SEATTLE -- After an eventful three weeks of fall camp, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said the “volume gets turned up” this week as the Huskies prepare for the season opener against San Diego State.
“I thought the guys brought a real sense of energy and enthusiasm, a little bit of an edge to practice today,” Sarkisian said Monday during his weekly news conference.
Whether it was injuries or position changes, Sarkisian said the adversity has shaped the team that will take the field at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CenturyLink Field.
“We got dealt our fair share of things early on, obviously, from some injuries to guys moving around to some different positions, but the end result, I believe we’re better for it and excited to go play,” Sarkisian said.
Callier, Sankey to split reps: Jesse Callier said his father always told him it’s best to “come from the bottom.”
With Chris Polk in the NFL, Callier gets his chance to force his way into the spotlight as a junior.
“Come from the bottom and no one is expecting you and, next thing you know, you’re on them,” Callier said.
Callier is listed at the top of the depth chart with sophomore Bishop Sankey. Both backs will get carries. Both backs will get a chance to prove they can play.
“I think we’ve got a good plan in place for both those kids to, hopefully, put them in position to do what they do to be successful,” Sarkisian said. “We’ll get a better feel for them as the game goes on.”
Sophomore captain John Timu: Only a sophomore, linebacker John Timu was named one of the Huskies' three defensive captains over the weekend.
When asked about the decision, Sarkisian praised Timu’s maturity.
“He’s a really mature guy,” Sarkisian said. “Sometimes he doesn’t show as much emotion as maybe we would all like, but that calming effect that he has, I think, is why he has been able to persevere so much in his own personal life with some of the injuries and things.
“There’s some natural leadership that comes out of him that guys really recognize. I think it speaks volumes to the maturity that he possesses.”
Injury report: No new injuries were reported Monday.
Steve Sarkisian listed Hau’oli Jamora, Deontae Cooper, Nate Fellner, James Johnson, Jamaal Kearse and Cooper Pelluer as the six players out for Saturday’s season opener.
Pelluer and Cooper are already dealing with season-ending injuries. Cooper (knee) and Jamora (knee) will have surgery on their respective injuries Thursday.
Quotable: When asked about his goals for the Huskies in 2012, quarterback Keith Price said, “We’re trying to win the Pac-12; that’s our goal. Obviously we’ve got to earn respect and we have to win games.”
Other notes
Washington released its depth chart Monday and Derrick Brown and Cyler Miles were both listed as backup quarterbacks. “I wanted them to keep battling, keep competing,” Sarkisian said.
Walk-on Tre Watson won the starting cornerback spot opposite Desmond Trufant. “It’s hard to deny a guy who keeps making plays,” Sarkisian said.
Erik Kohler is listed as the starting right guard. After suffering a knee injury on the first day of camp, Kohler has now worked his way back to a point where he can rejoin the first unit.
Sarkisian said at least five freshmen will play this season -- punter Korey Durkee, safety Shaq Thompson, receiver Jaydon Mickens, receiver Kendyl Taylor and defensive end Pio Vatuvei. As far as the rest of the class, “time will tell,” Sarkisian said.