Tui runs into larger role for UW
SEATTLE -- Zach Tuiasosopo isn`t just a blocker anymore.
Tuiasosopo, the University of Washington senior fullback from Woodinville, turned out to be one of the few offensive bright spots in a 35-16 loss to Fresno State on Sunday at Husky Stadium.
In his previous two years as the starting fullback, Tuiasosopo rarely carried the ball or had the ball thrown to him. He was purely a blocker.
But Tuiasosopo, who is 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, showed against Fresno State that he`s going to be a contributor as a runner and a receiver this season as well as a blocker for tailback Kenny James.
He set career highs with five receptions for 47 yards and with his 51 yards rushing on two carries, including a 50-yard run to the Fresno State eight-yard line early in the second quarter that set up an 8-yard touchdown run by James.
``I saw a big hole,`` said Tuiasosopo, who broke loose on the right side of the line. ``The O-line opened up the Red Sea for me, and all I could do was run through it. I don`t think I had any other choice.``
It appeared Tuiasosopo might score a touchdown with an open field ahead of him, but cornerback Richard Marshall caught him from behind. Tuiasosopo`s previous longest career run was 13 yards.
``Man, I wanted it so bad,`` Tuiasosopo said about coming up short of scoring his third career touchdown. ``That`s one of those things you`ve got to learn. You have to learn to finish it.``
UW center Brad Vanneman, the former Issaquah High star, admired the long run by Tuiasosopo.
``He had that one rumble to the eight-yard line,`` Vanneman said. ``I thought he would (score). But he`s a big boy. He runs very well and he`s very athletic for how big he is.``
The Huskies want to get the fullback more involved in the offense this season. Tuiasosopo had only 44 carries for 121 yards the past two years. He had only 17 receptions.
``He did everything we asked him,`` said John Pettas, the UW offensive coordinator. ``We anticipated going in that he would have a game like that.``
Tuiasosopo rushed for 1,055 yards his senior year at Woodinville, where he also starred at defensive end. The Huskies played Tuiasosopo at linebacker as a redshirt freshman before switching him to fullback as a sophomore in 2002.
``We`ve always known he`s a great receiver,`` Pettas said. ``We`re going to utilize him more.``
The Sporting News picked Tuiasosopo as the No. 1 fullback in the nation this season in its preseason issue. UW coach Keith Gilbertson said before the season that Tuiasosopo will be playing in the NFL next year.
Getting the ball more and setting career highs aren`t that big of a deal to Tuiasosopo, especially after his team suffered such a lopsided loss at home.
``I`m not too worried about season highs,`` Tuiasosopo said. ``I think coach Pettas and the offensive staff has put together a good scheme. Whether it entails the fullback getting more work or not, I`m just out there doing my job.
``My main focus in on the team`s success right now,`` Tuiasosopo said.
The extra week off before playing UCLA on Sept. 18 at Husky Stadium should help the Huskies figure out their problems at quarterback.
``It`ll give us time to sharpen up and correct what needs to be corrected,`` Tuiasosopo said. ``I think it will be good for us.``
Despite the final score, Tuiasosopo saw a few positive performances as well as areas where the team needs to improve.
``We did a lot of things well and some things bad,`` Tuiasosopo said. ``Our defense played phenomenal and gave the offense plenty of opportunities to put points on the board and that`s one thing the offense needs to take advantage of.``
It`s possible even more plays might go to Tuiasosopo after his showing on Sunday.
``I hope so,`` Vanneman said. ``He gets us first downs. He keeps the ball moving. Zach can do that for us. He makes plays.``
Thrilled for Bellevue
As players from the Eastside, Tuiasosopo and Vanneman were thrilled that Bellevue beat De La Salle 39-20 on Saturday at Qwest Field to end the Concord, Calif., school`s 151-game winning streak.
``I`m excited, it`s a great high school program at Bellevue,`` Tuiasosopo said. ``I wish them well this season. Washington football. Don`t forget about us up here.`` Vanneman, who played for Issaquah against Bellevue, wasn`t quite as excited as Tuiasosopo.
``I`m always happy whenever Washington wins especially against an incredible program like De La Salle,`` Vanneman said. ``Then again, I`m from Issaquah, so I can`t be that happy for them.``
Redshirt freshman Matt Coombs, a fullback, is the only Bellevue High player on the UW roster. Backup offensive lineman Robin Meadow played at De La Salle and received a little teasing Sunday from his teammates.
``I think some people did,`` Tuiasosopo said. ``But he`s a good guy. We want to keep him here, not run him out.``
Local notes: Junior outside linebacker Evan Benjamin of Redmond showed his move this season to linebacker from safety certainly gave a boost to the Husky defense. Benjamin had an interception and was second on the team in tackles with 11, including two for losses. His move to linebacker gives the Huskies more speed at the position. ...Redshirt freshman quarterback Carl Bonnell of Kentwood was the third Husky quarterback to play when he came into the game with just 3 minutes, 28 seconds left in the contest. He rushed for 16 yards on his first play. He finished as the third-leading rusher with 24 yards on four carries. He completed 2 of 4 passes for minus 3 yards. ...Freshman defensive tackle Jordan White-Frisbee of Inglemoor was one of three true freshmen to play. He played a limited reserve role and didn`t have a tackle. ...Sophomore linebacker Tahj Bomar of Kentwood played on special teams. ...Senior linebacker Tim Galloway of Auburn had three tackles in a reserve role. His action was limited behind Joe Lobendahn, who had a team-high 16 tackles, including five for losses.
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