Kalen DeBoer explains how Washington defense can slow down Quinn Ewers, Texas

The Washington defense will attempt to slow down Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on Monday in the Sugar Bowl with a trip to the national title on the line. Ewers is coming off of a massive performance in the Big 12 Championship, throwing for 452 yards and four touchdowns compared to one interception, so the Huskies know what he’s capable of.

Washington coach Kalen DeBoer spoke with ESPN just before kickoff to explain how the defense will aim to attack Ewers and the passing game. The Huskies have struggled against the pass so far this season to rank 122nd in the FBS with 263.2 air yards allowed per game, but will aim to take things as they come Monday.

“I think just recognize what they’re trying to do and trying to establish,” DeBoer said. “I know they’re gonna try to get some looks and see what our game plan is. So just recognize it and doing your job.”

DeBoer also stressed the need to be physical up front as the Huskies defense aims to get pressure on Ewers. He stressed the need for his team to “rise to the occasion” on the biggest stage they’ve been on all year.

“It will take our best,” he said. “We can rise to the occasion. We’ve shown it many times and we have all the confidence in the world that we can make it happen.”

Kalen DeBoer, Washington plan to keep attacking in second half of Sugar Bowl vs. Texas

Washington and Texas are locked at 21 at halftime of the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl, battling back and forth through the first 30 minutes.

If not for a costly mistake and a late defensive letdown, Washington might be ahead.

But coach Kalen DeBoer wasn’t overly concerned with the mistakes so long as his guys keep their heads down and keep making plays. His team has been lethal when it has mattered.

“I mean we get the ball to start the third quarter here, so that’s big,” DeBoer told the ESPN broadcast crew at halftime. “We’ve just got to keep swinging. Keep playing. We’ve been in these situations so many times, we understand what it takes. Yet we can’t have the costly mistakes. Yet we’ll pick each other up and go make the next play.”

The big miscue came with Washington leading 14-7 early in the second quarter. After Texas went three-and-out, the Longhorns punted it away.

Return man Germie Bernard appeared to have a clear shot at the ball, but he dropped it after initially appearing to secure the catch briefly. Texas jumped on it at the 22-yard line, giving its offense the ball in excellent field position.

Just three plays later the Longhorns punched it in for a tying score on a 17-yard strike from quarterback Quinn Ewers to receiver Jordan Whittington.