SEATTLE – You might have to beat it out of Carl Bonnell, but eventually, he’ll admit he belongs in the race.
After asking him three times following the Washington Huskies’ first scrimmage of the spring Friday at a sun-baked Husky Stadium, Bonnell finally relented that he’s got as good a shot to be the Huskies’ quarterback as anyone.
“Yes, I feel like I’m in the race to be the starter,” he said, smiling at reporters’ persistence. “There ya go.”
Bonnell, a transfer from Washington State who redshirted last season, was 5-for-8 passing for 53 yards, an interception and two touchdowns against the Huskies’ first-team defense. He and quarterback Casey Paus (6-for-11, 114 yards, one TD) had the best day in the three-way race to replace Cody Pickett.
The other candidate at QB, Isaiah Stanback, was 2-for-7 for 19 yards, although he was a victim of several dropped balls by his receivers.
“I would have liked to have more passes called,” Stanback said. “But the coaches call the plays. I just run them.”
Each quarterback had his moments. Each had moments he’d like to do over. But the fight moves on. The race was neither won nor lost on the basis of the scrimmage, nor will it likely be over until at least by the end of spring drills.
“I don’t think any quarterback really jumped out at you today,” UW coach Keith Gilbertson said.
Bonnell directed a fine 80-yard, eight-play scoring drive that ended with a 14-yard TD pass to tight end Jon Lyon. He also lobbed a 20-yard TD throw to wideout Corey Williams to end a 60-yard, six-play drive.
Paus found a wide-open Charles Smith for a 44-yard TD pass.
The Huskies’ running game was solid, if not spectacular. Tailback Shelton Sampson gained 59 yards on eight carries, while Louis Rankin added five carries for 52 yards and Kenny James went 47 yards on eight carries.
Most spectacular was James Sims, moved to fullback from free safety this spring. Sims had 52 yards on five carries, consistently finding holes and bursting through them.
“He really jumped out and made some really nice runs and blocks,” Gilbertson said. “Once in a while he’ll miss a protection, but I would say James has been the standout in spring football so far.
“As big as he is and he runs a 4.4, he hits the hole pretty fast. He’s had a nice couple weeks.”
The defense was up and down. It allowed too many big plays, but also stopped runs for losses. Safeties C.J. Wallace and Chris Hemphill each made six tackles. Evan Benjamin, moved to outside linebacker from free safety this spring, came up with five tackles and a sack.
“I’m not where I’d hoped we’d be with our defense,” Gilbertson said. “There were an awful lot of big plays. I’m not sure whether that’s good offense or bad defense.”
Placekicker Evan Knudson, a walk-on made all three of his field-goal attempts from mid-40-yard distance. His competition, scholarship kicker Michael Braunstein, was 1-for-5. He had one blocked by cornerback Cody Ellis.
Nose tackle Dan Milsten left the scrimmage early with a sprained ankle. Gilbertson said he didn’t believe it was serious.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
