Dawgman Radio: A Washington Huskies athletics podcast

Washington Defensive Coordinator Bob Gregory, linebacker Carson Bruener, and defensive back Kyler Gordon talk to the media ahead of UW's Saturday game versus Oregon at Husky Stadium.

On the Oregon game being "different" from other games...I remember coming here in 2014 and hearing people talk about it and what the rivalry means and got to the stadium, you couldn't imagine how violent and intense the rivalry was, but as we were getting ready for that game, warming up, you could just tell the difference. As much as people make it about hate and stuff like that, it's just great being part of a rivalry like this. It's what college football is all about. I compare it to the Iron Bowl or the Big Game. It's fun to be part of it.

On the running backs' building success...Just kept working with the guys. We've recruited so we'd have at least a couple of guys who can play and Cameron Davis has done a good job of staying ready and making plays when he's had a chance. Sean McGrew has been here for a while and he got a win for the first time since 2007 against Stanford down there. It was excited for Husky fans and for us to watch the players go out and have success.

On adjusting to Oregon's defense to find success running the ball...Oregon is a really good team and they do a great job. They have done a great job against us. It comes down to guys doing their job and doing it correctly and in big games like this, you can have guys try to do more than they need to and that can lead to problems, so it's about keeping them ready and making sure they aren't trying to do too much and just doing their job.

On Cameron Davis' success...With him getting consistent reps at practice and showing really well, he showed consistency in his pass protection, his football, knowing his assignment, just worrying about the play he's in and not anything that happened before. I have to figure out how to twist that knob, but not twist it too much so it doesn't fall off.

On keeping players focused even when they are struggling... I try to coach these guys to have confidence. One fumble doesn't define your whole career, so I need to help him keep his confidence and realize that as he's more consistent he's going to get chances to play and have success.

On Richard Newton's spirits...Just like any other guy that I've coached, injuries are part of this game. He's worked so hard to get his body and mind right to have a great 2021 and then to get injured can be tough, but with him, he just needs to be consistent in his PT, consistent in the work he puts in because I don't want him focusing on nine months from now. He's got a great mindset and he'll be fine.

On the Oregon game and rivalry...It's always a great game and I'm excited to go against them again.

On what makes oregon so good...They don't really have any weaknesses. We have to play our best game to get the win.

On the coaches stressing this rivalry...Coach Jimmy Lake and the coaches have done a good job of helping the players understand how important this game is. We'll be ready.

On their successes last week against Stanford...We just really clicked, the guys were dialed in and we did well. Can't really tell you what was different, but we played our best game.

On this being a big cross-state rivarly...It really is our true rival. There's always a lot to play for and it's always a big game.

On experiencing Oregon back in 2019 and the rivalry...Was only on the sideline for that game, but being a Husky fan growing up, I know how important this is and you can tell in practice, the intensity is ramped up and you can feel guys are ready.

On what clicks for him late in games...I just try to be resilient. Whether we're up or down, things are going our way, you have to keep your head in it. The coaches equate it to a heavyweight match, you might lose some rounds, but it's a long fight and you will have your time to win.

On Oregon's defense and forcing turnovers...They have really good athletes, they have a great pass-rusher, they are fast up front and they can make you throw before you're ready to throw. They do a good job.

On getting all of the wide receivers healthy...It's great to look out there and see those guys out there and knowing that they can win 50/50 balls and make plays. They are big and fast and lenghty and they can make plays with the ball. They can catch the ball in traffic, they have big frames, and their run-blocking is outstanding. They take more pride in that than catching a touchdown.

On not turning the ball over...We always focus on being on the plus side of the turnover margin and that starts with me. We have a big emphasis on it and it will just be a focus the rest of the way.

On building a stronger bond with the coaches and receivers...We're around each other all of time and when I hear a play call, usually it was something I had an idea would be called and so I am understanding things better. We have a comfort-level now because we kind of understand each other. They know what I throw well, I know what routes they run well, stuff like that. Same with the coaches.

On Cade Otton...Defenses have done a good job of taking him away and they know where he's lined up, but we also have different ways we can find him and line him up.

On bearing the brunt of the criticism of the fans...I hear it when I am on the field, but I can only control what I can control. I know it's tough for fans to understand what happened on a play. They don't always know the ins and outs of things. I just focus on getting ready for the game and watching film and being ready when we go out there. It's the nature of the position. I knew that going in.

