Stanford back-up QB outplays Barton

Against UCLA Saturday, Stanford started its second-string quarterback. The vaunted Bruin defense expected to slaughter junior Chris Lewis like it did Husky backup Taylor Barton.

But Stanford came out firing, refusing to be intimidated by Robert Thomas. Chris Lewis, who made his first start of the season replacing Randy Fasani, completed 20 of 29 passes for 250 yards. During a stretch in the first half, he completed 13 consecutive passes.

"I don't know why or how, but I really don't get nervous," Lewis told the Associated Press. "Whenever we make mistakes, I feel we get tighter as a group. We feel that we're as good as anybody in the country. If we play well, we can put up points with the best of them."

And the team will have an opportunity to put up points against a Husky defense that has surrendered an average of 24 points and 471 total yards a game. Against Arizona State, the UW defense allowed 320 passing yards and 121 on the ground -- not exactly Purple Reign. But Husky coach Rick Neuheisel remained optimistic

"I think the defense improved against ASU," he said. "[It] made big plays when [it] had to."

The Cardinal has a well-balanced attack. In addition to Lewis' performance, the team ran for 213 yards and two touchdowns, scoring 38 points on a Bruin defense that had not allowed more than 17 all year.

"It's going to be a challenge for us," said senior defensive lineman Larry Tripplett. "It's going to take our best effort. As a defense, we are going against one of the best offenses in the pac-10."

The Huskies will benefit from a healthier defensive front. Linebacker Kai Ellis played Saturday but Neuheisel said his play was "rusty." Ellis should be full go this weekend.

O-line shows improvement

After consecutive poor performances on the ground, the Husky offensive line stepped up and took responsibility for the running game's poor performance.

The UW's 188-yard output, led by Willie Hurst's career-high 185 yards, was a step in the right direction.

"Everyone was focused this time," said red-shirt freshman tackle Khalif Barnes. "From the plane ride down until game time, you could see it in everyone's eyes we are going to come out and we are going to run the ball. The offensive line wouldn't have it any other way.

"We did feel like we improved. As the line, we had the finger pointed at us to get the running game going. We had to respond pretty quick."

The job only gets more difficult against the defense that kept Heisman Trophy-candidate DeShaun Foster under 80 yards Saturday.

Anderson named player of the week

Junior place-kicker John Anderson kicked the game-winning field goal from 30 yards out as time expired Saturday and was named Pac-10 special-teams player of the week. On the game, Anderson was two for two on field goals and perfect on three PAT attempts. This was the second weekly award for Anderson, who also earned the award Oct. 6.

Tailback Onterrio Smith of Oregon and cornerback Kris Richard of USC were named offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.