Another Transition Game for Huskies at Quarterback

Ronnie Fouch will take over the Washington Huskies' starting quarterback job Saturday. Fouch replaces the injured Jake Locker. The style of the two quarterbacks—Locker more of a runner, Fouch more of a passer—is akin to the situation in 2006 when Isaiah Stanback, the mobile quarterback, was hurt, and Carl Bonnell started the final five games of the season.

The situation in 2006 when Stanback was hurt

The Huskies were 4-2, having lost the previous week at No. 3 USC. Both of their losses at that point were to ranked teams on the road, the first against No. 15 Oklahoma, 37-20. The talk was about which Bowl game the Huskies would make.

After going 2-9 the previous season, Tyrone Willingham had turned things around and had the Huskies pointed in the right direction, beating the lower-level teams and competing with the biggest programs in the country. The Huskies averaged 25 points a game in the first six with Stanback. They gave up 22 a game.

Then Stanback got hurt.

After a 19-yard scramble in the fourth quarter against Oregon State, Stanback planted, rolled his ankle, and messed up all sorts of things in his foot. He limped off, and was on crutches after the game. After the game, Willingham said he wasn't sure of the extent of Stanback's injury. Three days later, the school announced he would need surgery and be out for the season. Carl Bonnell would start the final six games.

What happened when Bonnell took over

The former Kentwood High School star was a junior, not the redshirt freshman Ronnie Fouch is. Considering Stanback's running ability, the assumption was he didn't throw that much and Bonnell, more of a pocket passer, threw a lot more.

Not true. Stanback averaged 27 attempts per game to that point. In his five starts, Bonnell averaged 30 attempts. The main shift in offensive strategy came from backfield arrangement. Often clearing backs out from behind Stanback, there were usually two backs behind Bonnell. Out were the individual run plays for the quarterback.

Bonnell struggled, throwing five interceptions in his first start, a 31-24 loss at No. 11 Cal. The Huskies lost four of Bonnell's five starts, finishing 5-7 and not getting to a Bowl game. Washington did win the Apple Cup to close the year.

The situation in 2008 when Locker was hurt

The Huskies were 0-3, losing to Stanford, a "must-win game" according to many. Unlike in 2006, the Huskies' erratic passing game made the fandom wonder aloud about the backup and what he could do. As much as incompletions, the losses also helped develop those thoughts.

Locker broke his right thumb trying to block a Stanford safety during a reverse by the Huskies. The talk is no longer if Willingham will be fired—though the athletic director, Scott Woodward, said he will evaluate the situation at the end of the season—it's who will replace Willingham. Redshirt freshman Ronnie Fouch takes over at quarterback for at least six weeks.

What is likely to happen when Fouch takes over

The Huskies, like 2006, will shift to a two-back alignment, giving the Huskies an extra blocker and extra outlet receiver. More deep passes are likely to be thrown, though that is dependent on pass protection. Arizona has only six sacks in four games (and the Huskies are envious of that meager total).

Tight end Michael Gottlieb should see more balls Saturday. The Huskies have struggled throwing deep passes this season, most of the blame being directed toward Locker, though the receivers have dropped balls and slowed on routes when they should have continued. It will be interesting to see if Fouch and Co. can solve this problem Saturday.

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. He can be reached via e-mail at [e-mail].