2007 Week 11

LOCKER HAS A CAREER DAY IN DRUBBING AT RESER STADIUM

In helping the Huskies dismantle the Oregon State Beavers yesterday, Jake Locker threw for 300 yards for the first time in his young career. He also tied his career high for passing touchdowns in a game with three, and set career revords for completion percentage, completions, and quarterback rating.

Especially impressive was that Locker did not - by any means - have a perfect day. Once again he was victimized by an offensive line that simply isn't very good, and is missing injured center Juan Garcia. Robert Lukevich, starting in his place, has allowed six sacks and routinely gets overpowered at just 6'2" 250 lbs. Nevertheless, Locker minimized his mistakes.

"That's something I've been working on," said Locker. "Cutting your losses is so huge. It's something I have difficulty with because sometimes I have success scrambling and getting out of the pocket. But other times you have to be careful with that, because that leads to mistakes."

As in last week's contest against Oregon State, the team benefited from an interception return for a touchdown. Chris Stevens went 52 yards with his prize for the game's first points with 3:27 to go in the first quarter. Three minutes later Locker found Johnie Kirton for a short touchdown pass.

Oregon State would counter with a 47-yard touchdown strike, but Locker and his favorite target Corey Williams struck back with a 48-yard bomb as the Beavers blew the coverage completely.

"I was all alone out there, what can I say," said a stunned Williams. "That was an easy one, they don't come often."

Ahead 21-7, the Huskies couldn't stop Oregon State from getting back into it again as Gunderson threw a second touchdown pass to close the gap to a touchdown at halftime, 21-14.

Locker found Williams for a second touchdown pass early late in the third quarter that gave the Huskies some extra breathing room. After a long drive, Gunderson threw another interception and the Huskies countered with a nice drive that ended on a 5-yard touchdown run by Louis Rankin.

"I thought we could have done some things better on defense, but we made big plays on that side of the ball anyway," coach Mora said after the game. "We're not gonna be able to stone teams in this league. They're just too athletic. We were disappointed in the 87-yard pass we gave up in garbage time, but it gets our kids some additional experience. As for Locker's performance today, the numbers say it all. He was great. Let's see him keep it up."