SEATTLE – Casey Paus got the official word from The Boss Saturday and the reaction was predictable.
Having heard from head coach Keith Gilbertson that he’d officially earned the University of Washington starting quarterback job following a closed scrimmage Saturday at Husky Stadium, Paus said he would get on the phone to his parents.
“I’m really excited,” said Paus, a junior. “I’ve always been a humble guy, so I’m not going to gloat. I’m excited, I’m very anxious and I can’t wait until Monday comes around, when we start prepping. It’ll probably be a restless two nights.”
Just a few days ago, offensive coordinator John Pettas gave Paus the edge, albeit unofficially. Pettas said he told Paus and the other two candidates, sophomore Isaiah Stanback and redshirt freshman Carl Bonnell, that Paus would get the majority of the reps with the first-team offense. The implication: Paus was the frontrunner for the job to lead the Huskies offense in the season opener against Fresno State a week from today at Husky Stadium.
Gilbertson, however, the man with the last word, left the door open for Stanback and Bonnell. He said that, should either Stanback or Bonnell have great scrimmages Saturday, he’d take that under consideration.
Whether that was a message to motivate Paus or a fact, only Gilbertson knows.
Paus wasn’t flashy Saturday, but he was effective. He was 11 of 18 passing for 94 yards. Stanback was good, but not good enough to unseat Paus, completing 10 of 17 for 118 yards and a touchdown. Bonnell was 6 of 12 for 77 yards and an interception.
“Casey will start the game, unless he missed treatment (today),” Gilbertson said, grinning, “but I don’t think he will.”
The scrimmage itself was a rag-tag affair, much as one would expect after 21 preseason practices and on the heels of two-a-days. There were mental mistakes and physical mistakes that took the form of too many penalties, a lack of crisp execution and less than spirited hitting.
“We weren’t very physical today,” defensive coordinator Phil Snow said. “I didn’t think we hit as well as we have. Then we had some young guys that proved today that they don’t know what they’re doing.”
Still, bright spots remained:
* The ground game chewed up 205 yards on 41 attempts. Fullback James Sims led the way with 76 yards on three carries, one a 70-yard TD. Starting tailback Kenny James had 48 yards on five carries and a TD.
* Receiver Sonny Shackelford caught six passes for 50 yards. Bobby Whithorne added five receptions for 43 yards. A surprise was tight end Dash Crutchley, who finished with five catches for 85 yards, but he also was whistled for a couple of illegal-procedure penalties and didn’t have a great day blocking.
* Cornerback Cody Ellis, tabbed as the sixth defensive back on obvious passing situations, had nine tackles, five unassisted, including one for loss.
* Stanback had a fine day, showing that he can make big plays with both his arm and his legs. While his running ability was well known, Stanback’s improvement in his passing has been something to behold.
In fact, Gilbertson and Pettas made it clear that Stanback will get some playing time in order to give Fresno State a different look and more things to worry about.
“It’s fine with me,” Stanback said. “We’re on the same team and we have the same goal, to win. Casey’s going to start and I’m going to get my chance to play. I have to make sure I’m ready.”
But the day belonged to Paus, who battled Stanback and Bonnell last spring and for nearly all preseason camp.
“I’m definitely not going to lay off; I want to keep going forward,” Paus said. “Especially at quarterback, you have to get better and I just want to keep rolling.”
Hemphill runs with ones: Redshirt freshman strong safety Chris Hemphill started the scrimmage with the first-team defense, but senior Jimmy Newell’s job apparently is safe.
Hemphill, 6-foot-6 and athletic, had three tackles and a sack.
“We wanted to get him into the rotation with Jimmy and Dashon (Goldson),” Gilbertson said. “Chris missed a lot of work, so we needed to get him a lot more work.”
Gilbertson said Newell and Goldson would start as the safeties.
Mapuolesega picks one off: Defensive end Mike Mapuolesega found himself standing in front of a Bonnell pass, which he intercepted and ran it back 76 yards, just short of a TD. On the way, tailback Shelton Sampson valiantly tried to tackle the 265-pound Mapuolesega, but only succeeded in slowing him down while two teammates helped to make the tackle.
Short bursts: Tight end Joe Toledo (back) and wideout Corey Williams (hamstring) sat out of the scrimmage because of injury. Both are expected to play in the opener … Tight end Ben Bandel, who has missed a lot of time with a chronic knee condition, probably will not play against the Bulldogs … Walk-on Evan Knudson has won the placekicking job over Michael Braunstein. Knudson converted from 39 yards, but missed from 42. Braunstein made one from 35 yards, his only attempt. Braunstein will kick off … Remaining jobs to be won remain at tackle, between Rob Meadow and Ryan Brooks, and at guard, between Stanley Daniels and Tusi Sa’au. Both, Gilbertson said, have been great battles that have strengthened each position … Although defensive tackle Donny Mateaki played some Saturday, he may not be ready for Fresno State, having missed so much practice because of a pulled hamstring … The team will take today off, then resume practice Monday. All practices are closed to the public.
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