Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times took a look at Washington Huskies quarterback Keith Price and Washington State's quarterback Marshall Lobbestael Friday, breaking down each of their style and play over the time at their respective schools. Just who's got the upper hand when it comes to the signal caller? Let's take a closer look.
Price is only a sophomore who beat out Nick Montana this spring to take up Jake Locker mantle, throwing 21 touchdown passes in the first six games he played. He currently sits at 2334 passing yards and 26 TD's, two shy of the single season school record set by Cody Pickett back in 2002, and will be suiting up this week after sitting out most of the game last week with an injury.
As for the fifth-year senior Lobbestael, his rise to the top came from three separate injuries during the season to the Cougs other two QB's in Jeff Tuel and Connor Halliday. Halliday suffered a lacerated liver last week against Utah, while Tuel broke his collarbone early in the season, and later was diagnosed with Acute Compartment Syndrome. Lobbestael has completed 179 of 299 for 2,240 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, and arguably has been the most impressive of the bunch at WSU:
"I think when you look at Washington State this year, arguably the best football they've played this year is with Lobbestael at quarterback," UW coach Steve Sarkisian said. "Their schemes aren't going to change; it's the guy throwing the ball ... Marshall has really had a tremendous season."
As for his own quarterback, Sarkisian noted that the time off was helpful for him:
"He really looks good - the bounce and spring in his step," he said. "It's an easy thing to drop back and throw the ball when nobody's around you. It's your ability to make the sudden movements and move when ... a defensive end is up the field rushing. And that was the biggest concern. For the last three days, he's looked really good."
The fact that Price may still be a bit hobbled with his injury and his lack of experience compared to a guy like Lobbestael, a fifth year senior, leads me to believe that the Cougars have the upper hand in this matchup. Price may have better stats but Lobbestael is more consistent. Price is definitely the superior athlete, but may not be able to showcase it they way he usually does with his feet due to his knee injury.
In the long run I'd say Price is overall the better QB, but this week, Lobbestael has a bit of an advantage.
For more on the Huskies head over to UW Dawg Pound. For the Cougars side of things, check out Coug Center.