OFFENSE: RB Shaq Thompson (No. 7, Jr.)
What sophomore linebacker Myles Jack brings to UCLA, Shaq Thompson brings even more to Washington. Although he’s a game-changing player on defense, Thompson has transitioned to a more expansive role on offense recently for the Huskies.
In Washington’s last two games against Arizona State and Colorado, Thompson has carried the ball a combined 36 times for 272 yards and a touchdown. At 6-foot-1, 228 pounds, Thompson brings uncommon size to the position. Add to that his speed and power, and he’s proven to be a very tough player to bring down.
While Thompson’s position change, size and offensive production mirror those of Jack, the similarities end there. Coach Jim Mora described Thompson as having a longer, leaner body compared to Jack’s more compact frame. And while Jack is used in just one specific package for UCLA, Thompson has become integrated with Washington’s entire offense.
With some inconsistencies this year in Washington’s passing game behind sophomore quarterback Cyler Miles, Thompson will likely get plenty of opportunities Saturday.
DEFENSE: OLB Hau’oli Kikaha (No. 8, RS Sr.)
Washington’s defensive front seven should be as formidable a unit as UCLA will see all year, even minus Thompson. It starts up front with senior nose tackle Danny Shelton, who at 6-foot-2, 339 pounds, is an absolute load in the middle. Shelton could clog up rushing lanes for a Bruin backfield that has carried UCLA’s offense over the past two weeks.
“Tell your guards to help (redshirt junior center Jake Brendel) as often as they can,” said offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone when asked how to slow down Shelton. “You’re always looking at who can ruin the game for you, who’s the problem? He’s definitely a guy you have to be aware of. You just can’t ignore him.”
The same can be said about Washington redshirt linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha. While Shelton is a disruptive force in the middle of the Husky defense, Kikaha is absolutely lethal coming off of the edge.
Kikaha currently paces the nation with 15.5 sacks – 3.5 more than two other Pac-12 defenders who terrorized UCLA’s offensive line earlier in the year: Utah defensive end Nate Orchard and Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III.
Washington’s sack leader is a skilled run defender who sets the edge well and generally doesn’t fall for the read option. Kikaha is also an extremely consistent player, who has at least one sack in each game this year and has four multi-sack performances thus far.
While UCLA has improved its protection of redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley since its dreadful first half of the season, slowing down Kikaha and the rest of Washington’s pass rush will be priority No. 1 come Saturday.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman and Jordan Lee, Bruin Sports senior staff.