This Saturday night, UW will be wearing throwback uni's in tribute to their 1960 football team. Why the sudden honor of the 1960 team? Because UW will now officially recognize that team as a national champion, even in not many others around the county will follow suit. They'll have a ceremony honoring the team at halftime, and they'll even hoist a national championship banner. A nice idea to fire up the home crowd for top-ranked USC during the national TV broadcast. But, is it legit to give them the crown 47 years after the fact?

Here are the facts. In 1960, several of the major polls would actually do their voting before the bowl games were played. A weird way to do it, no doubt about it. Can you imagine if, for example, Ohio State would have been voted the national champions before the BCS title game vs. Florida last year? The outrage would flourish from sea to shining sea. Back then, the bowls were seen as more of a reward for the season and viewed basically as exhibition games, and/or a boost for tourism in the cities where the bowls were played. Minnesota was crowned the national champions by the AP and UPI, among other polls, after the 1960 season was in the books. Washington would lose just one game that season, but they still finished sixth in the major polls heading into the 1961 Rose Bowl. UW would then beat top-ranked Minnesota 17-7 in that Rose Bowl, so in doing the math, they figured they were the champions.

But what about the little matter of the polls? Shouldn't that be the official deal in all this? UW was, in fact, given the national title by one outfit, called the Helms Athletic Foundation. If you haven't heard of the Helms poll, you aren't alone. The poll began in 1936 and disbanded in 1982. They were one of the few polls at the time that did the voting after the bowls were played, so at least that is legit in today's standards. But what about Minnesota's banner? After all, the AP and UPI carried the most weight, and they were given the title. Should they now take their banner down? And what about Mississippi? They may have the strongest claim of anyone. They went undefeated that year, with one tie, and were given the title by the Football Writers of America. In Mississippi, they actually do recognize themselves as the champion that year based on the FWA poll.

It's a cloudy picture, with each program believing they were #1. But even NCAA historian Beano Cook is weighing in on the matter in today's Seattle P-I:

"Mississippi has as much right to claim it as Washington," said Beano Cook, an ESPN commentator and college football historian who can be heard Tuesday mornings at 8 on KJR-AM/950. "They can do what they want -- it's a good way to get the team up for USC -- but nobody else is going to recognize them officially."

So, it's a nice idea and a cool way to honor a great team in school history. And UW claiming at least a fraction of the title from that year isn't going to cause anyone any pain. But UW shouldn't be shocked if ESPN doesn't dedicate a lot of their Gameday coverage about the 1960 team. In fact, outside of Seattle, the event won't likely generate much more than a collective shrug of the shoulders among college football fans. But so what. UW was given the title by one poll, and that's all that matters here. Celebrating history and tradition is a huge part of the college football experience, so if UW wants to add a national championship in their media guide and by hoisting a banner, then go for it. Why not honor a great team from the past, even if nobody else will do the same?

Washington, Your 1960 National Champs originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I know it's trite to say something was in the air. Of course there was smoke (from barbecues...yeah, just barbecues), cheers (from fans) and beer (beer bongs gone all wrong). But there wasn't a metaphorical "something" in the air. That's just crap.

But there was a feeling. Before the game. During it. After... This was not Husky football circa 2002-2006. The feeling of Rose Bowls, National Championships and All-Americans was back again Saturday.

Thing is, most people -- about 60,000 happy UW fans -- walked out of Husky Stadium Saturday after the Huskies' 24-10 win over Boise State with the kind of pompous stride that you don't see after an upset, but rather after an expected win on what was a surprisingly sunny, warm day in the Emerald City.

Obviously the win is big for the Washington football program. The Dawgs haven't started 2-0 since 2001, and with the Ohio State coming to Seattle next weekend, any kind of win, let alone a big one like this, gives a team the confidence that only winning can give. You know Ohio State is expecting a tough game next weekend.

On Saturday, the fans were loud, the echoes of Husky Stadium were booming and there was a sense of pride and arrogance among Husky fans. The cheers carried on for hours after the games. The hi-fives were non-stop: student to student, alum to student, old person to young, man to woman, frat guy to RA.

And with the Jake Locker Era just beginning, there's a sense of excitement and passion that had died on Montlake the last five years. I don't want to jump the gun and say the Huskies are back. Two wins can't bring a storied college football program back. But that feeling...that feeling is coming back.

In person: Washington vs. Boise State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After a slow start and a quick 3-0 Syracuse lead, you had to wonder what all the fuss was about in regards to phenom QB Jake Locker. But after a scoreless first quarter, Locker got rolling in the 2nd by using his feet as much as his arm, sparking the Huskies to a lead they would never relinquish as UW ran away from Syracuse, 42-12.

Locker was off his game early, starting only 1-for-4 for seven yards, before settling into a nice rhythm to finish the game at 14-for-19 with 143 yards through the air. Locker would hit on 13 of his final 15 passing attempts as his confidence seemed to grow with every tick of the clock.

