Why Ryan Walters remains optimistic about Huskies’ run defense
UW defensive coordinator Ryan Walters watches his players warm up during practice on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Seattle. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter
Ryan Walters had a lot of film to watch when he game-planned for Colorado State’s offense. The Rams returned veteran quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, entering his third season in coach Jay Norvell’s scheme.
So Walters, Washington’s new defensive coordinator, watched every single snap — all 888 of them — CSU played during the 2024 campaign in preparation for UW’s 2025 season-opening game.
Then the game started, and Walters said Colorado State looked like a completely different team.
“They threw the kitchen sink at us early in that game,” Walters said Tuesday.
Washington’s defense, particularly its run defense, had its share of shaky moments during its 38-21 victory against Colorado State at Husky Stadium last Saturday. CSU redshirt freshman running back Jalen Dupree had 92 yards rushing and a touchdown on 15 carries. UW’s interior defensive line accounted for just three tackles, none for a loss.
But Walters and head coach Jedd Fisch both said they were satisfied with the defensive line’s performance against the run, especially in the second half once the Huskies (1-0) made adjustments to some of the new wrinkles Norvell’s offense introduced.
“They came out with some stuff we hadn’t seen before,” said Deven Bryant, the sophomore linebacker who made five tackles during his first career start. “So we just had to play by our rules and as the game went on we adjusted to what they were able to do.”
Walters, Fisch and Bryant agreed UW’s confusion on run defense early came primarily from one source: CSU’s Tahj Bullock. A fifth-year quarterback who previously played at Virginia Tech and Akron, he joined Colorado State during the offseason. Bullock was not included on CSU’s two-deep depth chart before the game.
Fisch said the Huskies knew Bullock was a rushing threat. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder had 307 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns during two seasons at Akron. So there was some confusion when, on the first play of CSU’s second drive, Bullock lined up at slot receiver before motioning into the backfield. All while Fowler-Nicolosi remained under center.
Bullock caught a pass out after lining up as a running back on the second play, threw a pass while trying to complete a double-pass that Bryant blew up and converted a fourth-and-2 while keeping the ball on a quarterback power run. Bullock then punctuated his effectiveness by scoring on a 2-yard quarterback counter to tie the game 7-7.
His involvement confused the UW defense, and Dupree took advantage. His two longest carries of the game — one for 19 yards and another for 20 yards — both came during CSU’s second drive while the Huskies were trying to figure out how they were going to defend Bullock. Though it’s worth noting Bullock wasn’t on the field during both of Dupree’s long runs.
Fisch added that CSU’s wrinkles with Bullock also tested UW’s ability to communicate. Bryant and junior linebacker Taariq “Buddah” Al-Uqdah were playing their first game together, along with safeties Alex McLaughlin and Makell Esteen.
“The quarterback counter, quarterback power plays were new this year,” Fisch said Monday. “The unbalanced plays they got involved with, some of the fake jet sweeps where they came back around was some new stuff for them.”
So the Huskies had to adjust. Bryant said he was tasked with following Bullock, and Walters added the team changed the leverage of its run fits. The UW defensive coordinator was pleased with how quickly his defense adopted and deployed their new assignments while maintaining their gap integrity.
“I’ve been part of teams where it takes (several) series and halftime and sometimes the game to get that communicated properly,” Walters said. “We rotated a lot of guys so they were all locked in on the sideline, seeing the corrections being made from guys being in the game previously. Was very pleased with that from my perspective.
“It gives me a lot of confidence in them to make adjustments on the fly and go execute without practicing some of those plays.”
Walters’ adjustments worked. The Huskies allowed 91 yards rushing during the first half, including 71 during the first quarter. The Rams averaged 7.9 yards per carry during the first quarter.
During the second half, the Rams attempted 11 rushes. They totaled minus-6 yards rushing. CSU was averaging 5.7 yards per carry at halftime. It ended the game averaging 3.1 yards per carry. Dupree got four carries in the second half. He gained 7 yards. Bullock barely played after the break.
“Our guys didn’t flinch,” Walters said. “I think it was good to have a game like that early against a quality opponent where it puts stress on you. It puts a little bit of pressure on you and forces you to go have to make plays at crucial moments of the game. I thought our guys responded well.”
Walters and Fisch also praised UW’s defensive line despite its limited statistical contributions. The UW coach noted the interior defensive line did a good job taking up space and putting other players in positions to make tackles. Walters added that Fowler-Nicolosi was almost always under pressure even though no defensive lineman registered a sack.
Washington’s defensive line created 15 quarterback hurries according to Pro Football Focus. Junior edge rushers Jacob Lane and Isaiah Ward and senior defensive lineman Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei each had three, while junior defensive tackle Bryce Butler had two.
Ward and Lane were both inches away from getting their hands on Fowler-Nicolosi when he threw the interception to Esteen. Walters added the CSU quarterback averaged just 2.19 seconds between receiving the snap and attempting a pass because of UW’s pressure.
“He was uncomfortable,” Walters said. “I thought they did a good job of forcing the issue and I’m sure the sacks will come as we get into play.”
Washington’s defensive line will get some reinforcements this week, too. Fisch said he expects sixth-year defensive tackle Logan Sagapolu — who spent a majority of fall camp as the team’s No. 1 nose tackle — to return after missing the season opener. Versatile sixth-year defensive lineman Deshawn Lynch, who wasn’t available most of fall camp and was similarly ruled out against Colorado State, might also be available against UC Davis, Fisch said.
Walters said he’s excited to get Sagapolu and potentially Lynch back, and added defensive line depth will be even more important during a grueling Big Ten season.
The UW defensive coordinator also said he was generally pleased with the way his unit played against Colorado State. Of course, there are moments Walters wants back. Particularly Dupree’s 15-yard touchdown run with 11 seconds remaining in the first half.
But the Rams had 10 drives during the Huskies’ season-opening victory. Five ended in three-and-out punts. Esteen’s interception also came during a potential three-and-out situation.
“Anytime you can get off the field and give the ball back to the offense quickly,” Walters said, “that’s a recipe for winning football.”
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.
