Talented, sometimes erratic CB Marcus Peters has look of next standout CB for Washington

SEATTLE – Marcus Peters shows those flashes where it’s clear he has a chance to become the next standout cornerback to come through Washington.

And then there are those moments when Peters reminds everyone he’s still just a sophomore rife with talent but prone to making youthful mistakes.

“Marcus is a good player. Marcus, again, is a sophomore, and he has moments of greatness, which we saw last week. It’s staying consistent with that for him,” Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said. “When he’s really detail-oriented, when he trusts his technique, man, he’s a playmaker.”

Peters and his teammates will face their second consecutive major test when they try to corral Washington State’s pass-happy offense on Friday in the Apple Cup. For most of the season, Washington’s secondary was considered one of the top units in the Pac-12, but much of that was based off a strong first five games.

What the Huskies and Peters specifically did against Oregon State last week seemed to solidify much of that belief.

Peters and the Huskies secondary made the night miserable for Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion. He was intercepted three times, twice by Peters, with the third interception returned 80 yards for a touchdown by Shaq Thompson. Peters also forced a fumble. While standout Oregon State receiver Brandin Cooks had 10 receptions, much of that came after the Huskies had put the game out of reach.

It was widely considered the best game of Peters’ young career. But he was quick to point out his one mistake: getting a personal foul penalty for retaliating to a low block.

“I could play a whole lot better. I had the personal foul penalty which shouldn’t happen. That’s something I have to grow from,” Peters said. “The player made a decision to try and cut me and I have to make a better decision and not react to stuff like that. Without that I would say I had a great game, but the personal foul penalty set me back.”

Sarkisian didn’t seem to mind the penalty as much.

“I think you have to have some of that,” he said. “You’ve got to be tough-minded.”