Washington Huskies: Princeton Fuimaono
Top 5 moments: Shamburger seals win
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
10:34
AM PT
By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Editor's note: Throughout the week, HuskyNation will look back at the top 5 moments of the 2012 season. Here is No. 5:
SEATTLE -- When Washington started its 2012 campaign, one of the biggest question marks was pointed at the defense.
After giving up 777 yards and allowing 67 points during a loss to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl to end the previous season, the Huskies revamped their defensive coaching staff. Coach Steve Sarkisian entrusted Justin Wilcox with the job of pointing the program in the right direction on that side of the ball.
Washington started strong on defense in Week 1 with junior safety Will Shamburger capping a strong performance during a 21-12 win over San Diego State. In fact, after the game, quarterback Keith Price said the defense “won the game for us.”
After posting 14 points in the first quarter, the Huskies’ offense was unable to score over the final three frames. Offensive struggles allowed the Aztecs to hang around.
Then the defense delivered.
San Diego State quarterback Ryan Katz completed a pass to Colin Lockett. After an 8-yard gain, Princeton Fuimaono and Talia Crichton hit Lockett, who fumbled the ball.
Shamburger scooped it up and sprinted 44 yards for a touchdown. It was Washington’s only second-half score and essentially sealed a season-opening win.
But, as much as the turnover and touchdown helped to wrap up a victory, it was also the first step toward proving the Huskies were going to be better on defense in 2012.
“We're not going to be the defense of the past,” linebacker Travis Feeney said after the game. “We're going to step it up this year and make sure our defense is good. We're going to be on top of things, as we were today -- always yelling for the ball, always stripping, and always forcing turnovers. Turnovers win the game. That's what we did and it won us the game.”
SEATTLE -- When Washington started its 2012 campaign, one of the biggest question marks was pointed at the defense.
After giving up 777 yards and allowing 67 points during a loss to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl to end the previous season, the Huskies revamped their defensive coaching staff. Coach Steve Sarkisian entrusted Justin Wilcox with the job of pointing the program in the right direction on that side of the ball.
Washington started strong on defense in Week 1 with junior safety Will Shamburger capping a strong performance during a 21-12 win over San Diego State. In fact, after the game, quarterback Keith Price said the defense “won the game for us.”
After posting 14 points in the first quarter, the Huskies’ offense was unable to score over the final three frames. Offensive struggles allowed the Aztecs to hang around.
Then the defense delivered.
San Diego State quarterback Ryan Katz completed a pass to Colin Lockett. After an 8-yard gain, Princeton Fuimaono and Talia Crichton hit Lockett, who fumbled the ball.
Shamburger scooped it up and sprinted 44 yards for a touchdown. It was Washington’s only second-half score and essentially sealed a season-opening win.
But, as much as the turnover and touchdown helped to wrap up a victory, it was also the first step toward proving the Huskies were going to be better on defense in 2012.
“We're not going to be the defense of the past,” linebacker Travis Feeney said after the game. “We're going to step it up this year and make sure our defense is good. We're going to be on top of things, as we were today -- always yelling for the ball, always stripping, and always forcing turnovers. Turnovers win the game. That's what we did and it won us the game.”
Five storylines: Washington-Colorado 
November, 15, 2012
11/15/12
8:00
AM PT
By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
SEATTLE -- Here are five storylines as Washington prepares to travel to Colorado this weekend:
1. Third-down conversions: To be successful on defense, it helps when a team can get off the field on third down. Against Utah, Washington allowed just one conversion on third down as the Utes went 1-for-13.
While the Huskies were able to stop Utah throughout the game, the Utes struggled to slow down Washington, which converted 7 of 15 third downs.
1. Third-down conversions: To be successful on defense, it helps when a team can get off the field on third down. Against Utah, Washington allowed just one conversion on third down as the Utes went 1-for-13.
While the Huskies were able to stop Utah throughout the game, the Utes struggled to slow down Washington, which converted 7 of 15 third downs.
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SEATTLE -- All of a sudden, Washington’s three-game losing streak is disappearing into the distance.
The Huskies have won back-to-back games for the second time in 2012. With a 21-13 win at Cal, the program picked up its first road victory of the season with three winnable games remaining on the schedule.
It wasn’t pretty, but Washington survived four turnovers by capitalizing on several Cal miscues. The Huskies needed big games from sophomore standouts in order to return from Northern California one win away from becoming bowl eligible.
The Huskies have won back-to-back games for the second time in 2012. With a 21-13 win at Cal, the program picked up its first road victory of the season with three winnable games remaining on the schedule.
It wasn’t pretty, but Washington survived four turnovers by capitalizing on several Cal miscues. The Huskies needed big games from sophomore standouts in order to return from Northern California one win away from becoming bowl eligible.
