Washington Huskies Defensive Line Among Best in Big Ten

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The Washington Huskies football team will conclude its nonconference schedule against the Eastern Washington Eagles at 4:15 p.m. PT on Saturday at Husky Stadium in Seattle.

The Huskies are still attempting to find their best form after mustering 40 total points on offense through the first two weeks of the regular season: a 24-10 win against the Washington State Cougars on Sept. 6 and a 16-14 victory against the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 12.

While the offense is still looking to build its chemistry while fighting through injuries, the defense has been stellar.

The Washington defensive unit has forced six turnovers through the first two weeks and has allowed three combined touchdowns.

The Huskies' potency in stopping opposing offenses begins up front, and the defensive line has the stats to back it up.

Per a graphic shared in a post on "X" from 247Sports writer Cody Nagel, Washington has generated a pressure rate of just over 40% through the first two weeks of the regular season. That mark places the Huskies among the best Power Four programs in the country. The only two teams in the Big Ten ahead of UW in that category, per the graphic, are the Michigan Wolverines and Maryland Terrapins.

Washington has able to maintain this mark despite being without one of its best defensive lineman, fourth-year Elinneus Davis, for the game against the Aggies. He is also likely to be out for Saturday's game against the Eagles.

The Huskies have a deep defensive line room that features a healthy balance of youth, experience and overall athleticism.

Between fourth-year edge rusher Jacob Lane, Davis (when healthy) true freshmen edge rusher Ramzak Fruean and fellow first year Derek Colman-Brusa, the starting defensive line is already dangerous. The rotation behind those four players adds to that potency.

Seven players on the defensive line (Lane, Colman-Brusa, Darin Conley, Isaiah Ward, Rusell Davis II, Kai McClendon, DeSean Watts) have at least one tackle for loss. Three players (Colman-Brusa, Davis II, Watts) have at least one sack.

The defensive line will likely have more opportunities to add those numbers Saturday, as Eastern Washington plays in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Through three games, Eagles quarterback Nate Bell has been sacked seven times, five of which came against fellow FCS team South Dakota.

With Davis likely out against Eastern Washington, either Conley or McClendon will step in as the starter at one of the defensive tackle spots.

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