The fourth-year safety will need be paramount to the Huskies success in their Big Ten opener.
SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies football team (3-0) is set for its Big Ten opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1) at 8 p.m. PT on Saturday at Husky Stadium.
The Huskies will enter the game undefeated after getting through their nonconference schedule without a blemish. However, UW didn't look impressive through the first two contests, which led to it being dropped from the Associated Press Top 25.
Washington was the top vote-getter among teams not in the poll, and an emphatic win against Minnesota will go a long way towards being ranked in the poll once again.
However, the Huskies could enter the game shorthanded against an offense much different than the ones they've faced the first three weeks.
The Golden Gophers have third-year quarterback Drake Lindsey under center, who's more of a traditional pocket passer. That's a departure from the last three signal-callers Washington has faced, who all were mobile with play-extending capabilities.
Lindsey being a more traditional passer puts extra pressure on the UW secondary, which could be without two starting cornerbacks.
Fourth-year cornerback Emmanuel Karnley and third-year nickelback Rahshawn Clark will both be game-time decisions Saturday.
If both are unable to go, the starting corners will be true freshman Jeron Jones, second-year Dylan Robinson and either second-year Ramonz Adams Jr. or third-year Elias Johnson. Adams and Johnson have a combined seven games of experience.
If the cornerback room is down to those starters Saturday, it will put more pressure on the safeties to neutralize Minnesota's passing attack, particularly fourth-year safety Alex McLaughlin.
McLaughlin, who's in his second year with UW, is off to an amazing start to the year.
Through the first three weeks, McLaughlin has totaled 22 tackles (18 solo), including three tackles for loss and two sacks. He's intercepted two passes, force a fumble and has five passes defended.
At times this season, Clark has moved up to a free safety position in specific formations, which has allowed McLaughlin and second-year safety Rylon Dillard-Allen to play closer to the line of scrimmage.
This has allowed McLaughlin to get more involved in run defense and be involved in blitz packages.
If Clark is unable to play, however, McLaughlin could be asked to play in the free safety position more Saturday in efforts of limiting the Gophers to short-yardage opportunities in the passing game.
Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters could also have Dillard-Allen play up top more, and align McLaughlin closer to the line to take away any potential damage with short yardage situations or screen plays.
McLaughlin's versatility gives Walters and the rest of the staff several avenues to make up for the potential absence of Clark and Karnley.
However the coaches opt to use McLaughlin, his performance Saturday will be important in keeping Minnesota's passing game quiet.
