Quarterback’s Record Day Sparks Washington’s Effort

Thanks to Marques Tuiasosopo, the Washington Huskies control their own destiny.

Tuiasosopo became the first player to pass for 300 yards and run for 200 in a game, dazzling the crowd with a school-record 509 yards as Washington rallied to beat Stanford, 35-30, Saturday, handing the Cardinal its first Pacific 10 Conference loss.

The Huskies, 5-3 overall, improved their league record to 4-1. They can go to the Rose Bowl if they win their final three conference games; at Arizona, at UCLA and at home against Washington State.

“We’ve got a tall order ahead of us,” Washington Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

Tuiasosopo is only the fourth major-college quarterback to throw and run for over 200 yards in a game. The last to do it was Southwestern Louisiana’s Brian Mitchell in 1987. His combined yardage is the most of the four players in the 200-200 category.

The talented junior, son of former NFL defensive lineman Manu Tuiasosopo, gave the Huskies their first lead at 28-23 with a 10-yard touchdown run with 9:54 left.

The Cardinal (5-3, 5-1) knew he was good, but not that good.

“He did a tremendous job,” Stanford Coach Tyrone Willingham said. “We weren’t just afraid of his running and ability to improvise, but also his ability to throw.”

Tuiasosopo completed 19 of 32 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 22 times for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

He became the first Washington quarterback with consecutive 300-yard passing games since Sonny Sixkiller did it in 1970.

Tuiasosopo broke the school mark for total offense, 419 yards by Cary Conklin against Arizona State in 1989.

David Klingler of Houston set the single-game record for the most yards in a game, 732, against Arizona State Dec. 2, 1990. He had 716 yards passing and 16 rushing in that game.

Tuiasosopo proved how tough he was, too. He was injured on the second play of the game when he was thrown to the ground on his backside and hip. He went into the dressing room during the game and was limping badly afterward.

“I had a doubt about him at halftime,” said Washington wide receiver Dane Looker. “He could barely lift his leg to walk. Yet, he didn’t even look hurt when he was playing.”