Locker runs unstoppable UW offense

Published 12:25 am Saturday, September 1, 2007

SYRACUSE, N.Y. The Jake Locker era at Washington officially began with an incomplete pass on Washington’s first play from scrimmage. His first run was a one-yard loss, and he completed only one of his first four passes.

Once he got going, however, it was better than just about anyone could have imagined.

After a pair of three-and outs to start the game, the phenom from Ferndale, as well as the rest of the Washington offense, was as unstoppable as the UW defense was stingy, and the rout was on.

Locker completed 13 of his next 14 passes, and ran for a pair of touchdowns to help the Huskies to an impressive 42-12 victory over Syracuse Friday night. The 30-point margin marked the most lopsided win of coach Tyrone Willingham’s tenure at Washington.

By the end of the third quarter, a good percentage of the 40,329 in attendance at the Carrier Dome were headed for the exits.

“I really had no idea what to expect, just because I had never played at this level,” Locker said of his debut. “So I went into the game today just setting out to do the best I could. I felt comfortable, I felt like I was ready to play.”

After those first two possessions, the Huskies scored touchdowns on five of their next six possessions, and the one time they didn’t was after getting the ball with 14 seconds remaining in the first half. Washington scored on drives of 80, 80, 70, 70, and 80 yards.

Locker finished the game 14 for 19 for 142 yards and no interceptions, while rushing for 83 yards and two scores on 10 carries. Those numbers were compiled in three quarters of play. Backup quarterback Carl Bonnell came in to guide Washington in the fourth quarter.

“I thought he’d be able to do this once he settled in,” offensive coordinator and quarterback’s coach Tim Lappano said of Locker. “I thought he threw the ball well, I thought he made good decisions and I thought he executed the offense really well for his first go.”

So, is that all it takes to make the transition to college quarterback? Two drives? To put it in some perspective, Syracuse was one of the worst defenses in college football last year. But even though the Huskies are sure to see better defenses in upcoming games, Lappano thinks Locker is far from a finished product.

“He’s going to get nothing but better,” said Lappano, who added that he has never seen a quarterback make a debut like Locker’s. “That’s not the best Jake Locker will play this year. He’s going to get better every week.”

Not to be overlooked in all the Locker hoopla was an impressive outing by Louis Rankin. The senior tailback finished with a career high 147 yards on 17 carries, and scored on runs of 13, 47 and 20 yards. Like Locker, Rankin sat out the fourth quarter.

“I don’t think Syracuse knew what to expect from us and from the skill level of our guys,” said Willingham. “I don’t think they knew, I don’t think they could anticipate that, because this is probably the most speed we’ve had on the field in three years.”

The defense also was impressive, holding the Orange to negative seven rushing yards through three quarters. Syracuse quarterback Andrew Robinson was a solid 20 for 32 for 199 yards, but never beat the Huskies deep, which, considering that freshman Vonzell McDowell Jr. was starting at one cornerback spot, was something of a victory for the Huskies.

Washington’s defense came up with seven sacks, did not allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter, and allowed just 207 yards of offense. The Huskies’ offense, on the other hand, had 444 total yards, highlighted by 302 yards of rushing. Washington’s 23 first downs were 10 more than Syracuse’s total.

So was it better than you could have imagined, coach?

“I always imagine days like that,” Willingham said. “They don’t always come true, but I always imagine things like that.”