Barton shines in debut

By Sunny Wu

Oct 8, 2001, 12:00 AM

It's been a long time coming for Husky quarterback Taylor Barton. His well-chronicled journey to Washington has been drawn out and, at times, arduous. Barton spent one year at Colorado in 1998 with then-Buffalo coach Rick Neuheisel. But when Neuheisel left for the UW, Barton became disillusioned about the game -- unable to connect with new coach Gary Barnett. "When I left Colorado, I debated whether to quit football," Barton said. "I wasn't having any fun." But he stuck it out, transferring to City College of San Francisco and leading his team to a junior college national championship. Barton wanted to continue the resurrection of his career by transferring to the UW, but for a time, that did not appear possible. Neuheisel had promised not to accept any transfers from Colorado. To make sure there was no hint of collusion, Neuheisel sacrificed two scholarships to allow Barton to enroll at the UW. "Given all that he has gone through in his college career and how hard he worked to be here, (and) given the adversity of the fumbled snaps in the first half, I thought it was a really big effort by a neat kid," Neuheisel said. Those fumbled snaps made every Husky fan a bit exasperated. After replacing Cody Pickett, who left with a separated shoulder, in the second quarter, Barton fumbled three snaps, losing one to USC. "To not get the snap, it's just frustrating," he said. "It's not going to happen again." Through his two-year campaign to attend the UW, Barton learned the values of resiliency and tenacity. He displayed both in the second half, making clutch plays when his team needed him most. "I could've folded," Barton said, "but I kept my head up." Trailing 14-7 in the second half, the Huskies were led by Barton on an 11-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. He threw a laser to receiver Reggie Williams for the 6-yard score. In the fourth quarter, he connected with Willie Hurst on a screen pass for his second touchdown. On the game-winning drive, he connected with slot receiver Todd Elstrom on a crucial second and long. "We knew we were with him," Williams said, "and we knew we had his back and he would take us to the victory." Barton led the Huskies Saturday in perfect UW form to yet another comeback win. He completed 11 of 20 passes for 197 yards. He also had 10 carries -- three of which were for critical first downs in the second half -- for 25 yards on the ground. "I prepare myself everyday like a starter," Barton said. Yet he knows Pickett won the starting job during fall drills. Barton will tread lightly, careful not to create a quarterback controversy. "I'm [Pickett's] No. 1 fan," Barton said. "It's not me vs. Cody. It's me and Cody vs. USC; it's me and Cody vs. UCLA." Heading into this Saturday's game against No. 7 UCLA, Neuheisel has a decision to make. Who will lead the No. 8 Huskies into Pasadena? Pickett was very sore and his shoulder was tight yesterday. "He's probably doubtful, but I don't want to rule him out because he does not want to rule himself out," Neuheisel said. Neuheisel's job, however, is easier after Barton's performance. Barton is unabashed about his ability. "I'm confident," he said, "and I can steer this ship."

Stay up to Date

Subscribe to our weekly newsletters covering the news, arts, and sports.

Barton shines in debut

Disruptor interrupts Psych 210, professor and students chase man on to Red Square

2025 Seattle and King County primary election endorsements

UW mechanical engineering students are now required to pay $250 quarterly fee to participate in department-affiliated RSOs

College Inn Pub reopens under new ownership