The most impressive aspect of Locker's game was his ability to run the ball and make something out of nothing. Sean McDonough was doing the play-by-play on ESPN and mentioned that UW coaches had watched some film on Pat White and West Virginia this offseason, trying to add in some extra wrinkles to the offense to get the most out of Locker's athleticism. No doubt that film work showed tonight. There were some of those read-option plays, but Locker's ability really showed when he would tuck it and run on plays where there didn't seem to be anything there. His 25-yard second quarter run when it was still a tight game seemed to lift the entire football team, and really, UW didn't look back from that point on. Locker finished with 83 yards on nine carries, while sitting out the entire fourth quarter. It's easy to envision him going over 100 yards if he would have played another couple of series tonight, as Syracuse just had no answer for Locker.

Some other things to take from this game:

• Louis Rankin (pictured) had a big game and clearly helped Locker settle down early by running hard at the 'Cuse defense. Rankin would finish with 147 yards and three scores and his 47-yard TD run early in the 3rd quarter put UW up 21-6 as they cruised from that point. But it was Rankin's 61 first-half yards and tough presence early in the game that took heat off Locker's slow start.
• UW controlled the line of scrimmage on offense, racking up an impressive 303 rushing yards, and 445 yards of total offense. The Huskies really ground out the long drives, with three scoring possessions of 80 yards, and two more of 70 yards.
• The UW defense was in Andrew Robinson's face all night long. Robinson put up some respectable numbers passing in his first-ever start, going 20-for-32 for 200 yards and a TD, but he was on the run for much of the night. The Husky pass rush was ferocious, sacking Robinson seven times. The worst thing for Robinson was that he had absolutely no help at all from his running backs. Starting RB Curtis Brinkley could only muster eight yards on seven carries. Syracuse only had eight total rushing yards on a night that they were whipped by the UW defensive line. They were completely one-dimensional, and it's hard to generate much offense out of a young QB if he doesn't have any help from the running game. Syracuse could have used a back like Louis Rankin on a night like this!

Now let's not bet the mortgage on Jake Locker's enshrinement to the NCAA Hall of Fame just yet. Keep in mind that Syracuse was picked to be a last-place team in the Big East, and there is a reason for that. Talent wise they did not look to be on the same level as UW, and their team speed on defense was definitely lacking. And, there wasn't any tape out there of Locker, so, the Syracuse defensive coaches really didn't have much to go on for this game. Now the secret is out there for public consumption, and opposing coaches have game film to break down and try to figure out how to stop this young player on the rise.

However, you just can't deny that the Locker era is off to a great beginning. It's hard to imagine a debut for a young QB going much better than this.

Locker Era Starts Big as UW Crushes Orange originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arrest Thins Out UW Secondary originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Washington added a new recruit yesterday, gaining an oral pledge from versatile running back Demetrius Bronson from Kentwood high school in Kent, WA. Not closing the door on other opportunities, Bronson is "95% committed to UW" per the article in the Seattle Times. Bronson is a 5-10, 200lb running back with a reported 4.47 40-yard time, and Scout.com has him rated as a 3-star player.

Why is getting a 3-star player significant? Because it highlights something that has been happening on the recruiting trail after the 2007 class put pen to paper in February. UW is building some serious recruiting momentum up in the northwest, and it's obvious the Huskies are on to something big on their road back to contention.

Want proof? Check out the verbal commitment lists for Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State, and it's pretty clear who is winning the battle. Washington now sports nine verbal commits, tops out of the four northwest schools. Even bigger is the caliber of recruits that Washington is gaining, as three players merit a 4-star rating at this stage of the process. To put that in the proper context, Washington only had four 4-star players, total, in their 2007 class.

Then, compare Oregon's list at this time - five recruits, all of the 3-star variety. Oregon State, four recruits, two with a 3-star rating. And Washington State? Think goose-egg. That's right, Washington State has exactly zero commitments for their upcoming class. WSU head coach Bill Doba has said all along he really hates the early commitment process altogether, but the Cougars have some major ground to try and make up.

What does all this actually mean? Well, one has to always remember that unlike their basketball brethren, there is no early signing period in NCAA football. Commitments given today aren't binding in any way, shape or form, so, it's likely that a few kids will change their minds as time goes on. Some get cold feet, some get swept away by a powerhouse glamour school, etc, etc, etc. And really, nine commitments at this time of year is nice, but it pales in comparison to UCLA's whopping 23 commits, or even USC's 12 commitments filled with 4-and-5 star caliber athletes. UW has a long road to hoe to make up ground on the southern California schools, but when you think of Washington as just a 1-win team from as recently as 2004, this is all about rebuilding a program. You start by beating your neighbors for local talent, and like it or not, it takes time to repair the damage done by the Rick Neuheisel era. Clearly the quality of athletes pledging to UW is on the rise, and that can only make the rest of the NW PAC-10 schools nervous about the future.

Husky Recruiting Gaining Momentum in the Northwest? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everything was great back on Signing Day 2007. UW had it's best class in years, and certainly Ty Willingham's best class at UW. Many services had UW ranked in the top-30 in the country, including 29th at Scout.com and 4th out of 10 in the conference. But that was back in February. It's a whole different story in July.

UW is on the brink of losing two WR recruits for the 2007 season in Devin Aguilar and Anthony Boyles. Both players came in under the minimum requirement on their last round of ACT test scores, so they are likely out for this fall. Likely is the key word here, as both players are planning on retaking the test in mid-September, and should either player achieve a passing score, they could still enroll at UW.

