With only a few days left before the Washington Huskies take on the Oregon State Beavers, head coach Steve Sarkisian wasn't offering much information after practice Wednesday evening as to whom he will start at quarterback this Saturday at Reser Stadium down in Corvallis.
Keith Price had started every game this season so far for the Huskies, though his hobbled status leaves the door open for redshirt freshman Nick Montana to take the reins under center this weekend. But Sark was playing it close to the chest, giving no inclination either way as to who that starter was, even going as far as making all his offensive players off limits to the media, making me start to believe this is more about national security than it is football.
Oddly enough, Sarkisian handled a similar situation last season with former QB Jake Locker and Keith Price. Locker had some hurt ribs, which got even worse against Stanford, leaving the possibility Price would make his first start at the then No. 1 Oregon Ducks. At his presser that Monday, Sarkisian announced that Locker would not be starting, naming Price the stater right then and there. Two days later Price was allowed to speak to reporters about the upcoming game which ended up being a 53-16 victory for Oregon.
Perhaps he's simply learned his lesson and wants nobody talking before this matchup.
All signs currently are pointing to Montana as the starter, though Sarkisian noted that his game-plan will be similar to when Price was under center for one week back in 2010.
"There will be things that feel similar in that I'm not just going to handcuff (Montana). He's going to have his opportunities to throw the ball around, throw it down the field," Sarkisian said. "But regardless of who the quarterback is, if we are going to be successful, we've got to run the ball. And we've got to do it well."
For more on the Huskies, head over to the UW Dawg Pound.