EUGENE -- As formidable a challenge as Washington's secondary will be pose to No. 17 Oregon on the Saturday, the ground game may not be much easier.
That's because No. 7 Washington's defense, which is third in scoring and 13th in total defense, is led by linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, who seems to get involved in every play.
Burr-Kirven is on a stunning pace with 74 tackles already this season, tied for third nationally. He's only 10 away from his total from last season, when he earned second-team All-Pac-12 recognition.
The 6-foot, 221-pound senior makes plays both as a downhill run stopper and in pass coverage.