However, as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports, both players will likely redshirt, even if they do achieve their qualifying test score.

Aguilar was a bit of a sleeper in the 2007 class, a three-star recruit with decent speed (reportedly 4.45 in the 40), and was named the Colorado state player of the year while grabbing18 touchdowns. But Boyles was widely considered as the top overall recruit for Willingham's '07 class, and there were high hopes that he could come in and play immediately as a true freshman. Boyles himself mentioned in interviews leading up to signing day that he wasn't really interested in red-shirting and was looking for the opportunity to play immediately. That opportunity likely had a hand in Boyles choosing Washington over Oregon and Colorado among others.

So the bigger question for UW fans is where does this leave the WR depth chart? While news like this is never great, this actually might not be too big a hit for 2007. There is a lot of experience at the position, including five seniors that will all see significant action next year. Wide receivers like Corey Williams and Marcel Reece had really strong spring practices and look ready to have a strong finish to their careers. While it's a whole new world in NCAA football and frosh tend to play more and more these days, it's still hard to know what UW would get out of either player as a first-timer or even if they would have seen the field in more than garbage time situations.

Maybe in the end this could be a blessing for UW and for the players involved. Aguilar is already saying as much right now in the Seattle Times:

"This was a wake-up call," he said. "But I got it that I've got to get back on the books again and handle my business."

A larger issue to worry about is if either player doesn't actually qualify. Then they cannot enroll, and they could ultimately choose the JC football route. If that happens, then they are opened back up in the recruiting mix and are completely fair game for any program in America to stroll in and snatch them away. Stay tuned.

Previously on FanHouse:

Willingham Inks 27 for '07

UW's Recruiting Class of '07 Already Taking Hits? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another spring session has wrapped up at Montlake, and as is the norm about this time of year, some questions were answered, and some are going to linger well into fall camp. Might as well revisit the Spring Practice Questions: UW Husky Edition post to review the biggest issues heading into spring ball and take inventory of where things are now that it's over.

• Who's the starting QB?

While a few eyebrows were raised because Jake Locker didn't exactly torch the UW secondary in front of media and fans, Carl Bonnell will not be the starting QB when the Huskies open at Syracuse at the end of August. At least that's what Ty Willingham, offensive coordinator Tim Lappano, and every media outlet will tell you. No UW QB controversy here, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Jake Locker is the starting QB, the guy with the upside coaches dream of, the leadership, the intangibles, the "IT" made so famous on E-Bay. Was the gap closed? Sure. Bonnell had a very strong spring, his best in his career at UW, and showed that he wasn't going to lay down just because the staff anointed Locker the starter even before the first practice of the spring. And, the Husky coaches can know in the back of their minds that if things really get ugly when bodies start flying for real this fall, they've now got a 5th-year senior QB that will be ready to go at a moment's notice. A nice luxury to have, just in case the kid QB needs to get a break every now and then.

• What about the defensive backs?

Clear as mud at this point. While Roy Lewis (pictured) had a decent spring and is set to be a starter, the opposite corner is still wide open. Byron Davenport, a JC signee who isn't yet with the team, is already penciled in at the other corner. A daunting situation when you really think about it, relying on a starter at a key spot that isn't even on campus. But Davenport's an interesting case, actually starting some games as a true frosh at UCLA in 2004 before transferring out of Westwood, so he's already had his feet wet in PAC-10 football. The safeties look OK at this point, with Mesphin Forrester and Jason Wells the likely starters. But behind them, it's hard to really know. Willingham made mention earlier in the spring, but some of the key backups seen for the secondary aren't yet on campus, members of the February 2007 signing class. Let's just say health is a concern for the secondary, as the known quantities behind the starters are a complete unknown at this point.

• What's up with that schedule?

Ok, this obviously didn't change with spring ball. The schedule still looks completely daunting, as Molly Yanity at the P-I says, one of the toughest in America for 2007. So we'll focus on something else here.

• How about the replacements in the kicking game?

Ah, yes, the kicking game. Last year's starting kicker, Michael Braunstein, and starting punter, Sean Douglas, are both gone. Braunstein transferred to Ohio, while Douglas graduated. In their place are Jared Ballman, Ryan Perkins and true frosh Nick Folk. All are unproven, and Perkins didn't do anything this spring as he's coming off a serious knee injury. The even worse news is that Ballman really didn't have a very good spring. The job of punter and kicker are completely wide-open, and all three players will compete until the end.

Now, there were some positives. The WR's look to be a deeper, more talented group, as Marcel Reece and especially Corey Williams had big springs. Both will be seniors next year, and along with Anthony Russo and Cody Ellis, that's a pretty strong four-man group. There may be some other surprises, but overall the pass catchers look good.

The running back position doesn't look particularly deep, but starter Louis Rankin erased all doubts as to who should be the man next year. J.R. Hasty struggled at times, but to be fair he worked with the 2nd-team offensive line, which often times had him basically "dodging the avalanche" as soon as he touched the ball per one long-time Husky observer. Hard to get a good read on where Hasty is at this point, but he's done enough to warrant carries as the backup to Rankin next year.

Defensively, outside of the secondary things look good. The defensive line has a lot of experience back, and should be the deepest position on the team. The young linebackers look good, particularly E.J. Savannah, if he can stay healthy, and rising inside 'backer Donald Butler.

