SEATTLE – In Casey Paus’ sheltered, football-saturated world, little has changed.
One day after University of Washington offensive coordinator John Pettas announced that Paus is the clear frontrunner for the starting quarterback job when the Huskies open their season Sept. 5 at home against Fresno State, Paus soft-pedaled the claim as only one completely familiar with Modesty 101 could do.
While virtually every media outlet in the Puget Sound area trumpeted Paus’ likely anointing to the throne Thursday, Paus claimed it all was news to him.
“I wasn’t aware of that,” he said. “Right now, they’re still rotating us quite a bit. We’re doing the reps as they see fit. They really haven’t told us much.”
Yes, but certainly, Paus must have noticed that he’s taken most of the practice reps with the projected starters, a clear change from the spring and most of fall camp, when coaches spread the reps with the first offense fairly evenly between Paus, Isaiah Stanback and Carl Bonnell. Right?
“I just go in when they tell me to go in,” he said. “Right now, I’ve taken a lot of reps with the ones and taken advantage of them. I just do what they tell me to do.”
In the last week of fall camp, however, Paus, a fourth-year junior, clearly has grabbed the reigns. He outperformed both Stanback and Bonnell in two-minute offense drills and also led a 99-yard drive to start a scrimmage Sunday.
And, while the job technically may be open up to a scrimmage that’s closed to the public this week, Paus’ experience clearly has been the difference in the past week. A fourth-year junior, Paus simply has had more exposure to the offense than Stanback, a sophomore who played mostly receiver last year, and Bonnell, a redshirt freshman who had just transferred from Washington State.
Besides the three years as a backup quarterback, Paus stepped in for starter Cody Pickett and led the Huskies to a 42-10 pasting of Oregon last season, completing five of eight passes in the second half for 117 yards and two TDs.
“I’ve definitely felt more confident about myself and my ability,” Paus said, “especially with what we’re trying to do in our game plan and what the coaches have in mind. I fell comfortable with it and I feel like they feel comfortable with me as well. I just have to go out there and show it on the field.”
Neither Stanback nor Bonnell, however, believe they will be shut out from playing in 2004.
In fact, both Pettas and head coach Keith Gilbertson have said that it’s likely they will go with at least two quarterbacks to give the given defense a different look. Stanback, the best athlete of the three who can move the chains with astonishing running ability, provides the most different look from Paus.
“I’m not worried,” Stanback said. “Of course, I wanted the starting job. That’s my goal. I’m still confident that I can do it out of the field and when I go out on the field, I’ve got to know what I’m doing.”
Then there’s Bonnell, perhaps the quarterback with the biggest upside, one who can combine Paus’ throwing ability and Stanback’s running acumen.
“I guarantee I’ll get a chance; I’ll get to play this year,” Bonnell said.
In fact, observers predicted early that Bonnell may well be the chosen one. While Paus had an up-and-down spring and a slow start in fall camp, Bonnell exhibited a rifle arm, one that could send a pass sizzling between two defenders and into a receiver’s hands with apparent ease. He also approaches Stanback’s speed.
Yet, in the last week, Bonnell’s youth and inexperience may have caught up with him.
“I think it might have a little bit,” Bonnell said. “I’m a second-year player, a redshirt freshman. Quarterback is a hard position to come in as a young player to lead the team and do a lot of other stuff.”
Freshmen stand out: Defensive coordinator Phil Snow said true freshman Greyson Gunheim is on the way to playing time at defensive end. As of now, he is backing up Brandon Ala.
Others considered to skip their redshirt seasons on defense are tackle Jason White-Frisbee, free safety Darin Harris, nose tackle Erick Lobos and outside linebacker Dan Howell.
D-line changes: Snow said the frontrunners at D-line are Ala and Mike Mapuolesega at ends, along with Donny Mateaki and Manase Hopoi at tackles. Hopoi also may see action at end, Snow said.
The hope is to develop eight to play the line. Others in the running are Ty Eriks and Gunheim at end; White-Frisbee, Lobos, Dan Milsten, Andy Heater and Wilson Afoa at tackle.
It’s possible, Snow said, that as many as 20 players will get into a given game. In the backfield, Harris, C.J. Wallace and Chris Hemphill could spell Jimmy Newell and Dashon Goldson. At linebacker, Howell, Kyle Trew and senior Tim Galloway could relieve starters Joe Lobendahn, Evan Benjamin and Scott White.
At corner, Derrick Johnson and Sam Cunningham are the starters. Matt Fountaine is the nickel back, with Cody Ellis the dime, or sixth defensive back on likely pass plays.
“We want to stay fresh out there,” Snow said. “Fresno (State) will tell a lot.”
Short bursts: Freshman fullback Luke Kravitz returned to practice Thursday afternoon, after the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse approved his transcripts from Olympia High School … Wideout Charles Frederick still is bothered by a sprained right ankle, causing concern about whether he will be ready for the opener. Should Frederick not be ready, Gilbertson said redshirt freshman Bobby Whithorne would start in his place. “He’s had a hell of a camp,” Gilbertson said of Whithorne … The team practiced in Dempsey Indoor during the morning session instead of Husky Stadium because of the weather. Gilbertson wanted to approximate the likely weather for the opener and Thursday morning’s low-60s temperature wouldn’t cut it … Gilbertson said Evan Knudson is ahead of Michael Braunstein for the placekicker spot … Rob Meadow and Ryan Brooks are battling for one offensive tackle spot. Khalif Barnes is the starter on the other side. Guards are Clay Walker and Stanley Daniels, who switched last season from the defensive line and has had a strong camp.
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