Stanback a fighter, from start to painful finish

It ended with the young man, forever trying to prove himself, running against improbability. Third down, 26 yards to go. Good luck trying. Still, Isaiah Stanback's legs churned.

He had no idea it would be his last sprint as a Washington Husky.

How could he have known? Stanback was just performing his normal act of persistence. He had survived this way, no matter how painful and disappointing. No matter how loud the critics roared. His reward was this season, a senior year in which he seemed destined to trumpet his program's revival.

Stanback ran for 24 of those improbable 26 yards, but then his right foot caught in the turf at Husky Stadium last Saturday. It twisted sideways. He fell, helmet first. On Monday, he discovered that's how his story must end.

Triumphs don't end this way. Do they? They end joyously. Don't they? Didn't Disney get that put in the Constitution or something?

This ending is sad and cruel, yet tragically fitting. Wade through the pain, and at least you can arrive here: Even to the end, Stanback ran against improbability. And, goodness, he almost made it.

He must stop at almost, which is difficult for an athlete to stomach. But Stanback redeemed himself this season, even though he lasted just seven games.

He won't leave UW as one of the school's greatest quarterbacks. In fact, the stats will say he lost 13 of his 19 starts and made some awful decisions while doing so. He should exit with your respect, however.

Stanback will miss the remainder of the season with a Lisfranc right foot injury, coach Tyrone Willingham said Monday. It's an obscure midfoot problem that requires meticulous rehabilitation. If he's not careful, his professional football hopes could evaporate.

"It is [tough] because this guy has dedicated himself to being an excellent quarterback, an excellent leader, for this football team," Willingham said. "You'd like to see him get completely through that process."

Spend time around Stanback, and you sense he's a person who deserved more. He found a way to remain affable even when the public questioned his worth. He has the professionalism of a 12-year NFL veteran, but he also has a child-like genuineness about him. Somehow, good people always seem to struggle the most.

"You never want to see a guy like him go down," center Juan Garcia said after Saturday's game.

Washington could be facing a real dilemma at quarterback now. The Huskies started the season at 4-1, and now the expectation is to make a bowl appearance. At 4-3 and with a tough schedule remaining, they will see if backup quarterback Carl Bonnell can get them there.

But they also have touted freshman Jake Locker as an option. With Stanback out, Johnny DuRocher is now the backup and Locker third-string. But if Bonnell doesn't perform well or gets injured (he has a history), Locker is a better option than DuRocher.

Asked Monday what Stanback's injury means for Locker, Willingham said: "It means he's one step closer."

The coach stated a simple truth, but it stirred speculation. That's just what happens when you're talking about a kid with Locker's reputation.

Reporters kept asking The Great Quarterback Question differently. Willingham kept providing the same answer.

"We will do what's best for the individual and what's best for the team," the Washington football coach repeated and repeated.

Those quarterback questions all had poorly veiled undertones about Locker, and the coach knew it. You can't help but think that Locker could rescue this season.

Should Willingham allow him to? No.

The Huskies shouldn't blow a redshirt year for Locker, even if it means finishing 5-7 instead of 6-6.

There's no guarantee Locker is ready to make an impact. Throw him in too soon, and you could hinder his development. And he's the key to this program's progression over the next four years.

If Bonnell doesn't play well and Locker becomes the best option, Willingham will have to make one of the toughest decisions of his UW tenure. He admitted bowl eligibility would be a "huge part" of what the Huskies do at quarterback. But he said there are so many other things to consider.

The coach wouldn't go into great detail, but you could tell he's as concerned with maintaining the long-term momentum of his program as he is benefiting from the cosmetic value of making a bowl this season.

Stanback's absence makes such a difference. But the biggest change is that he doesn't get to finish his make-good attempt. The reformation of Stanback was forced to conclude.

At least you were left with undeniable proof of one thing: The man had resolve. It lasted all the way to his final play.

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