Apple Cup
UW notebook: Senior Galloway a starter again

By Bob Condotta
Seattle Times staff reporter

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The Huskies will try to replace Joe Lobendahn's heart and soul with Tim Galloway's grit and persistence. How well the latter makes up for the former could go a long way toward determining the outcome of tomorrow's Apple Cup in Pullman against Washington State.

Lobendahn, UW's leading tackler with 100, broke his wrist last week against California. Into his place will step Galloway, an Auburn High graduate who started 10 games last year when Lobendahn was out but has had to adjust to being a reserve as a fifth-year senior.

"It's tough, but I learned my role early in the season," he said. "I accepted it and tried to help out as much as I could and knew I'd always be ready if anything happened."

But the difference in Washington's defense without Lobendahn last week was stark — Cal scored four of its five offensive touchdowns and gained 200 of its 304 rushing yards after Lobendahn left with 3:32 to play in the third quarter.

Still, coaches for Washington State and Washington say it might be too easy to reach the conclusion that Lobendahn's absence was the sole reason for those numbers.

"Well, that was the second half," said WSU coach Bill Doba, implying UW's entire defense wore down against the Bears. "Galloway, I thought he played pretty well and I know he'll be jacked up and ready to go."

Washington defensive coordinator Phil Snow agreed that the Huskies' defense let up once the game started to get out of hand.

Still, UW coaches know that Lobendahn adds a speed dimension that Galloway lacks.

"I've been around this system and I know where I'm supposed to be," Galloway said. "I hope I can go in there and not miss a beat. Obviously, losing Joe is a big deal so I've got to raise my game and see how it goes."
 
And maybe he can become one of those unexpected heroes that rivalry games so often create.

Galloway came to Washington in 2000 as part of Rick Neuheisel's first full recruiting class and will be one of just four members of that class who will play tomorrow.

He has watched as the team has gone from Rose Bowl champions to possibly the worst in school history during his five years, but hopes for one last good memory.

"It's going to be emotional going out there for the last time," Galloway said. "I'm just going to try to have some fun actually playing a little bit more and doing what I came here to do."

Last practice

Huskies coach Keith Gilbertson downplayed the fact that yesterday's practice was the final full workout for the team — and his career — at Husky Stadium, saying the team will have a walk-through there today before traveling to Pullman.

Gilbertson said he has heard from a number of former UW players and coaches and other friends this week wishing him well in his last game.

"The No. 1 thing you want as a coach is to feel that you made a difference," he said.

Schedule change redux

Contrary to information released earlier in the week, UW officials said yesterday that the team's bye week next year will fall on Oct. 8 and not Oct. 15 and that the Huskies will play at Oregon on Oct. 15 and not Oct.8.

Washington's bye week falls in between road games at UCLA and Oregon. The change is part of several made at the request of Arizona State.

Notes

• TE Joe Toledo should be able to start tomorrow. He missed much of the Cal game with rib and back injuries.

• Gilbertson said Ty Eriks will likely start at defensive end in place of Mike Mapuolesega, who is "definitely out" after injuring his ankle this week in practice. Manase Hopoi will also move outside from tackle at times to fill in.

• Gilbertson said there are no plans to play backup QBs Isaiah Stanback or Carl Bonnell, though he didn't rule it out. He said Casey Paus will start "and then we'll see what happens."

• The Huskies will likely stop by Martin Stadium this afternoon and "run around" for a few minutes, as Gilbertson said, though he said it wouldn't be a full walk-through.