Huskies Notebook | Chris Polk to have surgery

Four years into his Washington career, coach Tyrone Willingham is still searching for that program-changing victory.

An upset against third-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday would breathe life into a team that's gasping for air and staring at an 0-3 start.

Exuberance may have cost the Huskies a come-from-behind win last week when quarterback Jake Locker was flagged for an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty after a last-second touchdown against BYU. But Willingham said his team needs to play with high enthusiasm to keep pace with the high-scoring Sooners.

"There's no question our football team has to play emotional," he said. "But I'm very much imagining and believing that their team will be emotional, too. So it's going to be a test of wills. We hope ours is strong enough to prevail in the fourth quarter."

The Sooners (2-0) have averaged 54 ½ points in a pair of nonconference games, and the Huskies' inexperienced and battered defense surrenders an average of 485 yards. The deadly combination makes UW a 21-point underdog.

"You can't play the game on paper," Willingham said. "That's the positive. They got to line up and play. We got to line up and play. And when you do that, no one knows what's going to happen."

Polk to have surgery

Freshman RB Chris Polk (dislocated shoulder) will have surgery next week and is likely out for the rest of the season. He's expected to apply for a medical redshirt, which would give him four years' eligibility.

"I'm very excited about Chris," Willingham said. "What we've seen so far is only the tip of what he's capable of doing. I don't think we saw the best tip yet."

Polk is the first freshman to start a season opener at tailback for the Huskies in the modern era. He ran for 33 yards on 20 carries in two games.

Safety shuffle

The secondary shake-up continued Thursday as the UW copes with the injuries of strong safety Darin Harris (concussion), backup strong safety Victor Aiyewa (groin) and reserve strong safety Jason Wells (knee).

Freshman Johri Fogerson, the former O'Dea standout, may start at strong safety and will see action this week.

Sophomore free safety Nate Williams, who had been hampered by nagging injuries, ran smoothly in Thursday's practice and is expected to start.

Notes

• Senior TE Michael Gottlieb (hamstring) had his best week of practice and should make his season debut.

• Sophomore RB Brandon Johnson, who sat out last week, is expected to return Saturday. Freshman David Freeman is still scheduled to make his first start.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com