Jordan Shaw and the Washington secondary play an aggressive brand of football with great anticipation. That aggression led in the positive direction in games against Weber State, Eastern Michigan, and Northwestern. It was in the opposite direction with numerous penalties in games like the Apple Cup. Aggressive play is a big part of the secondary, and it will continue to define how the defense plays as conference play gets rolling.
With zero touchdowns allowed in its three wins this season, Washington ranks 11th nationally in scoring defense. It allowed 24 points in its Apple Cup loss to Washington State. But has kept its three other opponents out of the end zone and to single digits in the score column. This kind of production is a team effort, but the play we’ve seen from the defensive backs has been what drives this team.
Washington State Blunder
Critical penalties were a huge factor in Washington’s loss at Lumen Field in the Apple Cup. The Husky defense committed 10 penalties for an even 100 yards in the game. But specifically, the defensive backs were flagged for three holding penalties and one pass interference. The four total penalties from the defensive backs cost the Huskies 50 yards of field position. Three of those defensive back penalties kept drives alive for Washington State where they ended up finding the end zone.
The Washington defensive backs had just two penalties in the team’s win over Northwestern. Against Eastern Michigan, there was just one called penalty on the defensive backs. And in the team’s opener, the Husky secondary was only called for only one penalty. Through four games, it’s clear how important penalties in the secondary are with regard to the opposition’s scoring opportunity. The only touchdowns Washington has allowed all year were aided by penalties on the secondary. All three were in the Apple Cup.
Growing Pains in the Secondary
“We’re not playing with the oldest team in college football, we’re playing with one of the younger ones.” Fisch said this with regard to some of the early season penalties in the defensive backfield during his Monday press conference. “There’s going to be some mistakes that are growing pains that we’re working through.”
On Monday after the Apple Cup, Fisch recounted every individual penalty called against his team. He addressed each one of the defensive back penalties, articulating why each one was called correctly. Shaw’s penalty was one of the most untimely of the afternoon. Fisch called it, “Very disappointing.” Washington had the Cougars in third and 18 and recorded a sack on the play to get them off the field. Instead, Washington State had new life and three plays later, found the end zone. “Disappointed, but they called them right,” Fisch concluded.
Jordan Shaw’s Penalties
In the position Steve Belichick calls “STAR,” Shaw operates as a hybrid cornerback that plays in coverage against the slot, lines up closer to the formation, and gets involved in pass rush. He’s been the team’s starter at this position all year. Shaw had that critical holding penalty against Washington State and has been called for pass interference this year as well.
“He’s making some decisions… a DPI this past week, a defensive holding the week before,” Fisch said of Shaw. “Those mistakes are going to come.” Washington has one of the youngest football teams in the Big Ten. Shaw is a redshirt freshman himself, and the youngest full-time player in the Husky secondary. Fisch recognizes the growing pains that come with that and remains optimistic about the future of his young defensive back.
High-Ceiling Flashes
Thus far in the young season, Shaw has played the STAR position with great production. He has tallied 10 tackles this year with two tackles for loss and three pass breakups. Against Northwestern, Shaw made one particular play that encompasses his persona as a defender. Northwestern dialed up a bubble screen to a wide receiver. Shaw was in coverage, and before the quarterback released the ball Shaw had begun crashing down on the receiver. In a full sprint, Shaw contacted the receiver the moment he caught the pass, tackling him for a loss of one yard. Shaw hopped up and enthusiastically celebrated his big hit.
You could call this a “Jordan Shaw Play,” because that’s exactly the kind of player Shaw is in this secondary. His aggressive nature and natural instincts are things we noticed all offseason through the Spring and Fall. That single play embodied both. He has a twitch that makes him a very effective nickelback for Belichick’s defense. Shaw has the quickness to defend receivers, and the physicality to make tackles close to the formation. He ties that together with an aggressive level of play that allows him to create tackles for loss, pass breakups, and soon enough, interceptions.
He’s only a second-year player, having played in four games at Indiana a year ago. With his aggressive nature, he has found himself on the wrong end of a couple penalty flags this season. But Fisch raves about his young defensive back. “I think over these next three years we’re going to see a really, really, really good DB.” With Shaw in the room among other high-energy players like Thaddeus Dixon, Ephesians Prysock, and Elijah Jackson, the Husky cornerbacks have a high ceiling this season.
