Bonnell's good fails to outshine bad and ugly

BERKELEY, Calif. — He was miraculous. He was maddening.

He played carefree. He played careless.

He nearly won the game. But at the end, he threw the pass that lost it.

When it was over, when the wildest game of his injury-burdened college career ended with a 31-24 overtime loss, Washington quarterback Carl Bonnell fell at the 50-yard line. He just rested there, on his back, the last of five interceptions finally pinning him.

For all the good he did — 284 passing yards, 64 rushing yards, three touchdowns, a Hail Mary — the game's recurring theme tortured him. Bonnell couldn't stop throwing the ball to California defenders. It seemed like his spirals came with GPS systems.

In overtime, linebacker Desmond Bishop caught Bonnell's final errant pass and raced to safety as the quarterback crumbled.

Another road game, another almost, another series of what-ifs for a Huskies team so close to the ultimate breakthrough.

"We fought hard," Bonnell said softly. "Too many turnovers."

Replacing injured Isaiah Stanback, Bonnell exceeded expectations in many ways. We judge quarterbacks on success, and who would've thought Washington, a game after losing its most valuable player, would scare the fur off the No. 11 Bears? For one Saturday, the Huskies looked as good as Cal, the trendy pick to win the Pac-10, while using a backup quarterback who hadn't made a start in two years.

Bonnell was good enough to lead UW on a scoring drive on its first possession. Good enough to toss a beautiful 49-yard pass to Anthony Russo to give the Huskies a 10-0 lead 47 seconds before halftime. Good enough to fight off four interceptions before connecting with Marlon Wood on a 40-yard miracle as time expired.

"Well, I think he's good enough to win every game we have left on our schedule," offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tim Lappano said.

But there's still the hideous number at the end of his passing statistics that sticks out like a zit on prom night: 17-31-5.

"The interceptions were at critical times," Bonnell lamented.

Give the 23-year-old credit for taking responsibility. He was the first player interviewed after the game. He spoke even before coach Tyrone Willingham. He was still wearing his uniform, shoulder pads included, and sweat trickled down his face as he replayed the game in a tent outside the locker room.

He described the tying pass to Wood as only "desperation. I'm actually not sure who caught the ball, but I'm glad somebody did."

Bonnell's first interception, an end-zone pick by Daymeion Hughes, looked as much wide receiver Marcel Reece's fault as the quarterback's, but Bonnell only said, "It was just miscommunication. That happens."

These are games every developing quarterback must endure. Bonnell won't like knowing he's now tied for second in school history for most interceptions in a game. (If you're wondering, Sonny Sixkiller threw six picks against Oregon State in 1970.) But despite making some bad reads and being overeager to make plays at times, he deserves another start.

Though they've played well against BCS-bowl contenders Cal and USC over the past three weeks, the Huskies are on a three-game losing streak. Their 4-1 start has melted to 4-4. They're only 2-3 in the Pac-10. They need a win Saturday against Arizona State worse than Eddie Murphy needs a blockbuster.

Now it's on the new quarterback to be more efficient.

"We can't throw five interceptions," Lappano said. "I've got to do a better job of helping him with the decision-making process."

Lappano wasn't frustrated with Bonnell, however. He was furious over how many times his offense failed in short-yardage situations. Running back Kenny James' injury to his right ankle in the first quarter was part of the problem. Mostly, though, the Huskies aren't physical enough on those plays. A better power-running game would make this quarterback transition much easier.

"I picked him up after the game was over," Lappano said, referring to Bonnell's spirits. "This one isn't on Carl Bonnell, though. This is on how we couldn't get a freakin' foot on third-and-one.

"You've got to be able to get a first down on third-and-short without throwing the football. We have to be more physical."

In the big picture, the effort and improvement of Washington continues to amaze. The Huskies shouldn't be going possession for possession with national-championship contenders this early in Willingham's rebuilding, especially when their starting quarterback is missing. But now that they've come so far so quickly, they must keep this good vibe from evaporating.

It's on the new quarterback. Limit the turnovers. Maximize the miracles.

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com