It's a year of firsts for UW head coach Steve Sarkisian and today marked his initial appearance on the Pac-10 coaches conference call.

No real news, but a few interesting comments from Sark. So here's a brief recap:

--- Sarkisian gave this overall summation of fall camp: "I think fall camp went really well for us. It was an opportunity for our kids to come in with a clean slate with an opportunity to compete and battle for position spots and I think that showed up as evidenced by some of the guys who have earned starting spots. I really love what Jake Locker has done up to this point going through camp and getting ready for LSU. I think he has completely bought in to what are trying to get done offensively. The receiver play is a bright spot. That's a group that if there were expectations they have exceeded them and the addition of James Johnson has just added to that there. On defense, the linebackers continue to be the mainstay of what we are doing along with Daniel Te'o-Nesheim up front and Nate Williams in the secondary.''

--- Asked about the challenge of facing LSU, he said: "Obviously it's a big challenge this weekend on national television, but it's one that we are going to embrace and go for it full tilt, and Husky Stadium should be rocking and we'll try to take advantage of everything we can here in a home setting.''

--- Asked about preparing for LSU and its remade defense under new DC John Chavis he said "that's always a challenge when you bring in new coordinators'' and that you look at what they did previously scheme-wise and how they may try to fit in their new personnel.

--- Asked if either team has a motivation advantage given each is coming off disappointing seasons, he said "I think it's somewhat of a wash'' and that everyone is 0-0 this time of year and everyone is fighting for respect.

--- Asked about the influence of Don James, he said the two have spoken a few times so far but "they haven't been as at lengthy as probably either of us would like'' given how busy everyone is. But he said he hopes his can embody "some of the same characteristics that his teams had when it was really rolling here.'' He added that getting the respect of your opponents "is one of those things you get by playing hard and playing tough, physical football.''

--- He said that hiring Marques Tuiasosopo was among the things done to try to embrace the history of the program though he noted again that Tui could up and sign an NFL contract any day now if one is offered so he's not here long-term just yet.