AUDIO: Head coach Steve Sarkisian sand RB Bishop Sankey talk about the first full pads practice of spring football. Audio available here.

by Curtis Crabtree
KJR reporter
Twitter: @Curtis_Crabtree

MONTLAKE - Four practices in to spring football and the Washington Huskies were finally able to get to hitting in their first full pads workout.

With it being April and the season still five months away, the hitting is controlled and players try to keep from going to the ground when possible, but the intensity still was ratcheted up a level.

The defense took advantage in having a strong showing throughout team periods holding the offense without a first down for several minutes. The offensive coaching staff was getting agitated and expressed their displeasure to the offensive players after another three-and-out.

"I attribute it one to the defense," head coach Steve Sarkisian. "I thought they did a nice job being sound, being smart, doing what they are asked to do. And two I thought the offense lacked a little juice today. I thought in general, I have seen us more competitive than we were today, so that's on me - I've got to fix that."

Backup QB Derrick Brown still is struggling to complete passes, which helped keep the offense stalled and unable to make first downs.

The defense got their hands on several passes and had at least three near interceptions during the practice.

New injuries today are LB Jamaal Kearse (unspecified) and S Sean Parker. Kearse did not participate in practice and Sarkisian was mum on why he was out except to say he was hurt. Parker appeared to injure an ankle early in practice and did not participate in team drills.

S James Sample, S Travis Feeney, and FB/LB Cooper Pelluer remain in red non-contact jerseys with shoulder injuries.

WR Kevin Smith (knee), RB/LB Ryan McDaniel (knee), RB Deontae Cooper (knee), DE Hau'oli Jamora (knee), LB Alec Kimble (foot), OL Colin Tanigawa (knee), OL Colin Porter (shoulders) and DT Semisi Tokolahi (foot) remain unable to practice and likely won't during the duration of spring practice.