Stanback will come back

Washington coach Tyrone Willingham was emphatic Saturday after his team’s 51-24 loss to top-ranked USC: There is no quarterback controversy – Isaiah Stanback is and will remain his starter.

Willingham’s team is 1-6 and has lost 12 consecutive Pacific-10 Conference games, but he isn’t about to make a switch unless an injury to Stanback makes it necessary.

Each week, when opposing coaches talk to the Seattle media, the coaches never fail to mention Stanback’s gifts.

Oregon’s Mike Bellotti did. UCLA’s Karl Dorrell did. Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter, the Huskies opponent Saturday, is no exception.

“Stanback is capable of making huge plays both inside the pocket and outside the pocket,” Koetter said Monday.

“I like the coaches having to worry about me,” Stanback said.

Still, reporters continue to ask if Oregon transfer Johnny DuRocher will get a series here or there. Message boards implore Willingham to give DuRocher a chance under center. Conversations bubble over at local sports bars that maybe DuRocher could shake things up.

Stanback doesn’t care if detractors or doubters want to ignite a quarterback controversy.

“I really don’t listen to all the stuff, don’t read the papers, nothing,” he said.

With the loss to USC, the Huskies are officially out of bowl contention. According to Willingham, the goal of playing to compete well remains the same.

But for Stanback, much pride is on the line in the Huskies’ last four games. He still has something to prove.

To this point, he said his play is “OK.”

“Compared to last year, it’s good, but where I want to be, just OK,” he said. “I have high standards for myself. If I make a few plays more a game, it could lead us to wins.”

Stanback struggled in 2004, going 23 of 68 for 389 yards. He threw for three touchdowns and three interceptions. He rushed 41 times for 66 yards for an average of 1.6 yards per carry.

But nothing is the same for Stanback – except the team’s record.

Stanback is 108 for 187 (57.8 percent) for 1,541 yards. He has thrown for seven touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Stanback has also rushed for a team-high three touchdowns and averages 245.3 yards of total offense per game.

“I think it is self-evident to everyone that we are better this year than last year,” said UW receiver Craig Chambers.

Willingham said that if it weren’t for five or six plays, Stanback would have played a perfect game against USC.

“I thought Isaiah’s play was pretty good,” Willingham said. … “I think he was 14 of 18, I don’t think he threw an interception. But, there were a couple of plays that I know he and I would both like to have back. I thought he was playing pretty well.”

Stanback was, in fact, 14 of 18 for 201 yards and a TD. He also ran one in.

Still, it is those five or six plays on which Stanback’s skeptics hone in.

He threw behind a wide-open Cody Ellis on a bubble screen that resulted in a fumbled lateral that the Trojans turned into a quick touchdown.

To open the second half against Oregon, he threw into double coverage for an easy Ducks interception.

But, that is also the learning curve of a junior in his first season as the go-to quarterback.