Originally published Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 12:00 AM
WSU Football | Abdullah finally finds spotlight
For a guy best known as a quiet, lunch-pail type of player his entire WSU career, Husain Abdullah is sure making a lot of noise his senior...
Special to The Seattle Times
Saturday
Oregon State @ Washington State,
3:30 p.m.
PULLMAN — For a guy best known as a quiet, lunch-pail type of player his entire WSU career, Husain Abdullah is sure making a lot of noise his senior season.
The 6-foot, 199-pound safety from Pomona, Calif., has helped lead quite a turnaround for the WSU defense and helped resurrect flatlining bowl hopes.
Heading into the bye week a month ago, WSU was 2-5 and off a 53-7 whipping from Oregon. The defense was on the verge of — if not in the midst of — a total breakdown.
During the week off, safeties coach Leon Burtnett and coach Bill Doba decided to have Abdullah line up closer to the line of scrimmage to play a bigger role against the run.
The wrinkle has produced dramatic results — the defense has given up just 14.7 points per game since.
"Our corners are growing up a little bit, so we can lock them up [with receivers] and bring the house, which we didn't do early," Doba said. "Before we had to keep him deep."
"Since we moved him up closer to the line of scrimmage, he's playing exceptionally well," Burtnett said. "Nobody takes on blockers or screens better than Husain."
In WSU's 33-17 win over Stanford last Saturday, Abdullah tied a career high with 14 tackles and grabbed the game-sealing interception, a 55-yard return for a touchdown.
On Monday, he was named the Pac-10 defense player of the week.
In the past six games, Abdullah has 64 tackles, 7 ½ for a loss.
Abdullah has been a starter and solid contributor since the beginning of his redshirt sophomore season, but until recently, the soft-spoken safety has not been in the spotlight.
"I've never seen or heard my name as much as I have recently, so I must be doing something right," Abdullah joked.
This spring, his teammates voted him a defensive captain. "He's a quiet leader," Doba said. "He'll come drop by my office sometimes with suggestions or explains things from a player perspective. He's just a great kid."
"I kind of have to soak this all up right now," Abdullah said. "I just can't believe after this week, I'll never play in Martin Stadium again. I just want to do well so the lasting memory of me here is a good one."
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
WSU Basketball | Cougars hope to end second-half letdowns
LSU's late run carries it by WSU, 64-52
NW Briefs | WSU football gets a commitment
Job change a fortunate twist for LSU coach Trent Johnson
College Basketball | WSU rolls past Idaho

Snoqualmie flooding
Early flooding in the Snoqualmie Valley from the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers.
AP's News Minute
All of today's news in one minute.
nwautos

Choosing a new minivan or van? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
nwhomes

Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Mystery solved: Gov. Gregoire visiting troops in Iraq
- Kirkland's Jason Mesnick spills about "The Bachelor"
- Puyallup mom who attacked child molester with baseball bat pleads guilty to assault
- Pelicans fall out of sky from Mexico to Ore.
- Steve Kelley | UW football is "a sleeping giant" and Nick Holt plans to inject adrenaline
- In court, nightclub shooting suspect regained right to gun
- 11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks
- Chew on this: We'll soon be able to grow replacement teeth
- Tax cuts a big part of Obama's $775B plan
- Federal racketeering trial begins for Washington Hells Angels
- Israeli forces bisect Gaza, surround biggest city
513 - Holt's contract released --- he's making a lot
281 - 11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks
152 - 2009 starts...slowly
90 - A few more Holt notes
68 - UW football is "a sleeping giant" and Nick Holt plans to inject adrenaline
53 - Budget deficit looms largest
47 - Donatell to USC? More Wednesday morning links
45 - Pelicans fall out of sky from Mexico to Ore.
44 - Tuesday night wrapup
44
- 11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks
- Chew on this: We'll soon be able to grow replacement teeth
- Happy Hour | A taste of Hawaii on Queen Anne at Genki Sushi
- Homemade version of Buffalo Chicken Wings saves on calories, not on taste
- Pelicans fall out of sky from Mexico to Ore.
- Eating certain foods together helps with nutrient absorption
- Mystery solved: Gov. Gregoire visiting troops in Iraq
- Change your life in 2009 with these 52 tips
- Steve Kelley | UW football is "a sleeping giant" and Nick Holt plans to inject adrenaline
- Washington state employee hiring freeze lifted








