It’s a two-sided story for UCLA and Washington star linebackers

The showdown has finally come: Jack Attack vs. Shaq Attack.

In a duel of linebackers who are also used as running backs, UCLA’s Myles Jack and Washington’s Shaq Thompson will square off Saturday at Husky Stadium.

It’s being billed in some quarters as Godzilla vs. Mothra, only bigger.

But not by Thompson.

“I really don’t know why it’s a big deal,” the Huskies’ star said. “Outside the media and fans, no one is really talking about it. I’m just playing football.”

Yes, but on both sides of the ball.

Jack gets it. “I think it’s cool,” he said. “I don’t know anyone else in country doing this. I guess me and him are the ones making the most noise.”

Theirs is a sideshow act in a game that UCLA needs to win if the Bruins want to get to the Pac-12 Conference title game.

This is the second season that Jack, a sophomore, has been employed as a dual threat. He had 267 yards rushing last season, which included a 59-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Huskies.

Jack has been used more judiciously this season, mostly in short-yardage situations.

Coach Jim Mora says he keeps tabs on Jack’s physical condition during games. “We have to monitor where he is cardiovascular, and how many hits he’s taking and how that is going to affect him on defense,” Mora said.

It helps that the Bruins can now count on Paul Perkins, who has rushed for 1,074 yards.

“We’re running the ball pretty well right now,” Mora said. “We don’t want to mess with it.”

Washington Coach Chris Petersen had a different situation. “We had some backs who were a little banged up so we needed to get something going there,” Petersen said.

Thompson, a junior, was a perfect candidate. He has speed, scoring four defensive touchdowns this season — three fumble returns and one intercepted pass.

“We had a little package for him and kind of dabbled in it and got mediocre results [earlier in the season],” Petersen said. “Shaq did some good things, but you have to give guys at that position a chance to get into a rhythm.”

Thompson had his role expanded and gained 98 yards against Arizona State and 174 yards against Colorado. He appeared on defense for one play against Arizona State and was on offense exclusively against Colorado.

“I like being versatile and going both ways,” Thompson said. “I played running back in high school and it was just running to a gap. It’s different in college because the game is much faster.”

Thompson, like Jack, prefers defense. “You get to fly around and hit people instead of getting hit,” he said. “I think everyone enjoys that more.”

Petersen said Thompson would be back on defense this week, but that it was a delicate balance.

“There is a lot sophistication to what we’re trying to get done on both sides of the ball,” Petersen said. “So to just throw a guy out there is hard to do. What meetings do you put him in? What walk-throughs? How do you divide up the reps? It’s a lot easier said than done.”

Duarte in, Iese out?

The Bruins expect to get receiver Thomas Duarte back this week. He missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.

Duarte gives the Bruins a good mid-range receiver. UCLA opponents have been dropping eight deep in recent games to take away the long pass.

But the Bruins may be without fullback Nate Iese, who missed practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury. Iese is another big receiver who is a punishing runner. He is also a key component in pass protection.

chris.foster@latimes.com

Twitter: @cfosterlatimes