Overall this will be an interesting team to watch this fall, and even though some things were sorted out this spring, there's still some major heavy-lifting ahead.

Previously in the FanHouse:

Spring Practice Questions: Washington Husky Edition

Husky Punters Have Big Shoes to Fill

UW's Gunheim Seeks Happy Ending

UW D Ahead of the O in Controlled Scrimmage

Several Positions on Husky Defense Up For Grabs

Major Work Ahead as Huskies Wrap Up Spring Ball originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On a day that many anticipated when you consider Tyrone Willingham went exclusively with the starters against backups on both sides of the ball, the purple crushed the gold 44-7 as spring ball wrapped up at Washington.

The QB situation is the one everyone is focused on, and once again, it appears Carl Bonnell has made up more ground on "Montlake Jake" Locker. Bonnell didn't exactly put on an aerial circus, throwing for 127 yards against the backups, but he did toss three TD's as the purple rolled to a 28-0 first half lead. Locker was an ordinary four-for-eight passing and netted just 38 yards, with one TD and one interception.

So is UW's soap opera QB drama, one that was thought to be canceled even before spring began, suddenly back on? Even though it's closer than ever, according to offensive coordinator Tim Lappano in today's Times, Locker is still the starter:

Washington offensive coordinator Tim Lappano, however, said "the gap has closed. I think everybody can see that. How much is between us [UW's coaches]. But Carl has kept this thing very competitive."

Willingham said the same thing, but was more definitive:

"Right now, I'm very comfortable with Jake as number one and Carl as number two," Willingham said.

So there you have it. While Bonnell has pushed hard in recent weeks, Locker is doing enough to be the starter.

Then again, it's just spring ball after all. Willingham told the Times that he estimates they used maybe "1/12th" of the playbook yesterday. And they also limited the kinds of plays that they expect Locker to make on a regular basis next fall, as they really didn't allow him to use his legs as much as his arm by not rolling him out or taking chances. This is a program that had their QB's beaten to a pulp last year, as Isaiah Stanback, Carl Bonnell and Johnny DuRocher all went down with various injuries in 2006. The last thing this program needs is an injury at a position so vital to the team's success.

Some other highlights from yesterday:

• WR Marcel Reece had a big day (pictured). Reece is an absolute load at WR, 6-3 and 240 pounds, but that's actually down from 269 last year. He scored a TD with each of his three catches yesterday and drew raves from the coaches, including Lappano.
• RB Louis Rankin finished off the spring with the same strong performance he's shown all along, totaling nearly 100 yards rushing on 16 carries. Rankin has erased all doubts about who the starter will be this fall with his best spring as a Husky.
• Other WR's were strong, including Corey Williams, who capped a fine spring with 73 yards receiving, and Cody Ellis, who caught four balls.
• Defensively, LB Donald Butler continues to look like a player, leading the team with eight tackles. Butler is a physical, active young linebacker that has a lot of coaches excited about his potential. Linebacker E.J. Savannah bounced back from a stinger to make an impact, picking off a pass and running it back 59 yards for a TD. And defensive tackle Jordan Reffett broke through for a sack in the end zone, good for a safety.

Previously in the FanHouse:

UW's Bonnell Not Going Quietly

Husky Spring Game Goal: Stay Healthy

UW QB Soap Opera Canceled Before Debut?

Purple Rolls Over Gold in UW Spring Game originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Husky Nation continues to anticipate the dawn of the Jake Locker era, there is one player lost in all the hype. Senior QB Carl Bonnell is still around, in case anyone forgot, and per the Seattle P-I's Jim Moore, Bonnell has shown some fight this spring. While many might think he would simply lay down following the news that Locker was going to be the starter and anticipated savior of the Husky football program, well, Bonnell had other ideas, turning in a relatively strong performance this spring despite recovering from a gruesome non-throwing shoulder injury. Offensive coordinator Tim Lappano sure sees good things out of Bonnell this spring:

"He has closed the gap," Lappano said. "I'm not trying to start a quarterback controversy, but I'm really pleased with the way Carl is throwing the football.

"He could have thrown in the towel and complained and moped around, but this is the strongest he's played since I've been here. He's made this thing a race."

Bonnell came off the bench last year in place of the injured Isaiah Stanback, and had some real up and down moments. Some games were exciting, including the O.T. loss at Cal where he threw for 284 yards, but it's hard to overlook that Bonnell also threw a season-high five interceptions in that game. But there were some real lowlights as well, as Bonnell also struggled mightily against the Stanford Cardinal, a game UW lost despite being a 19-point favorite and could generate only three points for the game, a game many pegged as one of the lowest points in the modern history of the program. However even though he took a beating that week, he still scraped himself together and rallied the following week by throwing for 271 yards in the Huskies 35-32 win over in-state rival WSU in the Apple Cup.

Overall, Bonnell's up-and-down games last year are basically the player in a nutshell. Some real high moments surrounded by bouts of inconsistency. As a fifth-year senior, Willingham basically had this decision to make - do I go with the inconsistent yet experienced guy, a guy we absolutely know what he's capable of? Or do we play the redshirt frosh that, while he hasn't yet taken a snap in a game, has an upside that just hasn't been seen at UW at QB? A QB in Locker that can bench press 330 pounds, squat 475 and reportedly ran a 4.4 in the 40?? A QB in Locker that people just can't stop raving about, comparing him to not only the great Marques Tuiasosopo but also whispers of John Elway??

