Powell Explains the Flurry of Husky Interceptions This Season
A year ago, the University of Washington football team came up with big numbers in just about everything it did, yards, touchdowns, sacks and victories, with the exception of one bothersome category.
Interceptions.
In Kalen DeBoer's first season in charge, the Huskies did not lead a life of football crime. They politely knocked down passes, but they didn't steal them.
For an 11-2 team, they intercepted just 7 balls, or nearly one every other game.
Times have changed for the UW secondary, which now has a rap sheet stretching from East Lansing to Montlake. Entering Saturday night's game at Arizona, the Huskies already have matched those 7 interceptions in just four outings, which is nearly two per outing. Go to a game these days, and you better check for your wallet when you leave.
The Huskies have generated at least one pass theft in each outing, picking up three this past weekend against California in their 59-32 victory.
"Having an interception in every game right now is building confidence," nickelback Mishael Powell said. "We're excited, for sure."
Mishael Powell celebrates his first career UW interception at Michigan State.
Dale Young/USA TODAY Sports
So what's happened in a year's time?
It's really been nothing more than everyone getting more comfortable with the defensive scheme and trusting the guy who's directing traffic.
"Coach [Chuck] Morrell is calling plays that are just happening to line up," Powell said of the Huskies' co-defense coordinator. "He anticipates plays that are happening."
Powell came up with his first career UW interception at Michigan State, stepping in front of Spartans receiver Tre Mosley for a first-quarter turnover that led to a touchdown and a 14-0 Husky advantage.
At this time a year ago, people said to beat DeBoer's Huskies all you had to do was outscore them. Now you have to contend with a playmaking defense trying to match the UW offense for impact.
"I'm happy that narrative is changing, for sure," Powell said, who went from starting cornerback to No. 1 nickelback with the Husky defense getting a revamp.
With the offense and defense more in sync, and interceptions showing up like flocks of seagulls at Husky Stadium, the UW football team hasn't been pressed yet, hasn't had a game in question during the second half, leading to an interesting scenario.
What happens when the Huskies run into someone capable of pressing the issue and making things uncomfortable for them for the first time this season?
"I expect to pass that test," Powell said. "I'm a pretty good test-taker myself. I think all of the defensive guys are good test-takers. We're not going to flinch. We're not going to blink."
Besides, if they shut their eyes just for a second, the Huskies might miss out on an interception or two.
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