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SEATTLE -- Before sending too much praise in the direction of No. 8 Washington and what the Huskies have done defensively through two games, there needs to be a disclaimer.Facing Rutgers and Idaho to open the season is far from a daunting task.But for those two games, the Huskies are getting what was expected from their defense. While plenty of reserves have been rotated through, Washingtons starting defense has given up just three points through the first two weeks, allowing a field goal to Rutgers and shutting out Idaho into the third quarter last Saturday before the backups got their turn.Its likely those defensive numbers are only going to get better with the Huskies closing out their non-conference slate against lower-division Portland State on Saturday.The guys for two games have played really hard and have played really focused, Washington coach Chris Petersen said Monday. Theres been a couple things, but youre always going to have a couple plays when you have -- I dont know how many plays weve seen so far, 130, 140 plays or something -- so you have a couple things. But I dont think theres been a lot of busts and I think theyve tackled fairly well.Its easy to get overshadowed when starting quarterback Jake Browning has eight touchdown passes in two games and dynamic wide receiver/kick returner John Ross has found the end zone five times. Browning leads the Pac-12 in pass efficiency rating thus far and the Huskies have scored at least 40 points in five straight games dating back to the end of last season. Thats a first in school history.But they only get those opportunities if the Huskies are doing what is expected on the defensive side.I like watching those guys when theyre like that, Petersen said.This was a defensive unit that was supposed to be good. They have experience in the front seven led by linebackers Azeem Victor and Keishawn Bierria, and perhaps one of the best defensive backfields in college football led by Budda Baker, Kevin King and Sidney Jones.The pass rush off the edge has been questionable, however. Washingtons been able to create pressure with the interior of its defensive line and through blitzes, collecting seven sacks in two games. But the Huskies are still waiting for a pass rusher off the edge to emerge to follow in the footsteps of Hauoli Kikaha in 2014 and Travis Feeney last year.While the matchup with Portland State might seem lopsided, Petersen is hopeful the Vikings offense will give Washington an unfamiliar look. Portland State runs a pistol-style offense, one that Petersen cant remember seeing since arriving at Washington.Everybodys got their strengths and weaknesses. Portland State does a great job with their offense, Petersen said. 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(STATS) -- Whether it occurred on offense, defense or special teams, the first-round winners in the FCS playoffs were opportunistic.Home for the holidays meant something as seven of the eight hosts won on Thanksgiving Saturday, with San Diegos upset at Cal Poly the exception. Six of the games were decided by double-digits.Heres a first-round review:---=NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS=SATURDAY, NOV. 26FIRST ROUNDVillanova 31, Saint Francis 21Story Line: Quarterback Zach Bednarczyk passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns and the Wildcats defense totaled six sacks and held the Red Flash to 27 net rushing yards on 22 carries.Game Ball: Nova tight end Ryan Bell picked the right game to haul in a career-high 110 yards, turning two of his five receptions into touchdowns.Key Stat: Bell (110), running back Matt Gudzak (117) and wide receiver Jarrett McClenton (115) each had over 100 yards from scrimmage.The Takeaway: The Wildcats are motivated by their desire to keep retiring coach Andy Talleys final season going. They feature a good mix of run and pass on offense and a defense, led by CAA Football defensive player of the year Tanoh Kpassagnon, that is one of the best in Talleys tenure.Up Next: Villanova (9-3) will play at No. 8 seed South Dakota State (8-3) in the second round Dec. 3 (3 p.m. ET)---=Chattanooga 45, Weber State 14Story Line: Chattanoogas playoff experience was on full display as it put the game away by halftime, 24-0. It was the sixth time this season they didnt allow a point in the first half.Game Balls: The 1-2 backfield punch of quarterback Alejandro Bennifield (three total touchdowns) and running back Derrick Craine (160 yards, one touchdown) controlled the action.Key Stat: The Mocs forced five turnovers, the most in over five years. They scored on two of them -- Montrell Pardues 99-yard fumble return and Trevor Wrights 41-yard interception return.The Takeaway: The Mocs have opened play in three straight playoffs with dominating wins. The last two years, theyve lost their second game on the road. This year, theyll need a superior defensive effort to overcome Sam Houston States top-ranked offense.Up Next: Chattanooga (9-3) will play at No. 5 seed Sam Houston State (11-0) in the second round Dec. 3 (3 p.m. ET)---=New Hampshire 64, Lehigh 21Story Line: New Hampshires seniors led the way. Quarterback Adam Riese passed for a career-high 273 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for one score, while running back Dalton Crossan ran for 184 yards and scored three TDs. Cornerback Casey DeAndrade had nine tackles and an interception on the games opening drive that set up Crossans first touchdown, a 5-yard run.Game Ball: Riese has had a secondary role in the starting lineup, but with starting quarterback