UCLA football: Washington QB Jake Locker may be game-time decision
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The question about the Washington Huskies this week is whether the dogs will have some bite against UCLA on Saturday. Quarterback Jake Locker, one of the best offensive catalysts in the Pacific 10 Conference, is nursing a deep thigh bruise and is expected to be a game-time decision.
“We got to put him in situations to see if he can do what he’s capable of doing,” Washington Coach Steve Sarkisian said. “It’s not about whether he can stand in the pocket and throw the ball. He has to have the ability to escape and take hits. He relies on his legs to get out of trouble and make plays. We have to make a smart decision.”
Locker’s speed is what makes him dangerous. Besides throwing for 1,968 yards, he is the Huskies’ second-leading rusher with 207 yards, which includes 113 yards he lost when sacked.
While Locker practiced on Monday, Sarkisian said, “We limited him to some degree. We didn’t have him running around or doing anything to put stress on that thing.”
Sarkisian added, “Jake will want to go if he can, but I don’t know if we can make a decision until we wake up Saturday morning.”
The Bruins went through this will-he-or-won’t-he game prior to playing Oregon this season. Ducks’ quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was nursing a knee injury and Coach Chip Kelly was coy about the situation. Masoli did not play, but the Bruins still lost, 24-10.
“I’m sure Jake be in game,” UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said, who then went on to wax poetic about Locker’s abilities.
“A lot of quarterbacks get accolades, but I don’t think there is a finer quarterback in the country,” Neuheisel said. “I don’t care who you are naming.”
Locker had 92 yards rushing and 216 yards passing in a 44-31 loss to UCLA in 2007, but missed last season’s game against the Bruins with a thumb injury. Ronnie Fouch started and completed only seven of 22 passes for 39 yards and had two passes intercepted in a 27-7 Bruins’ victory. Fouch has thrown only one pass this season.
Tailback Johnathan Franklin, UCLA’s leading rusher, continues to churn out yards despite nagging injuries, including a tender ankle. Franklin has 506 yards rushing and has scored five touchdowns, one on a 74-yard touchdown run against California.
No other UCLA player has more 139 yards rushing.
“Johnathan has some great quickness and good vision,” Neuheisel said. “And he has ability to finish the run, as evident with the one against Cal.”
Franklin has had two 100-yard games this season, but has a combined 73 yards in the last two games. That, in part, is due to the Bruins trailing in those games. But it also has to do with the injuries.
“He got hurt in the Oregon game and has not been quite as able to play,” Neuheisel said. “But I do believe he has a great future. As he develops more and becomes a complete back in pass protection and pass receiving, he will continue to rise.”
The Bruins are still looking for a second option at tailback. Derrick Coleman, the team’s second-leading rusher, has had limited opportunities the past five games. He was the only tailback other than Franklin to run the ball against Oregon State Saturday. Coleman had 19 yards in three carries.
Milton Knox got in for a few plays against Oregon State. Knox had 45 yards rushing in eight carries against San Diego State in the season opener, but has had only five carries in the seven games since.
-- Chris Foster