Huskies moving forward - with or without Price

Oct 24, 2013, 12:00 AM

Frustration boiled over on the Washington sideline during Saturday’s blowout loss to Arizona State. Quarterback Keith Price, battered, beaten, and bruised, lay down on the ground and let out a piercing yell, a combination of anger and pain. The UW’s fifth-year quarterback had a tough game Saturday, as did the rest of the team. But it’s unclear whether or not he will have the chance to rebound this weekend. With Saturday’s home game against California fast approaching, head coach Steve Sarkisian is still unsure who will be under center this weekend. Price is nursing a thumb injury that has been bothering him for three weeks, as well as various other ailments that arose as a result of Arizona State’s constant pressure. If he is unable to go, redshirt freshman Cyler Miles will make his first start for the Huskies. With Price’s status still up in the air, Miles said that he is treating this week like any other week and preparing for Saturday as he normally does. “I try to prepare the same every week, no matter what the outlook is,” Miles said. “I just do what I have to do every day and whatever happens, happens on Saturday.” Miles made his UW debut in this season’s opener against Boise State, but he did not throw a pass. He played extensively in the UW’s 56-0 win over Idaho State, completing 5-of-7 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 89 yards in that game, in which he played much of the third and fourth quarters. Sarkisian said he has confidence that if Price is unable to go, Miles is ready to lead the team. “Cyler’s practiced really well,” Sarkisian said. “I’ll be really comfortable if Cyler plays. We won’t be limited at all.” Sarkisian said that Price’s current injury is lower down on his right thumb than the one that was bothering him all last week. The injury originally occurred in the 31-28 loss to Stanford. Price fought through it that night to throw for 350 yards and two scores but then struggled in losses to Oregon and Arizona State. Price felt he missed multiple opportunities to hit open receivers in both of those games, but he refused to blame it on his hand. “I won’t use my thumb as an excuse,” Price said. “If I knew I couldn’t make the throws, I wouldn’t be out there.” Price said he has been in the training room extensively the past few days as he tries to ready himself for Saturday. While he said he is prepared to play and start Saturday’s game, Price acknowledged the injury is a difficult one for a quarterback to overcome. “It’s a long process,” Price said. “Obviously your hand is very important, especially for quarterbacks. Just a little bit of swelling affects you. I’m going to keep rehabbing it and keep preparing as if I’m going to start.” Sarkisian said he will likely make a decision about the starter after Thursday’s practice. He said the decision will come down to whether or not Price can make all the throws he normally can. Reach reporter Daniel Rubens at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @drubens12

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