As much as Bonnell might not like it, when you factor in all the variables as well as thinking of the immediate future of the program, the answer is pretty clear. You go with the youngster, all the while knowing that if disaster happens and Locker either suffers an injury or simply can't handle being a starting QB in the PAC-10, you have an experienced senior QB waiting in the wings. It's a no-lose situation for Willingham, and I don't think many people outside of Bonnell can second guess the situation. And, I have to hand it to Jim Moore, who perfectly sums up the idea of a QB controversy:

If this is a race, then Jeff Weaver's a Cy Young candidate. At Bonnell's expense, let the Jake Locker Era begin.

Previously in the Fanhouse:

UW QB Soap Opera Cancelled Before it Begins?

Spring Practice Questions: Washington Husky Edition

UW's Bonnell Not Going Quietly originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 08:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Husky spring practice coming down the stretch, the defensive buzz has been all about the line. A lot of talent and experience could see at least eight different players in the regular rotation, and the defensive front is clearly a strength of the UW defense.

The secondary, well, not so much. In fact, things are so thin back there that several walk-ons have been getting extended looks this spring. Only eight defensive backs are participating in spring practice as the Husky secondary has been depleted due to graduation, transfer or injury along the way. To only have six scholarship players in the secondary is a pretty big concern.

One key player should be safety Mesphin Forrester (pictured). Forrester was second on the team with two interceptions in 2006, and logged 30 tackles along the way as a sophomore. He'll be expected to be a front-line player in 2007, one with experience that will be looked upon for leadership for a young unit that needs to grow up fast in the pass-happy PAC-10.

At least they appear to be getting coached up. Per Molly Yanity of the P-I, secondary coach J.D. Williams is going the extra mile in teaching technique to the backs, but as senior corner Roy Lewis says, it's still a work in progress:

"He teaches us fundamentals, but it's the concepts he stresses, and we need to be smarter football players," said Lewis, a senior. "It's really just a matter of getting smart and getting our hands on some footballs."

We reported on Lewis last week and how he'll be an anchor in the secondary as a senior starting cornerback, but the starter on the other side is still unknown. Recruit Byron Davenport, a player who actually played at UCLA as a true frosh in 2004 before transferring, will be firmly in the mix, but it will still be an open slot to be filled this fall.

Some other news-n-notes from Tuesday's practice:

• Corey Williams continues his rebirth with a strong spring, catching everything in sight and next to running back Louis Rankin, he's probably been the best offensive player this spring. We covered Williams last week and how he's setting himself up for a very big senior year.
• Injuries were a bit of a concern, as starting guard Casey Bulyca and starting defensive lineman Wilson Afoa both sat out Tuesday. Bulyca hurt his foot, and while he dressed, he didn't practice. Afoa suffered a shoulder injury, but it doesn't sound serious. No word if either player will give it a go for Saturday's scrimmage, but if Willigham's stated goal of staying healthy is the priority, if they even play at all I'd expect to see them in very limited action.

Previously in the FanHouse:

UW's Corey Williams Finally Putting it All Together?

Several Defensive Positions Still Up For Grabs

Husky Spring Game Goal: Stay Healthy

Husky Defensive Backs Still a Work in Progress originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 07:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As injuries around the UW program continue to linger, head coach Ty Willingham is already adjusting his goals for the upcoming annual spring game.

"The number one thing is to come out of the game healthy," he said. "If we achieve that, then I'm in pretty good shape."

He's got a good point. Injuries to the running back position have basically limited UW to two healthy players at that spot in Louis Rankin and J.R. Hasty. While Willingham has high hopes for the plethora of running backs in this year's recruiting class, having just two healthy players back there right now is a major concern in full-contact scrimmage situations. The receivers are pretty dinged up too, with seniors Anthony Russo (pictured) and Quentin Daniels both remaining out indefinitely and will both likely miss the spring game.

Willingham's goal isn't unusual. In fact it's the same for every coach in America. While traditional scrimmages are good at getting reps in game-like situations for starters and backups alike, you still hate the idea of your own players hammering on each other to the point that guys break down. At least the game will be a chance for the fan who is dying to see young QB prospect Jake Locker do more than hold a clipboard.

Meanwhile, Molly Yanity of the P-I answers some open questions about the team. One thing that looks like a concern in her eyes is the lack of speed on the Husky defense. The D-line is experienced and should be deep this year, but the overall speed could be a liability.

The secondary is going to be a big question mark as well, as Ted Miller also writes in the P-I. They haven't been very good the last few years anyway, but replacing senior starters Dashon Goldson and C.J. Wallace will be difficult enough. That said, the d-line being so deep and experienced this year could really provide a boost for the secondary, as the more pressure they can get, the less the opposing QB can set up and make their reads, etc. It's really a trickle-down effect, and a strong pass rush can really help mask weaknesses in the secondary.

