By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
SEATTLE – When Ken Walker scored a touchdown in the first quarter against Stanford Saturday, it at least put an end to questions from his family back in Honolulu.
And maybe his family could hear Walker’s teammates screaming when the Washington Huskies’ senior fullback scored the first touchdown in his time at Washington.
“Everybody was saying, ‘When are they going to let you score? When are they going to give you the ball close to the goal line?’” Walker said, smiling. “But that was a great time. I think we almost got a penalty on that play for celebrating to much. I was ready to run back to the sidelines and big Joe Collier jumps on me. They all piled on top of me. It was fun.”
It was a great reward for Walker, who has seen much as a Husky since he walked on in 1997. He has seen a coaching change. He has changed positions, from linebacker (“That’s because he’s a bad linebacker,” center Kyle Benn said, laughing).
There there’s the usual collection of snubs and barbs usually experienced by a walk-on, which is on roughly the same level as the laundry on the big-time football scale.
“It’s been a long struggle,” Walker said. “But I stayed motivated and persevered.”
The low point was in 1999, when Walker, trying to make a name for himself with the new coaching staff, suffered a high ankle sprain, a nasty injury that can take months to heal.
Great timing, Walker thought. This was his big chance for some major playing time, and he couldn’t put any weight on his foot.
“It was the first time I ever sprained my ankle,” he said.
So Walker lingered on the depth chart as the third or fourth linebacker. One day, he tracked down then-running backs coach Wayne Moses, knowing that the starter, Pat Conniff, was going through one of his series of stingers, knee injuries or concussions.
“You know Conniff,” Walker said. “He always had something going on. So I said to Coach Moses that if he needed any help at fullback, that I’d love to come over there. I told him I wouldn’t ask for the ball or anything. I’d just go out there and hit some guys.”
Walker just wanted to get on the field. He didn’t care that he would get the ball roughly once every millennium. He didn’t care that UW fullbacks get the ball on pass plays so seldom that they’re called “Decoy Leroy.”
“Blocking’s fun; I like it,” Walker said. “I guess I’m weird.”
E.T. was blocking: Amid reports that the Stanford brethren is unhappy at UW wideout Charles Frederick for his block on defensive back Simba Hodari, Frederick said he was merely trying to block for quarterback Cody Pickett.
“I didn’t think it was a cheap shot,” Frederick said.
Hodari was hospitalized with a severe concussion. Reports out of the Bay Area are that there is some stirrings to the effect that Frederick’s elbow-to-helmet hit was unnecessary.
UW coach Rick Neuheisel said he has seen the tape, has talked to Hodari and Frederick and remains convinced that the contact was clean.
“I’m comfortable that there was no intent to injure,” Neuheisel said. “It was two bodies colliding, and unfortunately, Charles Frederick’s elbow catches Hodari in the chin. He was coming back to block and He wasn’t in enough control to say that it was intentional.”
Neuheisel said he had talked to Stanford coach Tyrone Willingham, but would not discuss the conversation.
Hodari is expected to recover fully from the concussion. He was released from Harborview Medical Center Monday night.
Stevens returns: Tight end Jerramy Stevens, who hasn’t practiced since breaking a foot against Idaho Sept. 22, showed little rustiness in his return Tuesday. Stevens appeared to be at or near full speed and made several impressive catches.
Neuheisel said he wants to ease Stevens back into the fray, citing conditioning and game-readiness.
“It’s exciting that he’s at least starting the comeback,” Neuheisel said.
Stevens refused to talk to reporters after Tuesday’s practice.
Short routes: Wideout Justin Robbins, redshirting because of a recurring hamstring pull, broke a hand in practice last week and will be in a cast six weeks … Wideout Reggie Williams practiced Tuesday and appeared not to be bothered by a quad bruise. Wideout Wilbur Hooks (shoulder) will practice today … Linebacker Ben Mahdavi (shoulder) got full clearance from medical personnel and practiced some Tuesday … Linebacker Tyler Krambrink (torn wrist ligaments) probably will begin practicing this week.
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