Trevor Knight injured, the senior co-captain lifted his game.Key Stat: Lehigh had an FCS-low eight turnovers entering the game, but committed four as its nine-game winning streak ended.The Takeaway: The Wildcats looked like a team making their 13th straight appearance in the playoffs. That postseason experience gives them a chance as they head to the road for a rematch against CAA Football champion James Madison.Up Next: New Hampshire (8-4) will play at No. 4 seed James Madison (10-1) in the second round Dec. 3 (2 p.m. ET)---=Wofford 15, Charleston Southern 14Story Line: Lorenzo Long rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns and the Wofford defense made winning plays in the tightest matchup of the first round.Game Ball: With Wofford clinging to a 15-14 lead, cornerback Devin Watson intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter, including one in the final 2 1/2 minutes at his teams 29.Key Stat: The Terriers avoided mistakes, as they didnt commit a turnover and had only one penalty in their fifth straight win.The Takeaway: With 28 seniors, coach Mike Ayers team has an intangible thats huge in the postseason. Their defense has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher heading into their rematch with Southern Conference champ The Citadel, once again the FCS rushing leader.Up Next: Wofford (9-3) will play at No. 6 seed The Citadel (10-1) in the second round Dec. 3 (6 p.m. ET)---=Richmond 39, North Carolina A&T 10Story Line: Having lost its eigghth starter -- quarterback Kyle Lauletta -- to a season-ending injury last weekend, Richmond answered the adversity with a dominating effort in all three phases of the game, especially special teams.ddddddddddddGame Ball: Quarterback Kevin Johnson, who had been in a redshirt season, played well in his first career start. He passed for 315 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a score.Key Stat: Richmond limited N.C. A&T running back Tarik Cohen, the MEACs all-time leading rusher, to 70 yards from scrimmage and forced his first fumble after 528 straight touches without one.The Takeaway: The Spiders were considered one of the main contenders for the national title going into the season. Despite all the injuries, they have senior leaders who have won in each of the last three playoffs, so they wont be fazed by going on the road to North Dakota. Theres no reason, they played at North Dakota State last postseason.Up Next: Richmond (9-3) will play at No. 7 seed North Dakota (9-2) in the second round Dec. 3 (6 p.m. ET)---=Central Arkansas 31, Illinois State 24Story Line: Central Arkansas overcame a 17-7 deficit after three quarters by scoring 24 points on its first four possessions of the fourth. Antwon Wells 4-yard touchdown run with 1:28 remaining was the game-winning score.Game Ball: UCA special teams. George Odum blocked a punt that teammate Jakari Dillard returned for a touchdown in the first minute of the fourth quarter, sparking the UCA comeback. After the Bears went ahead 21-17 with 9:51 left, they recovered an onside kick which resulted in a field goal.Key Stat: Illinois State was dropped for negative yards 10 times, including two sacks by defensive end Chris Chambers and one by nose tackle Terrence Partee.The Takeaway: After getting picked apart by Sam Houston States FCS-leading quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe in their regular season finale last Saturday, the Bears were adequate against Illinois States emerging Jake Kolbe. But they will need a stronger effort against Eastern Washingtons high-flying attack led by quarterback Gage Gubrud and wide receiver Cooper Kupp.Up Next: Central Arkansas (10-2) will play at No. 2 seed Eastern Washington (10-1) in the second round Dec. 3 (4 p.m. ET)---=Youngstown State 38, Samford 24Story Line: Youngstown States first playoff game in 10 years was a rousing success as the Penguins rushed for 289 yards and five touchdowns.Game Ball: Running back Jody Webb rushed for a career-high 174 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yarder. He finished with 276 all-purpose yards.Key Stat: The Missouri Valley Football Conferences No. 1 rushing offense kept pounding away to the tune of 38 minutes, 58 seconds in time of possession.The Takeaway: Coach Bo Pelinis squad might have a deceptive home/road split -- 7-0 at Stambaugh Stadium and only 2/3 on the road. But it includes games at West Virginia and the three other MVFC playoff teams (North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Illinois State), so the Penguins appear ready to take their shot at Jacksonville State.Up Next: Youngstown State (9-3) will play at No. 3 seed Jacksonville State (10-1) in the second round Dec. 3 (2 p.m. ET)---=San Diego 35, Cal Poly 21Story Line: San Diego avenged a 38-16 loss to Cal Poly on Sept. 10 and earned the Pioneer Football Leagues first-ever win in the FCS playoffs.Game Ball: Fifth-year running back Jonah Hodges was the workhorse on a sloppy track, carrying the ball 35 times for 171 yards and three touchdowns.Key Stat: Hodges outrushed what had been the FCS top-ranked rushing attack and the Toreros limited Cal Poly to 195 yards, nearly 300 below its average.The Takeaway: This was a glorious game for the PFL as the Toreros played like, well, the seasoned veterans that they are under coach Dale Lindsey, whos led three league champions in four seasons. Having moved into the STATS FCS Top 25 for the first time this past week, the national ranking appears well-deserved.Up Next: San Diego (10-1) will play at No. 1 seed North Dakota State (10-1) in the second round Dec. 3 (3:30 p.m. ET) ' ' '