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They were beaten 34-14 at Stanford Stadium in 2009 and 41-0 last season – the first time a Washington team was shut out at Husky Stadium since 1976.
But it wasn’t the score that left a scar on Washington’s psyche last year – it was Stanford’s physical, brutal pounding on both sides of the football.
“I just remember they ‘out-physicaled’ us,” senior linebacker Cort Dennison said. “They brought it to us. It was embarrassing.”
Although the quarterback matchup between Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Washington’s Keith Price is getting most of the attention, the winner of this game will likely be the more physical team at the line of scrimmage and point of contact. Both teams have found success making it a point of emphasis.
Gone are the days of finesse football that started with Bill Walsh’s second coaching stint and carried through Tyrone Willingham, Buddy Teevens and Walt Harris. Even when they tried to become more physical, it never held.
But Jim Harbaugh brought in a new mindset when he was hired in 2007. He insisted the Cardinal was going to play hard-nosed, NFL-style football. It was the type of football Harbaugh learned under Bo Schembechler as a quarterback at the University of Michigan.
If you couldn’t play that style, you didn’t play.
After Harbaugh left, Stanford coach David Shaw continued that philosophy.
“It’s really pretty simple,” Shaw said. “You have really, really physical practices and the cream rises to the top. The guys who are physical and tough by nature, they stand out. And the guys that aren’t, they start to wilt.”
Call it natural selection. Stanford stunned teams with its toughness.
Washington has also become increasingly more physical since Sarkisian took over.
Players like Dennison, running back Chris Polk, guard Colin Porter, tackle Senio Kelemete and safety Sean Parker have all stepped forward as players who embrace that style of play.
But have the Huskies reached Stanford’s level of physicality?
Even Sarkisian isn’t sure.
“They’ve (Stanford) done a nice job of that, and they’ve dedicated themselves to being a physical football team. I think we have as well. We’ll find out how far away we are on Saturday.”
While he wouldn’t make any predictions, Dennison believes his teammates have the right mindset going into the game.
“This is what football is all about – being physical,” he said. “Are you going to be the bully, or are you going to get bullied around? So that’s where self-pride comes in, that’s where you’ve got to step up and rise to the occasion and hit them in the mouth before they hit you.”
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483 ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/uwsports
HUSKIES GAMEDAY
WASHINGTON (5-1, 3-0 PACIFIC-12 CONFERENCE) AT STANFORD (6-0, 4-0)
5 p.m., Stanford Stadium, Stanford, Calif.
TV: Ch. 4. Radio: 950-AM.
THE Series: Washington leads the series dating back to 1893, 40-37-4. Since 1977, Stanford is just 7-21 against the Huskies. However, Stanford has won five of the last six meetings, including the last three years.
What to watch: The matchups are interesting. Stanford’s offense is one of the best in the Pac-12, averaging 45.8 points and 485.7 yards per game. It’s highly efficient and extremely physical. Washington, ranked last in the conference in passing defense, isn’t going to shut down quarterback Andrew Luck. He’s simply too good. But they can unsettle him with constant pressure and by keeping him inside the pocket. Stanford wants to establish the run early with Stepfan Taylor and use its physical offensive line, led by guard David DeCastro, to set up play-action for Luck and his trio of hulking tight ends. Like Stanford, Washington’s offense has been extremely efficient this season, led by quarterback Keith Price and running back Chris Polk. The duo has given Washington offensive balance. Price has thrown for 21 touchdowns and is completing 68 percent of passes. Polk has rushed for more than 100 yards in all but one game this season. But the Huskies have yet to face a defense quite like Stanford’s. Even with the loss of linebacker Shayne Skov, the Cardinal is allowing just 11.2 points per game, 59.5 yards rushing per game and 294.8 yards of total offense. Still, Washington has enough weapons and versatility to score with the Cardinal. This game has all the makings of an offensive shootout.
What’s at stake: Stanford has legitimate BCS bowl aspirations and can still dream of a national title. To do so, the No. 7 Cardinal can’t lose a game. The Huskies represent their first legitimate test. A win over Stanford would give the Huskies a 6-1 record, placing them atop the Pac-12 North standings with Oregon. And it would make an appearance in the Pac-12 title game a real possibility. It would likely be the biggest win of Steve Sarkisian’s three-year tenure at Washington.
THE pick: Stanford 48, Washington 42.
PRIME NUMBERS
STANFORD
No.Name (position)Ht./Wt.Year
12Andrew Luck (QB)6-4/235Senior
This is a game where he can truly make an impact in the Heisman race, and the UW defense can only help.
17Griff Whalen (WR)6-1/185Senior
Stanford’s tight ends are drawing a lot of attention, so Whalen and Chris Owusu should have some chances.
44Chase Thomas (OLB)6-4/239Senior
A pass-rushing menace who is disruptive against the run as well.
53David DeCastro (OG)6-5/310Junior
Mean, nasty, athletic and physical, the Bellevue grad has become the best offensive guard in the country.
98Matthew Masifilo (DT)6-3/280Senior
He helps anchor a front seven that just does not allow opponents yards or production between the tackles.
WASHINGTON
1Chris Polk (RB)5-11/222Junior
The bruising runner will need to give the Huskies a presence on the ground to provide balance.
17Keith Price (QB)6-1/195Sophomore
This will be the biggest test of his young career.
20Justin Glenn (FS)5-11/206Junior
He will need to be aware of his keys and provide coverage help on Stanford’s trio of massive tight ends.
56Senio Kelemete (OT)6-4/301Senior
The big left tackle will have the responsibility of keeping pass-rush threat Chase Thomas off his quarterback.
74Alameda Ta’amu (DT)6-3/337Senior
He had to go up against Colorado’s massive guard Ryan Miller last week; now he gets sure first-round pick David DeCastro.
Ryan Divish, staff writer
