PACIFIC 10 FOOTBALL / DAN HAFNER : Huskies Double Tough at Quarterback

Coach Don James of Washington has two outstanding quarterbacks--Billy Joe Hobert and Mark Brunell--both of whom have the potential to play in the NFL. And he intends to play both of them.

In Seattle it’s a blessing. In Los Angeles it would be a controversy. Los Angeles has thrived on quarterback controversies since the Rams had Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin 40 years ago.

“I don’t pay any attention to any talk about the situation,” James said as he prepared the Huskies, unbeaten in their last 15 games, for Saturday’s game with Wisconsin, not one of the Big Ten powers.

“I came up with the plan to play them both for several reasons. For one thing, both are outstanding. They both have a future in professional football. Moreover, if you have two good players at any position, you should take advantage of it.

“It also might help in recruiting. A good quarterback knows he will get a chance to show what he can do even if we already have a No. 1.”

For now Hobert, a junior who won the job when Brunell injured his knee in spring practice last year, is No. 1. He has been the starter in the last 13 games.

Brunell made a remarkable recovery and played in eight games as a backup, including the Rose Bowl. Both have been most valuable players in the Rose Bowl, Brunell in 1991 and Hobert last Jan. 1.

“Before I made the decision, I discussed it with the players,” James said. “I asked them what they would do in this situation. The plan calls for the starter to play two-thirds and the backup one-third.

“This situation is unique. We have tried to build up a backup quarterback in the past, in case of injury, but this is the first time we’ve had two No. 1 quarterbacks. The only way something like this can happen is the way it did--a serious injury. We were fortunate. Hobert stepped right in and did a wonderful job.”

True to his plan, James put Brunell in early in the second quarter of the opener last Saturday night at Arizona State.

But things got a little tense when Arizona State’s Mario Bates ran 80 yards for a touchdown to cut the Huskies’ lead to 21-7 early in the second half. With three Washington touchdowns nullified by penalties, James had to abandon his plan.

Hobert played most of the rest of the game as the Huskies struggled to a 31-7 victory.

“Basically, though, our starter will play into the second quarter and then the backup will come in,” James said. “With both having a future in the pros, I want to be sure they get the necessary exposure. I want everybody to know these are No. 1 quarterbacks.”

Mostly, there has been little controversy over the situation, but James said that while he recently heard considerable discussion on a radio talk show.

“People are amazing,” he said. “We have two right tackles who share the playing time. And two tailbacks. But nobody pays any attention. All anybody talks about are quarterbacks.”

The Huskies’ quarterback situation is nothing, compared to their tailback surplus.

Napoleon Kaufman ran 63 yards for a touchdown the first time he carried the ball against Arizona State, then went 70 yards to set up the third score in the first half.

Nevertheless, the sophomore from Lompoc is still the third-string tailback. Beno Bryant, the former Dorsey High star, is still No. 1 and Jay Barry is the backup. Both are seniors. Bryant gained 943 yards last season but has been hampered by a hamstring injury. Barry gained 743.

“Beno is still our tailback,” James said. “But we’ll have (Kaufman) in there. My goal is to give all our guys a chance.”

In his two games against Arizona, Drew Bledsoe, Washington State quarterback, has passed for 653 yards. It’s no wonder Wildcat Coach Dick Tomey believes Bledsoe is possibly the best in the country.

“He’s a great quarterback,” said Tomey, whose team plays the Cougars on Saturday at Tucson. “He’s a great passer, he’s big, he’s strong and he can run the ball.

“We always stress (defense against) the run, but this week we’ve had to make a few adjustments.”

In the Cougars’ opener against Montana, Bledsoe threw 66 times for 413 yards, but he also threw four interceptions. The Wildcats intercepted four passes in their 49-3 victory over Utah State.

After a strong start last season, Oregon’s hopes were dashed by injuries and the Ducks lost their last six games.

Coach Rich Brooks was wondering if history was about to repeat itself when four players were injured in the 24-21 loss to Hawaii.

Although quarterback Danny O’Neil and tailback Sean Burwell, whose injuries hurt the Ducks last season, survived the opener unhurt, others did not.

Punt returner and wide receiver Brian Brown was sidelined for the season because of a knee injury. Nose tackle Silila Malepeai, linebacker John Taumoepeau and offensive tackle Steve Hardin are expected to miss Saturday’s game at Stanford.

Pacific 10 Notes

Arizona State Coach Bruce Snyder has another week to decide if Troy Rauer or Grady Benton will be his No. 1 quarterback. Rauer was only No. 4 until shortly before Saturday night’s game with Washington. Benton returns after a one-game suspension. The Sun Devils are idle this week, but play Louisville Sept. 19. . . . California Coach Keith Gilbertson made it clear after the opening 46-16 victory over San Jose State that Dave Barr was his No. 1 quarterback.

After Kansas overwhelmed Oregon State, 49-20, second-year Beaver Coach Jerry Pettibone said: “I feel good about what we did offensively. We did some things well. I’m not discouraged at all.”