Husky Spring Game Goal: Stay Healthy originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 07:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It was basically more of the same yesterday as UW now has spring scrimmage number two in the books. More of the same as in more of the same inconsistency that the Husky offense has shown thus far, more than anything else. That was Ty Willingham's assessment yesterday when asked about being consistent:

"That's it," Willingham said. "That's the word for this team. Obviously we're not there yet, but that's what we're seeking."

The one theme we keep hearing is that QB Jake Locker hasn't been sharp this spring. Even though the stats were unofficial, by Times beat writer Bob Condotta's tally, Locker missed on seven of his first 11 passes, but rallied to finish 10 out of his last 17 with a couple of touchdowns. His final numbers were 14-for-28 for 173 yards and two TD's. Not all-conference numbers to be sure, but not too bad either considering it's just the second scrimmage of spring. The down note is that all accounts had Locker sailing some passes high in the early going, and alluded to an issue he's had all spring with his footwork being the main reason. However Locker did show off his wheels yet again, gaining 43 yards on nine carries as he continues to show he'll be a legit dual threat from the QB position this year.

The best performer on offense yesterday continues to be maybe the best offensive player of the spring so far, as RB Louis Rankin had 90 yards on just 11 carries, including a 55-yard TD run. Rankin also had a 29-yard TD catch as he has improved in his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Rankin totaled only 13 catches last year, but that was still good for fourth on the team. We've said it before, but consistency is the only thing separating Rankin for a big senior season.

Another highlight would be the continued good play out of senior WR Corey Williams, who made some impressive catches, including a 35-yarder and a 4-yard TD catch from backup QB Carl Bonnell. Williams totaled four balls for a team-high 57 yards on the day.

Now for some of the low-lights:

• E.J. Savannah, the rising young linebacker that settled in at #1 on the depth chart with a fine spring so far, was held out of action due to a stinger. While the TNT's Don Ruiz reports that the injury is unrelated to the neck and shoulder issues that have plagued Savannah over the last few years, still, Willingham isn't taking any chances with Savannah and the team will continue to be careful here.
• Running back J.R. Hasty struggled again, netting only 10 yards on eight carries. Granted Hasty worked only with the second-string offense against the first-string defense, but still, it seems as everyone is just kind of waiting for Hasty to have that breakthrough moment that shows why everyone has been so high on his abilities since he was a blue-chip prospect out of Bellevue High School. Hasty admitted in the Times that he was a little rusty and wasn't hitting the holes like he knows he can, but still hopes for a big spring game finale next Saturday.

The bottom line to analyzing a scrimmage? You don't want to over-think things at this point. They are in the home stretch now, with 10 of their 15 total practices now complete, and like Oregon State hitting "the wall" from the other day, you might start to see some of the practices look a little ragged as things wind down. And, while some of the offensive struggles might be a concern, well, that can also be looked at as the defense is playing really well. So it's almost a double-edged approach, where one side of the ball outperforms the other isn't exactly a bad thing at the end of the day.

Previously in the FanHouse:

Corey Williams Finally Putting it Together?

Husky D ahead of the O in First Spring Scrimmage

Huskies Still Looking for Consistency After Second Spring Scrimmage originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 10:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It seems like forever since Corey Williams made a big play for UW. His memorable TD catch as a frosh in the Apple Cup (pictured) was a spectacular play that is an all-time Husky moment in the series, as UW rallied to upset their 9th ranked in-state rivals that November evening in 2003. The future seemed amazingly bright for a talented receiver with good size (6-2, 190) and who showed flashes of brilliance, highlighted by that TD catch to put UW ahead for good.

But what's he done since then? Not much. The Husky coaching staff has been completely overhauled since his shining moment in '03, and Williams has been a player that just hasn't lived up to the expectations that began with so much hope. Is it his fault? Not entirely, as health always has something to do with it. He's battled nagging injuries since a fractured wrist at Notre Dame in 2004, and has had several other nicks and dings his whole time at UW.

However, this spring has been a different story. To the point that offensive coordinator Tim Lappano told Molly Yanity of the P-I that Corey Williams has been the pleasant surprise of spring ball thus far:

"He's making a lot of plays," Lappano said. "He's playing with a lot more confidence and he should. He's been in the system and is showing it. But he's been the surprise of the offense. He has been awesome."

Pretty high praise for a player that honestly hasn't shown much. Is this his final breakthrough moment as a 5th-year senior? Or will he revert back to being the player he's always been, battling inconsistency and developing more nagging injuries that keep him off the field? It's hard to think that he'll suddenly become an all-conference wideout when the previous body of work doesn't really show a whole lot other than a ton of potential, but Williams has always been an intriguing blend of size and athleticism at the WR position. With the loss of senior WR's Sonny Shackelford and Quentin Daniels, Williams could be an integral part of the UW passing game in 2007. As a 5th-year senior, it's now or never time for Williams.

UW's Corey Williams Finally Putting it Together? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 12:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As spring ball hits the halfway point for UW, there are many positions still up for grabs, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. E.J. Savannah made some headlines today, as he is now listed as the #1 guy at weakside linebacker, passing the starter heading into spring, Chris Stevens, on the depth chart. We touched on Savannah earlier this spring, and how Willingham was looking for more out of the young linebacker. Sure enough, his spring has catapulted him up the depth chart.

