By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
CORVALLIS, Ore. – So, just how badly was he hurting.
Following Washington’s 49-24 defeat to Oregon State Saturday, speculation was that a hit late in the first quarter on Husky quarterback Cody Pickett’s already-separated shoulder may have hampered him the rest of the game.
Pickett, as is his pattern, denied it.
“It’s sore, but it didn’t affect me,” he said.
Still, Pickett slogged through his worst day since he briefly appeared in the 1999 Oregon State game, when he was 0-for-4 passing with an interception. On Saturday, Pickett completed just 13 of 32 passes for 160 yards and an interception.
“I think it was more of an execution deal,” wideout Todd Elstrom said, “just a lack of execution. I have to give it up to their defense. They played extremely well. I didn’t see them get rattled at all, really.”
Pickett’s throws, however, seemed to hang instead of zip. On the interception, which cornerback Dennis Weathersby returned 73 yards to the Husky 24, the pass appeared to be slow in getting to intended receiver Elstrom, as though Pickett’s shoulder were bothering him.
Again, Pickett denied it.
“I threw the ball a little bit behind him, but I felt good throwing the ball,” he said.
UW coach Rick Neuheisel, however, mentioned the shoulder without prodding from the press.
“He’s playing with a separated shoulder, and we all seem to forget that, given all that he’s produced,” Neuheisel said. “He’s been magnificent in his brief time as our starting quarterback.”
Offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson told the media afterward that Pickett never mentioned any pain in his shoulder. Gilbertson said Pickett was simply off on his throws.
“He just wasn’t as sharp as he usually is,” he said. “It happens to all quarterbacks. It doesn’t mean I’m mad at him.”
Stevens returns: Washington tight end Jerramy Stevens, sidelined since he broke his left foot against Idaho Sept. 22, returned to the field for the first time. Although he played much of the game, he didn’t catch a pass, although Pickett threw to him three times.
“I felt good in practice and I felt good today,” Stevens said. “We just couldn’t get it together today.”
The Beavers certainly knew Stevens entered the game on the Huskies’ second series. Three defenders pointed to Stevens as the Huskies broke the huddle.
“They definitely were making adjustments against me when I came into the game,” Stevens said. “It wasn’t something that I didn’t expect.”
OSU coach out: Beavers wide receivers coach Eric Yarber missed the game because he was hospitalized with a liver infection. It was the second game Yarber had missed. It is likely he will miss OSU’s Dec. 1 game against Oregon.
“He will be in the hospital another two or three weeks,” OSU coach Dennis Erickson said. “It’s pretty serious, but not life-threatening. He’ll be back ready to go, probably, in January.”
“It’s not that big a deal,” Erickson said. “The big thing is my mom and dad still live there and they came to the game. They can go back to Everett with their chest out and brag a little bit about their little kid.”
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