STANFORD, Calif. -- Stanford coach David Shaw fired back at Washington's Steve Sarkisian over allegations that the Cardinal faked injuries in its 31-28 win against Washington on Saturday, even going as far to call the Huskies coach "unprofessional."
"We don't fake injuries. We never have and we never will," Shaw said Tuesday. "And I don't care what Steve Sarkisian thinks that he saw."
Shaw first made the comments on the Pac-12 teleconference, then repeated them with local media about 45 minutes later. They came in response to Sarkisian's accusations, which came during a postgame radio interview.
"Their defensive line coach (Randy Hart) was telling them to sit down," Sarkisian said on KJR 950-AM. "I guess that's how we play here at Stanford, so we'll have to prepare for that next time."
Hart spent 21 seasons at Washington beginning in 1988 and has coached college football every year since 1970, including the last four seasons at Stanford. Hart's departure from Washington coincided with the arrival of Sarkisian.
"I believe it's unprofessional to call out an assistant coach on another team. It was unprofessional; it was disrespectful," Shaw said. "The only D-line coach that I know of that's ever instructed players to fake an injury works at the University of Washington, not at Stanford.
"That's not calling a person out, that's stating a fact."
Shaw's reference was to Washington defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi, who was suspended for a game in 2010, while at Cal, after admitting to coaching the strategy in a game against Oregon.
Shaw also took offense to the second half of Sarkisian's comment regarding how Stanford plays.
"How we play here at Stanford is averaging five and a half penalties a game. We're one of the least penalized teams in the nation," he said. "How we play here at Stanford has led to three BCS bowl games in a row, a Pac-12, a Rose Bowl and an Orange Bowl championship and 100 percent graduation rate.
"We're one of the most well-respected programs in the nation. I'm not going to put that on the line just to beat Washington."
When asked if he had spoken with Sarkisian since Saturday, Shaw had no comment.
Two of the players accused of faking injuries, defensive end Ben Gardner (arm) and linebacker Shayne Skov (knee) are still dealing with the injuries they suffered in the game, Shaw said. Skov underwent an MRI after the game and did not practice Monday.
Shaw said his pointed defense was done to protect his program, coaches and players.
"I'm not even angry at (Sarkisian)," Shaw said. "Just think he crossed the line. Could see him tomorrow and say hi. But I'm going to defend what we do."
Sarkisian was asked about Shaw's comments later on the Pac-12 call.
"We saw what we saw, and we'll leave it at that," he said. "I think two reasonable people can disagree on something and move forward."