Stanback Done

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, October 15, 2006

Washington coach Tyrone Willingham just said on his radio show that quarterback Isaiah Stanback would have surgery on his foot today and will miss the rest of the season. Stanback suffered significant ligament damage to his foot during a 24-yard run in Saturday’s loss to Oregon State. In Willingham’s weekly meeting with the press this afternoon, Willingham said he didn’t have any further information on Stanback, who had a battery of tests done Monday. But Stanback’s condition obviously became more clear in the few hours between the media lunch and his radio show. Willingham said Stanback’s long-term prognosis is good but that he would not be able to return for a bowl game should the Huskies get that far.

Obviously a huge blow for Washington, as Stanback may have been the single most important player to any team in the conference. And you obviously feel terrible for Stanback, who has worked extremely hard to make himself into a good quarterback and is the clear leader of this team. We’re going to learn a lot about the mettle of this team over the next few weeks, and next year’s quarterback situation is going to become real clear. This is Carl Bonnell’s chance to show that he can lead this team, and if not, will it be Jake Locker time?