2007 Week 1

Soph. QB throws for 2 touchdowns and runs for another in win

With games against ranked teams such as Boise State, UCLA, USC, and Ohio State on the immediate horizon, the Huskies knew they needed to put together a good effort against Syracuse on the road.

Jake Locker, the sophomore quarterback so highly touted by coaches and media, drove the Huskies to the win with a good showing on offense. The defense played bend-but-don't-break to perfection, holding the Orangemen to just 15 points.

The Huskies marched right down the field for four first downs resulting in a touchdown on the first drive of the game, as Louis Rankin plowed in from less than a yard out. The previous play, Locker threw a nice pass to freshman wide receiver Anthony Broyles, who went up the sideline for 17 yards and appeared to score. However, the referees ruled him out at the 1. The play was not reviewed, and Rankin scored two plays later.

The Huskies looked awful the rest of the first quarter as they were caught for a safety on the next play after a great Syracuse punt that was downed inside the 5 yard line. Then Syracuse put together a nice drive to take a 9-7 lead.

UW took over again in the second quarter as Locker found Rankin for a 17-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing kickoff, the Huskies forced a fumble and Donald Butler recovered. Locker took the very next play off right tackle on a power option keeper for 31 yards, breaking one tackle attempt and showing surprising speed in outrunning everybody else.

"That was impressive," said a relieved Mora after the game. "He wasn't gonna get taken down on that play. That's all there was to it. He looked like a bull in a china shop."