Today's Seattle Times has a feature on the defensive positions not yet settled. While backups are sought at defensive tackle, the biggest questions remain in the secondary. Roy Lewis (pictured) is a likely starter at one corner, but the starter on the other side still appears to be an open issue. Willingham alluded to the openings in the secondary yesterday:

"The real competition, especially at probably two of the four positions, is yet to come," Willingham said. "The real competition arrives in the fall."

Lewis is an intriguing player. He registered 66 tackles last year, a pretty high number for a corner, and is set up for a big senior year. He initially played at San Jose State and started a handful of games as a true frosh in 2003, and then transferred to UW the following year. In 2005 he was voted the most improved defensive player on the team, where he had 47 tackles while starting 7 games. With the loss of Dashon Goldson and C.J. Wallace in the secondary, Lewis is going to be a key figure in the secondary next season.

Other news-n-notes of interest:

• Molly Yanity at the P-I reports on the move by Savannah over Chris Stevens at weakside linebacker. One issue highlighted here is the inability of Stevens to keep his weight up. Stevens is a speed player in every way, regarded as the fastest linebacker on the team, but doesn't have the bulk that Savannah brings to the table. Stevens has been hovering around 210 lbs, while Savannah checks in at a stout 230.
• The Tribune touches on some injury issues, including wideouts Anthony Russo and Quentin Daniels who continue to be held out of action. Russo and Daniels are two of the most experienced players at the position and will be extremely important in the passing game this fall, so holding them out now as a precaution is probably a good idea.
• Finally, bowl games from 2006? Same in 2007. All 32 bowls from last year will return next year, leaving a whopping 64 open slots for teams that win at least 6 games (unless you are WSU or Arizona, both Pac-10 teams that won 6 games last year yet watched the games on TV with you and me). Hooray bowls!

Previously in the FanHouse:

Willingham Needs Juice from Savannah

Spring Practice Questions: Washington Husky Edition

Several Positions on Husky Defense Still Up For Grabs originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's big, and then there's UW offensive line big. As in 6-6, 370-pound-big. That's Morgan Rosborough, a UW sophomore firmly in the running for a vacant guard spot on the U-Dub offensive line as spring ball continues in Seattle. The man they call House (and not because of his resemblance to TV's Hugh Laurie), Rosborough is big at 370 pounds, but those 370 pounds are actually 30 less than where he used to be. That's right, Rosborough was a 400-pounder when he met Ty Willingham, but a scholarship offer wasn't exactly waiting when the coach first met him face-to-face:

"When (Willingham) recruited me and I came up for my visit, I was 400 pounds," Rosborough said. "He told me I had to commit myself to football and to losing weight before he would put any offer on the table."

Through hard work of extra cardio and a stricter diet, Rosborough now weighs in at a lighter, quicker version of himself at 370. And, at the other potential guard position, Casey Bulyca seems a smallish 340 pounds. Combined, per Molly Yanity at the P-I, they are potentially the biggest guard combo in the Pac-10, and probably in the entire country.

At this point, size is probably a good thing for the Husky line. One would expect that once the season gets rolling, UW is going to probably emphasize the running game early on and hope to keep the heat of young Jake Locker at QB. No matter how talented Locker truly is, you still have to have it in your mind that the young QB hasn't taken a collegiate snap yet. With the schedule in the first part of the season looking about as daunting as it's been in recent Husky history, getting the ground game going right out of the chute can only benefit the entire team. Having a couple of super-sized interior lineman to push the pile around and wail on some smaller defensive tackles, well, all the better!

Some other points of interest today:

1. Tuesday's practice was open to the media, and Molly at the P-I gave her observations. Among the highlights included a couple of impressive sacks by defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim. Te'o-Nesheim (pictured) is a tightly-wound 6-4, 245 lbs of muscle and quickness who logged 35 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss last year. He should team with Greyson Gunheim as one of the best defensive end duo's in the Pac-10 next year.
2. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times also weighs in on the large offensive line that the Huskies will feature this year. More than just size, however, Condotta points out that none of the guard candidates has started a game at UW. In fact, only Casey Bulyca has even seen the field in limited duty, as three out of five UW offensive linemen played every snap in 2006.
3. Finally, the TNT's Don Ruiz had a quick rundown of Tuesday's practice, including a tidbit that Locker was a bit erratic with his accuracy. However Locker did produce the biggest play of the day, hooking up with WR Marcel Reece on a 79-yard TD pass.

Willingham Loves His Linemen Super-Sized originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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College Eye for the NFL Guy: Isaiah Stanback originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 23:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the buzz is still in full swing regarding Jake Locker, the young QB showed some inconsistency in UW's first scrimmage of the 2007 spring. Locker was just 8-for-19 for 66 yards, but the word "controlled" must be highlighed here, because this wasn't a full-on game scrimmage. The Husky offense worked in scripted situations, including red-zone offensive plays, and of course the QB's were off-limits to full contact. Carl Bonnell wasn't much better than Locker, just 7-for-17 for 86 yards, but did have the longest offensive play of the game on a 41-yard hookup with TE Michael Gottlieb. But as coach Willingham said, the offensive struggles isn't exactly a surprise at this point of the spring:

"Usually the defense is a little ahead right now, what with being able to stunt and blitz and do some things, and the offense is not quite accustomed to that," Willingham said.

