Huskies regroup with heavy hearts

  • JOHN SLEEPER / Herald Writer
  • Monday, October 30, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

By JOHN SLEEPER

Herald Writer

SEATTLE – Two days after they watched an ambulance rush their semiconscious teammate to a hospital with a spinal cord injury, the Washington Huskies players set out Monday to resume what could be a special season.

While senior strong safety Curtis Williams lies sedated in the intensive care unit at Stanford Medical Center, his prospects for living a normal life unknown, the eighth-ranked Huskies are turning to their game Saturday against Arizona.

They’re doing it because they have to.

“The significance of the game seems so small right now,” UW fullback Pat Conniff said. “But it’s what we do. It’s our job. And everybody here knows that if it happened to anyone else, Curtis would be saying the same thing and wanting us to perform.

“You can’t call a timeout on the season. You’ve just got to keep battling.”

Williams’ prognosis is uncertain. On Saturday, he sustained a cervical spine injury in a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cardinal tailback Kerry Carter and was transported to SMC. He remains under sedation and breathes with the aid of a ventilator.

The only certainty is that Williams will be at SMC for an extended period of time. Yet, life goes on. It has to.

The Huskies still are in contention for a Pacific-10 Conference title and a BCS bowl game at 4-1 in Pac-10 play, 7-1 overall. They have much to play for. The trick is to bear the heavy hearts they have for Williams enough to fully concentrate on the task at hand.

“That’s the goal, to make the season special,” Conniff said. “We talked about it before Curtis was hurt. I think it puts an exclamation mark on what we have to do.”

Understandably, the level of play the Huskies achieved before Williams was injured wasn’t the same afterward. Washington rolled up a 17-6 lead up to the point of Williams’ injury, with 2:01 left in the third quarter. The Huskies eventually built a 24-6 advantage with six minutes remaining in the game on Willie Hurst’s 22-yard run.

That, UW linebacker Derrell Daniels theorized, was when the UW defense’s concentration turned to what Williams must have been going through. Stanford scored three touchdowns in 41/2 stunning minutes and took a 28-24 advantage.

“I was trying to get my own thoughts to where they needed to be,” Daniels said. “It was really hard after that. I know, myself, there were a couple plays where I was supposed to do something and I didn’t do it because my mind was on Curtis. I just didn’t go at all a couple of times.”

Yet, somehow, Washington found a way to win. And they did it as they did in six of their seven victories – coming back from a deficit. UW coach Rick Neuheisel said it is that kind of character from which the players have to draw.

Neuheisel said he is encouraging his players to talk about Williams, to think about him, to pray for him.

“I don’t think you can ever say it’s not appropriate to talk about your friend,” Neuheisel said. “I don’t think he’ll ever be far from our thoughts. I also believe that it’s possible to care for your friend, to pray for your friend, to hope for the best and still concentrate on the task at hand. We’ve got to find that combination.”

To do that, Neuheisel is relying on his captains, the team leaders, to set a tone for practice this week in preparation for Arizona. One, nose tackle Larry Tripplett, said the team can draw strength from Williams.

“We have to get past it,” Tripplett said. “We’re going to have to come out here and have to be focused. Although it’s going to be difficult, we’re all fighters on this team and we’re going to keep fighting with everything that’s placed ahead of us. This is just another battle that we’re going to have to overcome.”

  • Arnold ailing: Sophomore tailback Paul Arnold, who did not make the Stanford trip because of a lingering sore back, is not listed on the depth chart and is questionable for Saturday’s game.

    Neuheisel said Arnold was to have been examined by a back specialist Monday.

    “My fear is the treatment is going to be rest,” Neuheisel said.

    Freshman Rich Alexis is listed as the starter, followed by Willie Hurst and Braxton Cleman. Cleman also is listed as the backup fullback, behind Conniff.

  • Neuheisel honored: Neuheisel is one of 10 coaches named semifinalists for Football News’ 2000 coach of the year award.

    Other semifinalists are Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech; Mike Bellotti of Oregon; Tommy Bowden of Clemson; Bob Davie of Notre Dame; Dennis Franchione of TCU; Lou Holtz of South Carolina; Gary Nord of UTEP; Bob Stoops of Oklahoma; and Randy Walker of Northwestern.

    Three finalists will be chosen Nov. 20. The winning coach will be announced Dec. 6.

  • Short routes: Saturday’s game will be televised on KOMO-TV, Channel 4. Keith Jackson, Tim Brant and Dean Blevins will describe the play … Tickets for the UW-Arizona game are available at $34 apiece. Call the Husky ticket office at 206-543-2210 … Redshirt freshman Chris Massey is listed as the starter at cornerback opposite Omare Lowe, ahead of Anthony Vontoure. Vontoure is nearly healed from a nagging turf toe problem. Massey, however, is bothered by a sore hip flexor … Arizona’s “Cactus Curtain” defense has allowed just four rushing touchdowns, and those came in two games – UCLA and Ohio State. The Wildcats lead the Pac-10 in rushing offense and are sixth in the nation at 76.8 yards a game.
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Sports

    Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
    The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

    Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

    X
    Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

    Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

    Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
    The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

    A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

    Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
    Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

    Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

    Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
    The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

    A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

    Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
    The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

    The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

    Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
    Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

    Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

    Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

    After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

    Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
    Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

    A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

    Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    ‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

    Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

    University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
    Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

    Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

    X
    Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

    Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.