Brunell Back on Feet, Washington Wins, 31-7

Mark Brunell showed he is back as a running quarterback for Washington on Saturday.

Brunell, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during spring practice last year, ran for two touchdowns and Napoleon Kaufman rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown in the Huskies’ 31-7 victory over Pacific.

It was the 21st consecutive victory for Washington (7-0). The Huskies share the top spot in the Associated Press rankings with Miami, which beat Virginia Tech 43-23.

Brunell and Billy Joe Hobert, Washington’s quarterbacks, were a combined 13 for 22 for 112 yards.

“It’s a win and you can’t be happier than being 7 and 0,” Washington Coach Don James said. “You have to realize that all of our opponents have come after us for the first seven weeks.”

Pacific’s defensive backs said Washington’s receivers are a weak spot, but James said his pass catching crew was fighting injuries. James was forced to use freshman Theron Hill--whom he was hoping to redshirt--because of injuries to other players.

“We have some receivers that are beat to hell right now,” James said, referring to Jason Shelley, Joe Kralik and Eric Bjornson.

The Tigers (2-6) averted a shutout when Troy Kopp connected with Kale Wedemeyer on a 47-yard touchdown pass play with 24 seconds to play.

Brunell ran 13 and three yards for touchdowns and Kaufman, Washington’s sophomore tailback, scored on an eight-yard run. Brunell, starting his second game ahead of Hobert, had 13 carries for 78 yards and completed 11 of 18 passes for 102 yards.

James said Brunell’s ability to scramble for key yards was critical against the Tigers. “He’s a good runner,” James said. “We needed what he did today.”