Huard Has His Chance With UW Sophomore Quarterback Takes Spotlight, Now That Dillon Has Turned Professional

He’s smarter and more confident now, a maturing sophomore who could develop into the West’s answer to Peyton Manning.

If Washington is going to compete for a national title this season, Brock Huard has to be good - almost as good as Manning has been for Tennessee.

“I expect Brock to be a full step improved over where he was last year, physically and mentally,” coach Jim Lambright said.

“I think he’s going to have a great season,” offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. “I know he’s prepared himself for a great season.”

Last season, Huard replaced Shane Fortney and helped the Corey Dillon-led Huskies to a 9-3 record. When Huard wasn’t handing the ball to Dillon, the Pac-10 rushing champion, the left-hander was 108 of 217 for 1,678 yards and 13 touchdowns with only five interceptions.

Dillon departed early for the NFL, leaving the Huskies to Huard.

“I think it’s important to get the ball to the player who is ready to play a dominant role,” Lambright said, referring to Huard.

At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Huard is a home-grown product, from the rural community of Puyallup. Older brother Damon, who is in the Miami Dolphins training camp, is UW’s all-time passing leader.

A year ago, Brock Huard broke into the starting lineup against Arizona after Fortney injured a knee against Brigham Young. In a 31-17 win over Arizona the next week, Huard passed for 311 yards and three TDs and was the Pac-10 offensive player of the week.

When Huard started, the Huskies won seven of nine games. He wasn’t intercepted in his final 85 pass attempts of the regular season.

The season wasn’t without its bumps and bruises. He sustained a concussion in a 54-20 loss at Notre Dame in October.

In the Holiday Bowl, Huard and Dillon were good, but Washington’s defense wasn’t good enough to stop Colorado’s Koy Detmer.

The Buffaloes won 33-21 as Detmer passed for 371 yards and three TDs. Huard was 21 of 37 for 203 yards with an interception and no TDs.

Rashaan Shehee, who rushed for 957 yards and 15 TDs two years ago, is expected to replace Dillon, and Huard will be protected by an offensive line anchored by 310-pound guard Benji Olson.

Huard’s favorite target should be Jerome Pathon, who led the Huskies with 41 catches, seven for TDs.

“We think he’s already one of the premier quarterbacks in the country,” Pathon said of Huard. “He has great charisma in the huddle and thrives in adverse situations.”

For his part, Huard is ready for the challenge.

“Basically, you hear all the talk and expectations,” he said, “and you’ve just got to live up to it by … seeing what you’ve got.”