Everett, Wash.
Published: Sunday, November 11, 2007

Huskies' loss to Beavers has a bright side

Sent to the hospital after a serious injury earlier in the game, Husky quarterback Jake Locker returns to Reser Stadium only to see a late UW comeback fall short.

By John Boyle
Herald Writer

 CORVALLIS, Ore. -- As the final minutes of a Washington loss ticked off the clock Saturday night, the Huskies had a feel-good moment that took some sting out of a 29-23 defeat to Oregon State.

Quarterback Jake Locker, who earlier in the evening left Reser Stadium in an ambulance, walked back onto the Washington sideline wearing a neck brace, receiving a standing ovation from the Oregon State crowd.

Locker was injured on a second-quarter run, and left the field in an ambulance after being strapped to a back board and placed on a stretcher.

Trailing 13-0 at the time, the Huskies fell behind by another field goal before halftime, and their second-half comeback effort came up short.

Locker was attempting to gain a first down on third-and-6 when he took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Oregon State safety Al Afalava. Locker ducked his head just before Afalava came in for the tackle.

Locker went down in front of the Husky bench and stayed on the ground for about 15 minutes before being put on a stretcher and leaving in an ambulance. Locker's facemask was removed from his helmet before he was taken from the field.

Immediate reports from the sideline were that Locker had movement in his extremities, but that there was concern of a neck injury. Locker's parents, Scott and Anita, were on the sideline as doctors tended to their son, and Anita rode with Locker in the ambulance to Corvallis' Good Samaritan Hospital.

Locker was 6-for-14 passing for 16 yards, and had six carries for 16 yards having lost 25 on sacks.

This is the second straight year Washington has lost its quarterback to injury against the Beavers. In last year's meeting, Isaiah Stanback suffered a season-ending foot injury on a running play. Oregon State's win was the fourth straight over Washington, something the Beavers have never done in the history of the series. As has been the case in the previous three wins, Oregon State kicker Alexis Serna played a big role in the win. Serna made all five of his field goal attempt, making him 18 for 18 against Washington in his career.

To their credit, the Huskies continued to battle despite the loss of Locker.

The Washington defense came up with two turnovers early in the third quarter that led to a field goal and a touchdown, making the score 16-10. The Beavers answered, however, with a Serna field goal, his fifth of the game, and after a Louis Rankin fumble, a touchdown to make it 26-10. Washington responded with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Carl Bonnell to Anthony Russo and an 86-yard pass to Cody Ellis that made the score 29-23.

Oregon Sate drove deep into Washington territory, and looked to have the game put away until a questionable call gave Washington one final chance. As Yvenson Bernard dove for what would have been a clinching touchdown with just under three minutes left in the game, the ball came loose and was ruled a fumble. Roy Lewis picked up the ball and returned it to the Washington 38. Replays seemed to show that Bernard was down, but the play was not reviewed before the Huskies got off a play.

The Huskies drove to Oregon State's 29, but turned the ball over on downs on fourth-and-2.

Emotions were obviously high after Locker left the game, as scuffles broke out on several plays, resulting in the ejection of Washington's Ryan Tolar, as well as three Oregon State players.

Contact Herald Writer John Boyle at jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more on University of Washington sports, check out the Huskies blog at heraldnet.com/huskiesblog
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