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A look at Washington's fifth practice
August, 10, 2012
8/10/12
7:30
PM PT
By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
SEATTLE -- Here is a quick-hitting look at Washington’s fifth day of fall camp.
Young linebackers get opportunity
With injuries mounting over the first week of fall camp at the linebacker position, young players are getting an opportunity to show what they can do.
Washington coach Steve Sarkisian mentioned Jamaal Kearse, Scott Lawyer, Cory Littleton and Evan Zeger as players who saw more snaps Friday.
“I think they embrace it,” Sarkisian said. “We talked about it last night as a team that, as one guys goes down, the reason we recruited those guys is to come here and play. I think they’re working at it. Just like a lot of young guys, you make some plays and you have some plays you’d like to have back.”
Injury report
After leaving practice on a cart Thursday, his foot wrapped in ice, linebacker Nate Fellner learned later he had broken the fifth metatarsal in his foot.
Sarkisian said there is no ligament damage, but the senior is expected to miss about four weeks.
Receiver James Johnson is day-to-day with a sprained foot and linebacker Princeton Fuimaono is dealing with a hamstring injury the Huskies are going to “monitor very closely.”
“We don’t want that thing to linger all year long,” Sarkisian said said. “We’re going to get him healthy.”
Young receivers making an impression
Freshmen receivers Jaydon Mickens (Los Angeles, Calif./Dorsey) and Kendyl Taylor (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) have taken turns making plays all week.
Like all freshmen, there have been struggles, but Sarkisian singled them out as players who have performed well so far.
“They’ve been impressive,” he said.
Freshmen link up for touchdown
Jeff Lindquist (Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island) rolled to his right and fired a 40-yard pass toward the end zone. The ball was underthrown, but receiver Marvin Hall (Los Angeles, Calif./Dorsey) made a nice adjustment.
He fought through a defensive back and hauled in the touchdown pass.
Linebacker gives up the game
Junior Garret Gilliland has decided to retire from football, Sarkisian announced.
Because it was the linebacker’s decision to leave the program, he will not retain his scholarship.
“If he retires, he retires,” Sarkisian said. “That’s his choice. We want him to play football and he doesn’t want to. It’s unfortunate.”
Quotable
When asked about the energy building throughout practice, Sarkisian said, “Our guys understand the competition as it builds and they look forward to the competition. That’s what makes our guys special to me, because they embrace those opportunities to battle and compete with one another, but do it with respect. They did that today.”
-- Offensive line coach Dan Cozzetto missed Friday’s practice. Sarkisian described it as a “personal issue.”
Young linebackers get opportunity
With injuries mounting over the first week of fall camp at the linebacker position, young players are getting an opportunity to show what they can do.
Washington coach Steve Sarkisian mentioned Jamaal Kearse, Scott Lawyer, Cory Littleton and Evan Zeger as players who saw more snaps Friday.
“I think they embrace it,” Sarkisian said. “We talked about it last night as a team that, as one guys goes down, the reason we recruited those guys is to come here and play. I think they’re working at it. Just like a lot of young guys, you make some plays and you have some plays you’d like to have back.”
Injury report
After leaving practice on a cart Thursday, his foot wrapped in ice, linebacker Nate Fellner learned later he had broken the fifth metatarsal in his foot.
Sarkisian said there is no ligament damage, but the senior is expected to miss about four weeks.
Receiver James Johnson is day-to-day with a sprained foot and linebacker Princeton Fuimaono is dealing with a hamstring injury the Huskies are going to “monitor very closely.”
“We don’t want that thing to linger all year long,” Sarkisian said said. “We’re going to get him healthy.”
Young receivers making an impression
Freshmen receivers Jaydon Mickens (Los Angeles, Calif./Dorsey) and Kendyl Taylor (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) have taken turns making plays all week.
Like all freshmen, there have been struggles, but Sarkisian singled them out as players who have performed well so far.
“They’ve been impressive,” he said.
Freshmen link up for touchdown
Jeff Lindquist (Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island) rolled to his right and fired a 40-yard pass toward the end zone. The ball was underthrown, but receiver Marvin Hall (Los Angeles, Calif./Dorsey) made a nice adjustment.
He fought through a defensive back and hauled in the touchdown pass.
Linebacker gives up the game
Junior Garret Gilliland has decided to retire from football, Sarkisian announced.
Because it was the linebacker’s decision to leave the program, he will not retain his scholarship.
“If he retires, he retires,” Sarkisian said. “That’s his choice. We want him to play football and he doesn’t want to. It’s unfortunate.”
Quotable
When asked about the energy building throughout practice, Sarkisian said, “Our guys understand the competition as it builds and they look forward to the competition. That’s what makes our guys special to me, because they embrace those opportunities to battle and compete with one another, but do it with respect. They did that today.”
-- Offensive line coach Dan Cozzetto missed Friday’s practice. Sarkisian described it as a “personal issue.”