The Washington Huskies are 2-0 this season for the first time since 2007 despite losing Jake Locker to the first round of the NFL draft. The Huskies are 2-0 because of the play of their sophomore quarterback Keith Price. Price has to be the guy who is replacing a legend in Locker. Locker is the Huskies all-time all-purpose yardage leader, second in passing yard, second in passing touchdowns and first in rushing touchdowns for a quarterback. Locker also led the Huskies to a bowl game for the first time in eight seasons and first bowl win in 10 seasons. Locker then went on to be drafted in top 10 of the NFL draft making him the fourth Steve Sarkisian quarterback to be drafted in the first round. The saying in sports is don't be the guy who replaces the guy well that is what Keith Price has been asked to do at Washington. Even then some wondered if he was even going to be given that opportunity to take over for Locker.
When the Huskies were playing games last year many fans expected Nick Montana to take over as the starting quarterback this year. Montana for those who don't know is the son of legendary quarterback Joe Montana. Last year Nick Montana was even a game day captain for the BYU game(season opener) and the Holiday Bowl win over Nebraska despite being a redshirt. The Huskies team stores last season and this season were selling Montana's #5 jersey as well. Meanwhile despite making a spot start at #1 Oregon last year and being projected as the starter this year Price's #17 jersey is nowhere to be found. The kid from Compton who was overshadowed in High School by Matt Barkley is probably used to this by now. Price had just one scholarship offer after his junior year which was by the Huskies from then coach Tyrone Willingham. His current coach Sarkisian never even recruited him at USC but when Sarkisian took over as the Huskies coach he sure did. Sarkisian went down to Compton to make sure Price was still on board who Oregon then Utah had offered him a scholarship. Thankfully for the Huskies Price stayed loyal to the Huskies.
This season many people were high on the Huskies but not so high on Price. Those who felt the Huskies would be a non bowl team this year felt the Huskies were going to be hurt by Price. Most preseason predictions had the Huskies doing well with the rest of their team. They also rated Price as the worst quarterback in the conference. Price who was only a three star recruit in high school is probably used to being underrated so this should come as no surprise. Price is a dual threat quarterback who is accurate and smart with the ball. For the season Price is 35-50(70.0%) passing for 417 yards with seven touchdowns to one interception. In his career he has nine touchdowns to one interception. Many felt the Huskies would be 2-0 while Price is along for the ride but Price is proving he is a big part of the team. In last week's 40-32 win over Hawaii Price was 18-25(72.0%) passing for 315 yards with four touchdowns to one interception. Price faces a stiff test this week at Nebraska but he has already shown that he is the quarterback for the long haul.
In conclusion, Price provides inspiration to everyone who has been doubted in life. In high school he had to live in the shadows of Barkley, in college he had to replace a legend in Locker while having a legend's son be his backup, with Chris Polk as the runningback every loss he'll be blamed for, and many felt he was the worst quarterback in the conference. Seeing how UCLA's quarterback situation is a mess and the Oregon State Beavers have already made a quarterback change that has been proven bogus. Price is having an outstanding season and with the way the Huskies have been playing defense is the main reason the Huskies are 2-0. Price is well on his way to leading the Huskies to a bowl game just like Locker has done. Just remember when someone doubts your ability in anything think of Keith Price who has proven all his doubters wrong time and time again.
No comments:
Post a Comment