Scouting: Washington @ Notre Dame

Posted October 01, 2009 11:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Notre Dame running back Robert Hughes (33) found some running room against Purdue last weekend, but top rusher Armando Allen should play against Washington on Saturday. Associated Press

Washington (2-2) at Notre Dame (3-1)

When: 2:40 p.m. Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium

TV: Channel 5; Radio: WLS 890-AM

Series: Notre Dame leads 7-0

Coaches: Steve Sarkisian (2-2, first year at Washington); Charlie Weis (32-22, fifth year at Notre Dame)

Players to watch: Washington junior QB Jake Locker had been off to a monstrous start, but he completed barely 50 percent of his passes and threw 2 picks in last week's loss to Stanford. He still has 1,002 yards and 6 TDs to go with 3 INTs. Redshirt freshman RB Chris Polk has been remarkably consistent. He has been in the 19- to 25-carry and the 71- to 90-yard range in all four games. Senior LB Donald Butler ranks No. 2 in the Pac-10 with 38 tackles.

Notre Dame expects to regain top rusher Armando Allen (326 yards, 3 TDs), who missed last week's squeaker over Purdue with a sprained ankle. Jimmy Clausen's turf toe is more problematic, though it's difficult to believe the nation's No. 4 passer (77 of 117, 1,122 yards, 10 TDs, 1 INT) won't start. WR Golden Tate rates among the country's top 35 in catches (24) and yards (358).

The skinny: The Irish kick off a three-game, four-Saturday homestand against a Washington team that might be the nation's most-improved program. The Huskies were ranked No. 24 last week before falling 34-14 at Stanford, but new coach Steve Sarkisian (the former USC assistant head coach) knows how to attack Notre Dame's defense. Speaking of that defense, sophomore strong-side linebacker Darius Fleming from St. Rita High School has been a big-play machine. He owns just 11 tackles this year, but he leads the Irish with 7 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He had 3 TFLs last week against Purdue. Fleming and junior fullback Robert Hughes (Hubbard HS) are the only Illinois natives listed as starters on the depth chart, though sophomore Sean Cwynar (Marian Central) is No. 2 at nose tackle.

Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian, who was an assistant coach at USC, has gone up against Notre Dame's defense many times in his young career. Associated Press

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen reacts to the crowd after Notre Dame defeated Purdue 24-21 last weekend. On Saturday, the Irish begin a four-game home stand starting with Washington Associated Press

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