SEATTLE — John Ross may be small for a football player, but the receiver has made many of Washington’s biggest plays.
Ross doesn’t get the ball a lot. He has had two catches in each of Washington’s three wins. But when he does get the ball, he makes it count.
Including kickoff returns, the 179-pound sophomore has touched the ball 16 times this season. He has amassed 465 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.
His 75-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter against Illinois added to his collection of long TD scores, including a 91-yarder against Hawaii and a 55-yarder last week against Eastern Washington.
Quarterback Cyler Miles said once Ross gets behind the defense, his job is easy.
“With that guy, you can just put it up,” he said. “He’ll run under it and do the rest.”
Nose for the ball
Shaq Thompson is like a sandlot player.
The linebacker also plays offense and special teams. He usually finds a way to be in the center of the action.
Saturday, he returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns, to go along with four tackles. He also had three rushes for 16 yards.
“He has like some magical power,” nose tackle Danny Shelton said. “He gets there and the ball is just there for him.”
Short-handed secondary
Washington learned prior to Saturday’s game that starting cornerback Jermaine Kelly will likely miss the rest of the season. He suffered a broken ankle in practice and will undergo surgery on Monday.
Washington also played without its best defensive back Marcus Peters, who was suspended for a sideline tantrum last week against Eastern Washington.
Quick kicks
Washington had its first turnover of the season when Miles lost a fumble with eight minutes left in the third quarter. … Both teams combined for 19 penalties for 183 yards. … Shelton entered Saturday with 6.5 sacks, the most in the nation. He didn’t have a sack against Illinois, but helped hold the Illini to 56 yards rushing.
