Football 2001

FOOTBALL 2001

Tony Overman/The Olympian
Cody Pickett has the tough task of stepping in for Marques Tuiasosopo at quarterback, but fortunately, he has been surrounded by a cadre of skilled players.

New era in Huskies football starts with Pickett

QB has talent on offense; defense led by Tripplett

GAIL WOOD, THE OLYMPIAN

SEATTLE -- Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Washington and its chances to repeat as the Pac-10 champion this fall is not who is coming back, but who isn't?

That would be Marques Tuiasosopo, the seemingly charmed Huskies quarterback who sparked eight come-from-behind victories last season. As a second-round pick of the Oakland Raiders, Tuiasosopo became Washington's highest-drafted quarterback in school history.

Replacing him is sophomore Cody Pickett, who has attempted six passes. But Pickett, son of a world champion calf roper, says he's no rookie.

"This is my third year," said Pickett, who redshirted as a freshman. "I've been around. I know the system. I know I don't have a lot of game experience, but I'm confident I can get the job done."

Pickett, who beat out junior college transfer Taylor Barton for the starting spot, can throw the football 78 yards, so he has the arm to throw the long bomb. He'll have plenty of targets to throw to.

There is Todd Elstrom, who led the Huskies with 47 catches last season. Then there's Paul Arnold, a converted running back, Wilbur Hooks, Pat Reddick and Lacey's Justin Robbins, a returning starter who has been slowed by a hamstring pull.

The biggest surprise has been 6-foot-4 freshman Reggie Williams.

"Reggie continues to make big plays," Huskies coach Rick Neuheisel said of the blue-chip recruit from Tacoma. "He's exceeded expectations in terms of learning the offense. If he continues to play this way, he'll get to play a lot."

Of course, Pickett will also be throwing plenty of passes to 6-foot-7 tight end Jerramy Stevens, also from Lacey and considered to be one of the best tight ends in the country.

Washington, which beat Purdue in the Rose Bowl in January, returns six starters on both offense and defense.

Larry Tripplett, the 6-foot, 295-pound All-America nose tackle, put the NFL on hold for a year and came back for his senior year.

His quickness could be the trademark of a defense that is expected to be more on the attack this season. Marquis Cooper, who played as a true freshman at outside linebacker last year, has moved to inside linebacker. He has the speed and toughness to become a big-play player.

Former walkon Ben Mahdavi returns at inside linebacker after starting eight games there last season. Linebackers Jafar Williams, Anthony Kelly, Jamaun Willis and redshirt freshmen Tim Galloway and Zach Tuiasosopo will also create problems for opponents with their speed.

The Huskies are young at defensive back and offensive line. Cornerback Omare Lowe is the only senior starting in the defensive backfield.

Center Kyle Benn is the lone senior starting on an offensive line that has eight freshmen and sophomores on the two-deep depth chart.

Owen Biddle, a walkon who got his first start in the Rose Bowl and was awarded a scholarship in August, will start at strong safety. Jimmy Newell, who was expected to start at free safety, has been bothered by a shoulder injury.

At running back, the Huskies are deep and experienced with the return of Willie Hurst, Rich Alexis and Braxton Cleman.

Alexis is 15 pounds heavier than last year, at 230. He led the Huskies in rushing last season with 726 yards, a freshman record.

He has a big-play running style, going 86 yards for a score against Arizona State, 50 yards for a score against Miami and 50 yards against Purdue in the Rose Bowl.

Hurst averaged 6.1 yards per carry and Cleman, who has been moved to fullback, averaged 5.1.

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Washington Huskies

- COACH: Rick Neuheisel, third season, 18-6. Overall: 51-20 including four years at Colorado.

- 2000 RECORD: 11-1, 7-1 Pac-10. Highlight: 34-24 win over Purdue in Rose Bowl.

- STRENGTHS: A stout defense led by huge defensive lineman Larry Tripplett, who received All-America honors last season; a sound running back in sophomore Rich Alexis and a talented bunch of receivers including South Sound products Justin Robbins and Jerramy Stevens from Lacey.

- WEAKNESSES: A young, inexperienced offensive line which will need to mature quickly with non-conference opponents Michigan and Miami lined up right out of the blocks.

- OUTLOOK: If Cody Pickett or Taylor Barton can find any of the magic Marques Tuiasosopo brought to the field last season at quarterback, Washington can be a big factor in the Pac-10 race this fall. Huskies will need to start quickly in non-conference play and be ready for Pac-10 toughies Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA.

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