Two days after the game, all the talk today was still about the unsportsmanlike conduct call on Jake Locker at the end of Saturday’s loss.
Locker got some laughs explaining the moment, saying:
“I didn’t even realize I’d done it at the time until I got to the sideline and hear the official saying that there was an unsportsmanlike penalty. I was like, ‘Man, who was that on? Somebody must have done something stupid.’ Then they said it was on number 10 and I was like, ‘Gosh, what I do?’”
Tyrone Willingham, who wasn’t very critical of the call Saturday, had stronger words today.
“I think we all know that was not the right call,” he said. “One of the major plays that we always talk about that exists in football is holding. You’ve heard the statement made that holding happens on every play and yet our officials use discretion there. The rulebooks are written for them to use discretion, and in this case, they did not do that. I think when they look back at it, they may try to define different wording with the rules so it allows them a little leeway. The proper judgment was not used. That was not the act of a young man taunting. That was not an unsportsmanlike act at all. It should have been viewed in its totality and not just isolated as the letter of the law.”
Told that the officials said they had no choice but to make the call, Willingham said, “I think it’s clear. They always have a choice.”
On to some other notes:
Willingham said that Washington’s medical staff is still evaluating freshman tailback Chris Polk’s dislocated shoulder. He didn’t say Polk was for sure out this week, but he is fourth on the depth chart after starting the first two games.
Darin Harris, who got out of the hospital Sunday, won’t play this week, meaning the earliest he would return would be in two weeks against Stanford (Washington has a bye after the Oklahoma game). Michael Gottlieb (hamstring) and Darin Harris (groin) could play this week, though Willingham said it’s too early to know yet if either will be ready to play.
Kavario Middleton suffered what he described as a minor injury to his knee diving to recover a fumble in the first half. He came back to the game and said he thinks he’ll be fine this week. Willingham also said that Nate Williams was banged up, but Williams said he was just sore from tackling BYU’s 239-pound halfback Harvey Unga. Williams walked gingerly away from an interview and joked that “I feel like an old man.” He said he’ll be fine by Saturday, however.
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