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

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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After putting the Curse of the Billy Goat out to pasture, Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts is looking to make peace with another one of the historical ghosts that have haunted the team over the years.Having ended the Cubs 108-year World Series championship drought, Ricketts now wants to contact Steve Bartman.It was just so important for this organization to put this lovable loser crap to bed, Ricketts told USA Today Sports on Wednesday. ...?We had to get past that and put that in the history of the Cubs, and not the future. We changed that dialogue, and now, its all a thing in the past.Bartman was vilified by some in Chicago for attempting to catch a ball above outfielder Moises Alou along the wall in left field during Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series between the Cubs and Marlins. Bartman made contact but didnt catch it, and neither did Alou, who would have made the second out iin the eighth inning but instead jumped up and down in frustration.ddddddddddddThe Cubs fell apart and lost that game and also Game 7.At the right time, Ricketts said?of his plan to contact Bartman. Im sure well figure something out that provides closure for everybody. Hopefully, we can make it work.I never focused on ghosts or curses or Bartman or any of that stuff. ... We wanted to eventually get to that point where we can pick out rings ... and here we are.Frank Murtha, a lawyer who has served as Bartmans spokesman, told USA Today that Bartman still lives and works in the Chicago area. Bartman has not conducted any interviews since the 2003 incident.[Bartman] was just overjoyed that the Cubs won, as all the Cubs fans are, Murtha said after the Cubs clinched the title. ' ' '