On Monday, Washington Head Coach Jimmy Lake spoke to the media to update them on what he saw on the tape of UW's 20-13 road win over Stanford, but as important the injury status on a number of players, including Ryan Bowman, who will miss the rest of the season due to an arm injury. Below is the entire transcript of what Lake said, including his feelings on Washington's next opponent, the Oregon Ducks. Oregon Week is always a fun week because of the rivalry involved, and it's even better when the game is being played in Seattle. Kickoff at Husky Stadium is 4:30 pm on Saturday afternoon.

Here is the full audio of Dylan Morris, Sean McGrew, Carson Bruener, and Jimmy Lake post-game, as the Washington Huskies came from behind for the second-straight week on the road, this time defeating Stanford, 20-13.

If you heard the jubilation and emotion coming from Washington's locker room after their 20-13 comeback win at Stanford, you would expect Washington fans would be just as excited. And most are, but not everyone.

But that's another story for another time.

For tonight, the guys from Dawgman.com - Kim Grinolds, Chris Fetters, and Scott Eklund - focused on the things that went right Saturday night in Palo Alto, as the Road Dawgs secured their second come-from-behind road victory in as many weeks, and broke a string of losing six-straight games to the Cardinal at the Farm.

It's hard not to start with the breakout performances of Carson Bruener and Voi Tunuufi. Bruener, the son of former legendary UW tight end Mark Bruener, lapped the field with 15 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one key fumble recovered by Sav'ell Smalls that led to a Washington field goal. It was one of three turnovers forced by the Huskies that helped them win that particular battle within the larger war.

And Tunuufi, the true freshman defensive tackle from Salt Lake City, started the game like a house on fire, racking up two quick sacks on Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee, finishing the night with three tackles overall.

Their focus then turned to the run game, where Washington came one yard short from having two 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time in five years. Cameron Davis had a career night in Palo Alto, finishing with 99 yards on 18 carries. Sean McGrew led the Huskies with 114 yards on 19 carries.

The guys finished with their final thoughts of the game and how the Huskies need to take their newfound confidence and momentum - as well as a two-game win streak - back with them to Seattle as they prepare to host Oregon on Saturday afternoon.

Washington has five games remaining on their schedule and they need at least three wins in this contests to get bowl eligible. On Saturday, they travel to Stanford and a stadium in which they haven't tasted victory since 2007. For those trying to remember that far back, it was the first season that Jake Locker was the starter at quarterback for the Huskies.

Dawgman.com's Scott Eklund and Kim Grinolds sat down to preview the game, discussing the injury news that was dropped by head coach Jimmy Lake earlier this week -- Edefuan Ulofoshio and Richard Newton are gone for the year -- and what improvements, if any, the offensive line has seen with M.J. Ale back in the starting lineup.

They also talked about whether or not freshman quarterback Sam Huard, who played just one series last week against Arizona, would see the field more this week, especially if the Husky offense gets off to a slow start as well as several other subjects.

The Dawgman.com interns - Jack McCauley and Intern Emeritus Luke Mounger - break down what they've seen from the Stanford Cardinal so far this season and how they match up against the Washington Huskies going into Saturday night's game at Stanford Stadium.

Jack goes first and breaks down the Stanford offense, starting with quarterback Tanner McKee. He then moves to the Cardinal receivers and tight ends, who are some of the tallest as a complete group the Huskies will face all season long.

The Cardinal still pride themselves on being big and burly in the trenches, but the run game has been suspect. Both Jack and Luke take a stab at why Stanford hasn't been as strong in this area of the offense, and also talk about a way Stanford could still make some hay with their tailbacks. And how could UW hurt the Cardinal? They give their thoughts on that as well.

Moving to the defensive side of the ball, Luke throws out some numbers to think about, as well as the names to watch when looking at the Cardinal and who may give Washington some trouble. Dayln Wade-Perry, Thomas Booker, and Ryan Johnson are the big bodies up front. Levani Damuni is a linebacker to watch, and Kendall Williamson and Kyu Blu Kelly are the defensive backs to know.

To finish up the podcast, Jack and Luke talk about the areas where they think UW could do some damage against Stanford's defense, and also give their confidence levels when picking a UW win.

On Thursday, Washington Head Coach Jimmy Lake met with the press one final time before the Huskies (3-4) travel south to the Bay Area to face Stanford (3-4) Saturday night in Palo Alto. He took questions on some specific players coming back from injury, namely Zion Tupuola-Fetui and Jack Westover, as well as the outside linebackers and the cornerbacks gearing up to be tested by the Cardinal's bigger receivers. He was also asked about his past Halloween costumes.