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Jacob Manu Proved Sunday he Could be Focal Point of Washington Huskies Defense
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- Jacob Manu Proved Sunday he Could be Focal Point of Washington Huskies Defense
(Joe Nicholson/Imagn Images)
Washington Huskies linebacker Jacob Mannu speaks to the media after a 24-10 win against the Washington State Cougars on Sunday at Husky Stadium in Seattle. | Teren Kowatsch/Roundtable Sports
SEATTLE — The No. 17 Washington Huskies football team started the season 1-0 after a 24-10 win against the Washington State Cougars on Sunday at Husky Stadium.
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It wasn't a perfect showing by any means for the Huskies, who mustered 10 points through the first three quarters, and were undisciplined at times, committing 12 penalties for 130 yards.
However, the defense (which also committed a pair of third-down penalties that extended drives for WSU), was stellar. It held the Cougars to zero points through the first three quarters.
UW's defense entered this season with lofty expectations, and, aside from the penalties, looked the part Sunday. At the center of Washington's defensive excellence was fifth-year linebacker Jacob Manu.
Manu transferred to the Huskies last year after a three-season stint with the Arizona Wildcats, which included a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023.
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Manu was unable to make an impact the way many, including himself, in his first year in the Pacific Northwest. In 2025, he played only five games due to injury. He finished the season with 23 total tackles (13 solo) and had a pass defended.
On Sunday, Manu finished with 11 total tackles (seven solo), including a sack. He almost had half his total tackles from a season ago in just one game.
"I feel like we looked pretty clean (on defense)," Manu said in a postgame interview Sunday. "But there's definitely work we could do. I felt like they had too many yards rushing and passing. Stuff we could work on. ... Definitely gives us momentum."
Manu, who committed a penalty himself, also made an impact beyond his play on the field. After a drive-extending penalty committed by the defense, he brought the group together and encouraged the unit.
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"I felt like the times that teams do get yards on us is when we get penalties," Manu said. "We give them the first downs and stuff. I took accountability for my penalty. ... I just told them 'that's on me.' We're gonna make up for it, we gotta be more disciplined."
In a weekly news conference Aug. 31, head coach Jedd Fisch referred to Manu as a player that makes everyone better when he's on the field, which guaranteed him a starting role on the defense among a linebacker room stacked with talent.
Manu reaffirmed his head coach's sentiments in the Apple Cup. If UW is able to be one of the top defenses in the country, as several players have stated they could be, the former Arizona linebacker and current team captain will be a big reason why.
