Huskies’ offense in full retreat

By TIM BOOTH | The Associated Press • Published November 18, 2008

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SEATTLE — Tim Lappano wasn’t going to pin this on just one unit.

The mere 135 total yards of offense by Washington last Saturday against UCLA was a complete breakdown involving all aspects of the Huskies’ offense, Lappano said Tuesday.

“We’ve taken a couple of steps backward and I don’t think we’re playing with any confidence right now,” the Huskies’ offensive coordinator said. “We’ve got to be able to execute, go out and not make mistakes and play with confidence. ... We didn’t do that Saturday.”

The 135 yards against UCLA was the second time in four weeks the Huskies failed to crack the 150-yard mark. They had just 124 yards in their 33-7 loss to Notre Dame.

Lappano said there were mistakes made by everybody — linemen, receivers, running backs and quarterback Ronnie Fouch. Washington’s passing game threw for just 39 yards, the lowest total in 24 years. He believes the regression began after the Huskies’ 56-0 loss at USC, but Washington has topped 200 yards of offense just once since losing to Oregon State on Oct. 18.

“That’s going to have to change to win a game,” Lappano said.

If the Huskies can find a healthy running back, they might have some success in Saturday’s Apple Cup against the Washington State Cougars, who rank 118th out of 119 teams in the country in rushing defense, giving up more than 266 yards per game.

Lappano said the Huskies were down to Brandon Johnson last week against UCLA as both Willie Griffin and Terrance Dailey had injuries. Griffin has a toe injury and Dailey a hip pointer.

FOUR OF A KIND: Sixth-year senior Matt Mullennix has a chance to do something no Washington State player has ever done: win four Apple Cups. Mullennix was a member of the 2004, 2005 and 2007 teams that beat archrival Washington. Mullennix, whose sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA was something of a surprise, will also be going through his second consecutive Senior Day recognition ceremony.

“He gives us everything he’s got,” coach Paul Wulff said. “You can’t have too many of those type of guys.”