Is this the year?
August 16, 2006
[img1]Its chances may not look bright, but the Husky football team is gearing up for a winning season.
In the Pac-10 Conference preseason poll featured in The Seattle Times last month, the media picked Washington to finish dead last, behind archrival Washington State and Stanford, but that isn't hampering spirits at Husky Stadium.
"This football team should be working to go to a bowl game," said coach Tyrone Willingham. "[It is] progression that leads us to our ultimate goals." This will be Willingham's second season with the Huskies. The football team ended last season with a 2-9 record.
"My expectations for the football team this year are to be one of the leaders again and trying to help the team get victories," said senior wide receiver Sonny Shackelford.
Senior Isaiah Stanback is projected to to start at quarterback for the Huskies.
"Isaiah Stanback worked [hard] to be starter," Willingham said. "Hopefully at the end of the season, he'll lead us to a bowl game and become one of the better quarterbacks in the conference and in the country," Willingham said.
[img2]The football team faces two obstacles going into the 2006 season. Four UW players -- redshirt freshman running back J.R. Hasty, wide receiver Chancellor Young (a transfer from Duke University), backup receiver Charles Smith and offensive tackle Nate Flowers -- have been disqualified due to academic ineligibility, according to The Seattle Times. Additionally, senior running back Kenny James is out with a broken right arm.
"Kenny is doing fine," Willingham said. "I think he'll be wearing a splint. In a week or two he'll be out of that and then he'll be ready to go."
For their first game, the Huskies will face San Jose State Sept. 2 at Husky Stadium. The team will then travel to Norman, Okla., to play against Big 12 Conference power Oklahoma on Sept. 9. Many Husky players are particularly excited about this game.
"Going over there to see the traditions they have," said junior wide receiver Anthony Russo. "To get a win over there would be great."
Senior kicker Sean Douglas said he looks forward to going back to his native Midwest. "It's a big game," he said.
The Pac-10 conference play begins Sept. 23 when the team takes on UCLA at Husky Stadium.
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