Nunley Has Best Game As Husky in the Desert, Intercepts First Pass

After extremely short season in 2022, the safety has drawn a lot of game time this fall.

During University of Washington fall camp, Vince Nunley turned down all media interview requests because, as he put it, he hadn't done anything yet. 

The sophomore safety from Oakland, California, might feel a little more inclined to share himself now with the people with the ever-present questions and cameras.

On Saturday night against Arizona, the 6-foot-1, 187-pound Nunley had his best game as a Husky by coming up with a career-best 6 tackles and stepping in front of a Noah Fifita pass intended for tight end Tanner McLachlan for his first career interception.

"That was a great play to see out of Vince — anticipation," UW coach Kalen DeBoer said of the takeaway. "You could see Fifita was under duress there, starting to get dragged down and knowing that he had to get rid of it or was going down to the ground. I loved the way he attacked and finished the play." 

Nunley stood behind the receiver when the ball was launched, but he made his move to jump the route and get his hands on the ball. 

Vince Nunley, Husky free safety, lines up against Cal / Skylar Lin Visuals

The pass theft came in the fourth quarter, with 11:39 left to play, and had the UW on the Wildcats 44 holding every opportunity to put the game away.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, they drove to the Arizona 5 only to fumble the ball away when Germie Bernard went on a receiver run, was sandwiched by multiple defenders and hit so hard he couldn't hang on. 

Nunley has been trustworthy and a big help to the Huskies on defense this season. He's drawn a lot of game time filling in for injured starting free safety Asa Turner and even a start at Michigan State when back-up safety Kamren Fabiculanan and Turner both were out of action.

A year ago, Nunley was all set to be a regular contributor, but he suffered a knee injury in the season opener against Kent State while playing special teams and was lost for the season.

It's his turn to stay healthy and get his Husky career moving now. Nunley has appeared in all five games, seemingly with a lot more to come. 

"A few weeks ago he really pretty much got the start and played a lot of snaps," DeBoer said of the Michigan State game. "He's stacking up the reps with the opportunity, without Asa out there, and he's making the most of it."

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