Published: Friday, November 6, 2009
Locker to start against UCLA
SEATTLE — From the time he got to the University of Washington, quarterback Jake Locker has been impressing onlookers with his running ability.
On Thursday, his legs won over his head coach.
UW coach Steve Sarkisian pronounced Locker ready to start Saturday’s game at UCLA after seeing him run at full speed for the first time all week.
“He ran really well,” Sarkisian said after Thursday’s practice. “I was really, really impressed. ... I expect him to play.”
Locker has been nursing a deep thigh bruise that he suffered in the Oct. 24 loss to Oregon. The injury limited Locker in practices over the past 10 days, but Sarkisian wanted to let him open up and run Thursday before making a decision on his availability.
“I wanted to see him run full speed,” Sarkisian said after Thursday’s session. “I wanted to see him really open up and go full speed, and he was able to do that.”
Locker is not available to the media on Thursdays. He said earlier this week that he expected to play against the Bruins, but on Monday his status was “questionable,” according to Sarkisian.
The head coach looked visibly relieved on Thursday, when he announced that Locker would be able to play.
“It’s stability,” Sarkisian said. “It’s great to have your starting quarterback. ... There are some obvious leadership skills that he brings that I know the team feeds off of.”
Locker has not missed a game this season. His main backup is sophomore Ronnie Fouch, who went 0-8 as a starter last season.
Notes
Sarkisian said that two starters would not travel this weekend. Defensive tackle Cameron Elisara (neck stinger) and linebacker E.J. Savannah (broken thumb) will stay behind in Seattle, as will reserve linebacker Jordan Wallace (strained knee). Backup offensive lineman Mykenna Ikehara (knee soreness) and wide receiver Jordan Polk (minor knee surgery will make the trip. ... The Huskies could have as many as three new starters on defense this week. Cort Dennison will start in place of Savannah, and freshman Andru Pulu looks ready to start at defensive end while Daniel T’eo-Nesheim moves inside. Senior Jason Wells could get his first start of the season at safety, although Sarkisian said he had yet to decide whether Wells or true freshman Nate Fellner would start. The Huskies have already used eight different starting lineups on defense this season. ... While two of Sarkisian’s sisters attended UCLA, he said Thursday that his family will undoubtedly be rooting for the Huskies on Saturday. When it was pointed out to him that he had some Bruins in his family, he joked: “Just on a piece of paper, not at heart.”
On Thursday, his legs won over his head coach.
UW coach Steve Sarkisian pronounced Locker ready to start Saturday’s game at UCLA after seeing him run at full speed for the first time all week.
“He ran really well,” Sarkisian said after Thursday’s practice. “I was really, really impressed. ... I expect him to play.”
Locker has been nursing a deep thigh bruise that he suffered in the Oct. 24 loss to Oregon. The injury limited Locker in practices over the past 10 days, but Sarkisian wanted to let him open up and run Thursday before making a decision on his availability.
“I wanted to see him run full speed,” Sarkisian said after Thursday’s session. “I wanted to see him really open up and go full speed, and he was able to do that.”
Locker is not available to the media on Thursdays. He said earlier this week that he expected to play against the Bruins, but on Monday his status was “questionable,” according to Sarkisian.
The head coach looked visibly relieved on Thursday, when he announced that Locker would be able to play.
“It’s stability,” Sarkisian said. “It’s great to have your starting quarterback. ... There are some obvious leadership skills that he brings that I know the team feeds off of.”
Locker has not missed a game this season. His main backup is sophomore Ronnie Fouch, who went 0-8 as a starter last season.
Notes
Sarkisian said that two starters would not travel this weekend. Defensive tackle Cameron Elisara (neck stinger) and linebacker E.J. Savannah (broken thumb) will stay behind in Seattle, as will reserve linebacker Jordan Wallace (strained knee). Backup offensive lineman Mykenna Ikehara (knee soreness) and wide receiver Jordan Polk (minor knee surgery will make the trip. ... The Huskies could have as many as three new starters on defense this week. Cort Dennison will start in place of Savannah, and freshman Andru Pulu looks ready to start at defensive end while Daniel T’eo-Nesheim moves inside. Senior Jason Wells could get his first start of the season at safety, although Sarkisian said he had yet to decide whether Wells or true freshman Nate Fellner would start. The Huskies have already used eight different starting lineups on defense this season. ... While two of Sarkisian’s sisters attended UCLA, he said Thursday that his family will undoubtedly be rooting for the Huskies on Saturday. When it was pointed out to him that he had some Bruins in his family, he joked: “Just on a piece of paper, not at heart.”
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