Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008

Stanford's visit recalls Washington's 2006 nightmare

Huskies don't want history to repeat itself Saturday against the Cardinal

By John Boyle
Herald Writer

 SEATTLE -- The losses have come a lot more frequently than wins in recent years, but University of Washington football players keep insisting that things are different. That the culture of Husky football is changing.

This Saturday, with Stanford in town, the Huskies have a chance to prove it. And it's only fitting that this week's game, one that gives Washington a chance to prove the season is not lost, comes against the Cardinal.

Two years ago, a reeling Stanford team came to Seattle looking like a much-needed easy win for the Huskies. Sure Washington was struggling, having lost five in a row after a 4-1 start, but Stanford was 0-9 then and had lost 11 straight. Surely the Huskies could win that game, and with only the Apple Cup remaining, a 6-6 finish seemed possible.

Instead, the Huskies played one of their worst games in recent memory, losing 20-3 to Stanford -- the Cardinal's only win that season.

Stanford's 20 points matched the team's total from its previous five games combined. Freshman receiver Richard Sherman looked like an All-American, catching seven passes for 177 yards, including a 74-yard score. Sophomore safety Bo McNally had his only two interceptions of the year that day, returning one for a 49-yard touchdown.

"That game, that was a terrible game," said senior fullback Luke Kravitz. "It was embarrassing, really. At that point, there was building within our team a kind of an acceptance to the culture of losing. And it showed in that game more than ever. We were way better athletes and a way better team, so why did we lose, why were guys giving up?

"That was definitely one of those games that I can put my finger on as one of the worst games since I've been here."

Kravitz said this year's team won't bottom out against Stanford like the 2006 Huskies did when the Cardinal came to town.

"Stanford has a good team this year, but the attitude is definitely changed on our team," he said.

Kravitz said he and the other players who were around in 2006 certainly remember the Stanford debacle, but revenge is no longer a factor.

"That's too far in the past," he said.

Stanford center Alex Fletcher is one of many members of this year's Cardinal team that has fond memories of 2006. Having started that season with so many losses, he is also aware of the extra motivation that the Huskies will bring into this game.

"That was definitely emotional," Fletcher said. "We were 0-9, and to go up there win, it was obviously a big deal for our team morale. We've been on the losing end and it leaves a horrible taste in your mouth. They've lost three in a row to start the year, then had a bye, and you really want to get that losing taste out of your mouth, and the only way to do it is to play another game. So you know they've been eying this one, and they want to get back to winning."

Two years ago, a home loss to Stanford felt like rock bottom for the Huskies. On Saturday, Washington has no plans of letting history repeat itself.

"Now that they're back in our place, we need to show them how we play football up here, unlike what we did a couple of years ago," senior defensive tackle Johnie Kirton said.

Of note

Noble at practice: Freshman defensive tackle Craig Noble, who missed fall camp and Washington's first three games because he was academically ineligible, participated in his first practice Wednesday. Despite the fact that Noble has missed so much time, Willingham and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said they have not ruled out the possibility of him playing this season.

Polk goes under the knife: Freshman tailback Chris Polk, who tore his labrum against BYU, was scheduled to have surgery on the shoulder injury Wednesday. He is expected to miss the season and likely will be granted a medical redshirt since he played in just two games.

Saving a year: Freshman cornerback Anthony Gobern, who suffered a shoulder injury early in fall camp that required surgery, has left school in what Willingham said is a mutual decision. Gobern will re-enroll when winter quarter begins in January.

By enrolling after this season, Gobern will be a true freshman in 2009, rather than a redshirt freshman, which he would have been had he stayed in class and attended team functions.

Hawkins scholarship: Former walk-on receiver Charles Hawkins will be on scholarship again this season. Hawkins came to Washington as a walk-on from Graceland University in 2006 and earned a scholarship last season. It was renewed recently for the 2008 season. Former walk-on linebacker Joshua Gage had his one-year scholarship renewed earlier this fall.

New walk-ons: Now that classes have started, the Huskies can expand their roster and have added a few freshmen walk-ons: Jonathan Amosa, a 5-11, 206-pound linebacker from Seattle's Rainier Beach High School; Kevin Howe, a 6-1, 185-pound kicker from San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; and Gavin Silva, a 6-1, 245-pound offensive lineman from Kaneohe, Hawaii.

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
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA