Huskies expect Montana to start at quarterback

SEATTLE – If University of Washington football coach Steve Sarkisian could go back in time and pick any quarterback to lead his team Saturday afternoon, he wouldn’t have to think long before making his choice.

Joe Montana, Sarkisian said, is hands-down the greatest of all time.

Since the Hall of Famer won’t be eligible to play when the Huskies play at Oregon State on Saturday, Sarkisian will have to settle for a second-generation replacement.

Nick Montana, son of the skilled passer, is likely to make his debut as UW’s starting quarterback – or at least that’s what Sarkisian was saying Thursday.

One day after telling reporters that he would not name a starting quarterback for the OSU game, Sarkisian announced – first via Twitter, and then to reporters after an early-evening practice – that Montana would replace injured Keith Price as the starter.

“It just felt right,” Sarkisian told the media after practice. “I loved how Nick had looked the last couple of days. Keith’s not 100 percent, obviously. … I think he’ll be available in emergency status on Saturday. For our team, (starting Montana) is the right thing to do.”

Price sprained his left knee during the third quarter of last Saturday’s loss to USC and has yet to practice this week.

While Sarkisian had hoped to get him on the practice field Thursday, he mostly limped around on a brace while Montana and redshirting freshman Derrick Brown took the snaps.

“It’s tough to put a kid in there that hasn’t practiced all week,” Sarkisian said. “I don’t think it’s fair to Keith. I don’t think it’s fair to our football team.”

Sarkisian has shown no hint of concern with his first-time starter, but he did admit Thursday that Montana would be likely to have some butterflies before Saturday’s game.

“That’s natural,” Sarkisian said. “I’m sure he’s going to have a few nerves. All competitors do because you love the opportunity to go compete. But one play, and you start playing.”