Wildcats face tough test at Washington

Last season was one the Washington Huskies would like to forget.

After losing star quarterback Jake Locker in the fourth game of the season to a wrist injury, the Huskies listlessly limped through the rest of 2008, finishing winless in 12 games.

But with Locker back and former USC assistant Steve Sarkisian at the helm, the 2009 Washington Huskies have proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-10.

Locker led the Huskies to a stunning 16-13 defeat of the Trojans on Sept. 19, a game that has turned the Pac-10 race upside down.

“Jake is as good as anyone in college football,” said head coach Mike Stoops. “There’s not a throw on the field that he can’t make. He might be the No. 1 quarterback in the country.”

The 6-foot-3, 226-pound junior is among the premier athletes in the Pac-10. Not only can he make all the throws, but he can break a game wide open with his feet. Stoops went as far as to compare Locker’s considerable talents to another legendary Pac-10 gunslinger — former Stanford phenom John Elway.

“We’re all hoping that Jake leaves [for the NFL draft] after this year,” Stoops joked.

Despite Locker’s efforts, the Huskies have dropped two straight road games (34-14 to Stanford, 37-30 to Notre Dame in overtime). Washington seemed to have control throughout last week’s game against the Fighting Irish, but the defense collapsed down the stretch, allowing Jimmy Clausen to lead his team to the come-from-behind win.

“The Huskies looked like the better team, but they couldn’t quite put that game away,” Stoops said.

On Saturday, the Huskies (2-3, 1-1 Pac-10) host the Wildcats (3-1, 1-0) at 7:15 p.m. in a game that might end up having serious bowl implications. Washington desperately needs a win to help right the ship after a brutal schedule to open the season and the Wildcats could make a serious statement if they’re able to pull off two straight conference road wins.

After his impressive performance two weeks ago in his first-career start at Oregon State, sophomore Nick Foles looks to repeat that performance at another tough place to play.

“What you love about a guy like Nick is he’s never too high and he’s never too low,” Stoops said. “You can’t live or die by each particular play, and Nick maintains a steady confidence in all situations, which is what you like to see, especially from a young quarterback.”

The Wildcats will nearly be at full strength (with the obvious exception of Rob Gronkowski) after using the bye week to recover from nagging injuries, such as Nic Grigsby’s sprained shoulder. However, slot wideout William “Bug” Wright will be inactive for Saturday’s game after suffering a knee injury in Corvallis, Ore.

UA’s strong secondary will be tested by Locker’s rocket arm, but Stoops expects this unit to be up to the challenge. Last week, cornerback Devin Ross was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week after coming up with the game-clinching interception in the team’s 37-32 win over the Beavers.

On the other side, Trevin Wade has quickly established himself as one of the premier corners in the nation with four interceptions.

“I don’t know if anyone is playing as well as Trevin is right now,” Stoops said. “He has similar attributes to Antoine [Cason].”

Game notes

Arizona (3-1, 1-0) at Washington (2-3, 1-1)

7:15 p.m., Saturday, FSN-AZ

Key match-up: Washington quarterback Jake Locker versus Arizona’s secondary. Locker has developed into a strong pocket passer in new head coach Steve Sarkisian’s system, but the Wildcats’ secondary has picked off six passes, led by Trevin Wade’s four (second in the nation).

Key stat: 54 percent (Washington’s third-down conversion rate — first in the Pac-10, sixth in the nation).

Go to www.gvnews.com on Thursday to read Sports Editor Nick Prevenas’ full breakdown of Saturday’s game.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747