One offensive highlight was starting running back Louis Rankin, churning out 63 yards including a couple of long runs, one for 24 yards and another for 18. Rankin has showed quite a bit of upside over the last few years, where it looks like only a little more consistency is all that separates him from being a 1,000-yard running back for UW. Backup J.R. Hasty didn't do a whole lot, 19 yards on 8 carries running behind the backup offensive line, but that situation should improve as things move forward.

Basically this scrimmage is the starting point of where the coaches and players will look for improvement as the spring grinds on. You never want to read too much into practice or scrimmage situations, and the bottom line is things went pretty much like the coaches expected at this stage.

Husky Defense Ahead of The O in Controlled Scrimmage originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 15 Apr 2007 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spring ball wrapped up for WSU with a scrimmage yesterday that, to be kind, wasn't exactly full of offensive fireworks. Best of all, nobody was carried off on a stretcher, per head coach Bill Doba:

"I didn't see anybody get carried off the field, nobody got hurt," said relieved coach Bill Doba when the intentionally short 53-minute scrimmage had ended.

QB Alex Brink was 7-for-12 for 67 yards and a nice 39-yard TD pass to Brandon Gibson, but otherwise was unspectacular. In fact, his 6 other completions covered only 28 yards, or less than 5 yards per completion. WSU has been specializing in the short passing game the last few years, taking advantage of Brink's accuracy underneath vs. full-blown power on the deep ball, and it appears not much is going to change in that department. Brink is what he is at this point in his career, so you can't suddenly expect a massive overhaul heading into his senior year.

But so much for the QB controversy, if it wasn't a little misguided from the beginning (including from yours truly!). Gary Rogers was just 1-for-9 for 7 yards passing yesterday, basically putting to bed any talk of a potential QB situation brewing into fall camp. Rogers was reportedly victimized by three dropped balls, but still, 7 yards passing? Not exactly seizing the day.

The defense showed improvement, particularly the linebackers in Cory Evans and Andy Mattingly. Those guys will be in the mix with Jason Stripling to form a strong, athletic group at outside linebacker next season, and could be the start of something special going forward.

For more, check out the link for a video recap from Spokane's KXLY:

http://www.spokanetogo.com/news-video/?mgid=5496

Previously on the FanHouse:

WSU's Gary Rogers Making Case for Starting QB?

Doba's Radar Locked on Linebackers

Corners Key to Doba's D

WSU Spring Ball Wrap: At Least Nobody Was Carried Off the Field originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today's News Tribune has some early spring thoughts from head coach Tyrone Willingham, and the name of linebacker E.J. Savannah brought out some things that the Huskies will need in the middle this fall:

"We want to see if he can really grow, become even better, and stay healthy and be that kind of electric linebacker that we thought. That was one of the things I saw from him in high school: When he hit people it was kind of electric ­- balls and body parts just seemed to go flying in different directions. That's a great thing to have because we've got to be a defensive football team that starts to create some turnovers."

Today's Seattle P-I notebook also leads with Savannah, a player that could be a huge key for the Husky defense. While Savannah is currently listed as a backup to LB Chris Stevens, he's going to get extended playing time this fall. However the proverbial question on Savannah is if he can stay healthy.

Savannah has battled neck and shoulder injuries, dating all the way back to his days at Bellevue High School. A top-50 linebacker coming out of high school, the sophomore-to-be impressed coaches early on, and many pegged him for potential stardom. As Willingham stated, balls and body parts seem to fly in different directions when Savannah arrives on the scene, something the Husky defense will certainly need this fall.

Ty Willingham Needs Juice From E.J. Savannah originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 14 Apr 2007 10:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been a strange, up-and-down time at UW for defensive end Greyson Gunheim. The lock to start at defensive end for his last season at Montlake next fall, Gunheim has seen it all at UW. A brutal 1-win season in 2004, a season in which he garnered Sporting News All-Pac-10 Freshman team honors, a 2005 season that saw major growth issues under new coach Ty Willingham, and then 2006, a year that saw the team on the cusp of bowl-eligibility as major improvement was shown across the board.

But like the 2006 Husky football team that started 4-1 yet finished at 5-7, Gunheim started strong, and faded badly down the stretch, including losing his starting job in the 8th game of the season. A knee injury was part of the deal, but one of the biggest problems for Gunheim has been a propensity to drop weight. Naturally lean with a "long torso", keeping the bulk on Gunheim's 6-5, 265-lb frame has been tough since he first arrived in 2004, and last year was no exception. Gunheim's biggest weapon is his speed and quickness off the edge, plus a motor that never quits. But confidence really hampered him last year when he was benched for the Cal game, as Molly Yanity in today's P-I reports:

"I was mad at myself. I had to think, 'What's wrong with me? What's going on?' " he said.

But the best news of all for Husky fans is that Gunheim, physically and mentally, has come to spring ball with a renewed focus. The article mentions that his workout buddy, Jordan Reffert, says Gunheim is in the best shape of his life, and Willingham praises him for the work he's already done this offseason. No doubt the idea of this being his last shot has him on the edge of a big senior year.

UW's Gunheim Seeks Happy Ending originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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