy move.

• Kicker Travis Coons made his first five field goals during Washington’s evening practice, making two from 38 yards out and one each from 35, 38 and 47. He missed back-to-back attempts from 59 yards out.