The Washington defense is among just five teams nationally who have yet to give up a touchdown through two games played. Its 12 points allowed this season have all come in the form of opponent field goals. Only five teams have allowed fewer points in two games this season. Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick has his group playing at a high level already, and there’s one area on the defense where Washington has been extremely efficient. That area has been third down efficiency. Jedd Fisch talked about it during his weekly Monday, September 9, press conference.
Third Down Defensive Efficiency
Through two games this season, the Washington defense has forced 31 third downs. Weber State and Eastern Michigan combined for just seven conversions. That’s a 22% conversion rate, and it’s tied for second-best in the Big Ten Conference among teams who have played two games. Of those 31 third-down attempts, the average distance to go has been nine yards. Fisch gave perspective to this by saying that the best way to be good offensively on third down is to get into third and four yards or less. Thus far, Washington has kept its opponents out of that range by a wide margin consistently.
“Our defense has created the tackles for loss, and that’s been the biggest difference,” Fisch said on Monday. Washington forced nine tackles for loss against Eastern Michigan. In week one, the Huskies tallied six tackles for loss. Their 15 total ranks fourth in the Big Ten Conference.
The push on the interior defensive line has been a big piece of this. “To be able to push the pocket, it’s part of the Belichick defense,” Fisch said. Squeezing the pocket down is critical because it allows you not to have to bring extra rush defenders to create pressure. That frees up players in coverage, taking away passing opportunities. Washington has had 23 quarterback pressures this season according to Pro Football Focus. While its coverage defense has allowed just under four yards per attempt.
Early Down Success
“The most important thing to be good on third down on defense is to be really good on first and second down.” Fisch pointed to the key being “seven plus.” Meaning, that you want to get your opponent in situations of third and seven yards or more. With Washington forcing an average of nine yards to gain on third down, that early down success has been clicking for the Huskies.
“Our defense has done a fantastic job of winning the early downs [and] of creating a negative play,” Fisch said. On Saturday against Eastern Michigan, Washington was on the field for 68 snaps, and 30 of those plays resulted in one yard or less for the Eagles’ offense.
“When you have that type of production with your defense, then it’s really hard on third down to convert the third and nines, tens, elevens, and twelves.” That’s exactly what Wahsington’s defense has done in the first two games. Weber State and Eastern Michigan were a combined 0-13 on third and nine or more. It’s going to be a different challenge on Saturday in the Apple Cup. Washington State has averaged 10.3 yards per first down attempt offensively through two games. But so far, Washington is showing it knows how to create third-down pressure on the opposition.
