Washington’s Petersen still evaluating Huskies’ quarterbacks

  • By Christian Caple The News Tribune
  • Sunday, April 13, 2014 10:11pm
  • SportsSports

SEATTLE — Chris Petersen admits that even if one of Washington’s quarterbacks has separated himself during spring practices, he probably wouldn’t say anything about it publicly.

But UW’s head coach says it’s far too early to think about whether Jeff Lindquist or Troy Williams might start under center when the Huskies begin the season Aug. 30 at Hawaii.

“I don’t think it’s even really time for us to sit down and say, ‘hey this is the guy,’” Petersen said after Saturday’s practice. “We just need to keep competing and letting everybody get better.”

The division of quarterback repetitions during practices has supported that statement.

Lindquist and Williams receive equal reps, with each player working with different combinations of the No. 1 and No. 2 offensive units.

There’s also still the possibility of suspended quarterback Cyler Miles returning to the team, though if Petersen has a timeline for his return, he hasn’t said so publicly. Miles was being investigated in connection with the same Feb. 2 altercation that resulted in misdemeanor charges being filed against wide receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow, though the King County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file charges against Miles.

Petersen said last week that Miles won’t necessarily miss the entire spring, but just three practices remain.

Washington will at least receive a boost to its quarterback numbers in the fall, when incoming freshman K.J. Carta-Samuels (San Jose, Calif.) joins the team. Until then — or until Miles is allowed to practice again — it will likely just be Lindquist and Williams taking all of the snaps.

UW’s lack of bodies at that position has at least given Lindquist and Williams plenty of chances to try to hone their timing in a new offense.

“I think the schemes, they understand it, and now it’s just a process of making decisions faster,” Petersen said. “I think there’s a lot — ‘hey, that’s a good decision, the ball needs to come out quicker. You need to see that and make that decision quicker.’ So I think there’s been a lot of progress on those two guys kind of understanding what we’re doing.”

Seventh-year senior?

What most folks know about running back Deontae Cooper is that he missed his first three full college seasons due to three different ACL injuries and subsequent surgeries.

But what folks might not know is that the NCAA has already issued Cooper a rare waiver granting him seven years of college eligibility — or four full seasons of competition — meaning he’ll be able to play for UW through 2016, if he so chooses.

Cooper, a fifth-year senior who finally saw the field in 2013 when he rushed 43 times for 270 yards and three touchdowns, doesn’t necessarily think that far into the future.

“We’ll see. I hate to plan, because no one planned to have three ACL tears,” Cooper said. “So I’m just going to take it one day at a time and go from there.”

Cooper said he thought about pursuing a nursing degree, but instead decided to stick with American Ethnic Studies with an emphasis in Communication, with the hope of perhaps pursuing a Master’s in sports administration.

“We’ll see how that goes,” he said.

‘A lot of teaching’

Asked Saturday whether the offense or defense is progressing faster, Petersen hedged his response.

“I think both sides are making strides,” he said. “There’s a lot of teaching. We’ll get to playing football a little bit more in the fall — a lot more in the fall, but I’m talking about fall camp. A lot of fundamentals being taught (in spring), a lot of schemes being taught. I know everybody would like to just go out here and throw a ball out here and scrimmage the whole time, but we just don’t feel that’s best for our development right now.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Shukurani Ndayiraglje participates in the triple jump event during a track meet between Lynnwood, Everett, and Edmonds-Woodway at Edmonds District Stadium on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s Shukurani Ndayiragije is leaping toward glory

The Seagulls senior has his sights set on state in all three jumping events.

Arlington head coach Nick Brown talks with his team during a time-out against Marysville Getchell during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Arlington boys basketball coach Nick Brown steps down

Brown spent 18 seasons as head coach, turning the Eagles into a consistent factor in Wesco.

Players run drills during a Washington Wolfpack of the AFL training camp at the Snohomish Soccer Dome on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Arena football is back in Everett

The Washington Wolfpack make their AFL debut on the road Saturday against the Oregon Black Bears.

Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) was selected in the first round, 16th overall, of the NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)
Seahawks select DT Byron Murphy II with first-round pick

Seattle gives defense-minded new coach Mike Macdonald a player who can anchor the unit.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, April 25

Prep roundup for Thursday, April 25: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Seattle Kraken defensemen Jamie Oleksiak (24) and Will Borgen (3) celebrate a goal by center Matty Beniers (10) against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, in Buffalo, N.Y. (Jeffrey T. Barnes / The Associated Press)
Kraken leaving ROOT Sports for new TV and streaming deals

Seattle’s NHL games are moving to KING 5 and KONG, where they’ll be free for local viewers.

Lake Stevens pitcher Charli Pugmire high fives first baseman Emery Fletcher after getting out of an inning against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens tops Glacier Peak in key softball encounter

The Vikings strung together a three-run rally in the fifth inning to prevail 3-0.

UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu, left, pressures Arizona State quarterback Trenton Bourguet during the second half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 11, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. Latu is the type of player the Seattle Seahawks may target with their first-round pick in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
Predicting who Seahawks will take with their 7 draft picks

Expect Seattle to address needs at edge rusher, linebacker and interior offensive line.

Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird brings the ball up against the Washington Mystics during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Aug. 18, 2022, in Seattle. The Storm’s owners, Force 10 Hoops, said Wednesday that Bird has joined the ownership group. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
Seattle Storm icon Sue Bird joins ownership group

Bird, a four-time WNBA champion with the Storm as a player, increases her ties to the franchise.

Seattle Mariners’ J.P. Crawford (3) scores on a wild pitch as Julio Rodríguez, left, looks on in the second inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Mariners put shortstop J.P. Crawford on the 10-day IL

Seattle’s leadoff hitter is sidelined with a right oblique strain.

Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez connects for a two-run home run next to Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim and umpire Mark Carlson during the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. It was Rodriguez’s first homer of the season. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Finally! Julio Rodriguez hits first homer of season

It took 23 games and 89 at bats for the Mariners superstar to go yard.

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, April 24

Prep roundup for Wednesday, April 24: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.