Locker moves offense during UW spring game

SEATTLE – Any questions about Jake Locker’s throwing ability after surgery to repair a broken thumb were quickly put to rest Saturday during Washington’s spring game.

Locker seemed to have a solid grasp of new coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense as well.

Missing on just one pass in each half – both times hitting receivers in the hands – Locker completed 16 of 18 passes for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns as he led the Purple team to a 33-0 win over the White team.

Locker hadn’t seen the field in a game situation since last September, when he broke the thumb on his throwing hand against Stanford, part of the Huskies’ 0-12 record and the worst season in school history. While Saturday’s effort came against the Huskies’ No. 2 defense and in a controlled setting, the performance was what Locker and his coaches wanted to see.

“I felt pretty good throwing the ball. I knew where I was going,” Locker said. “It felt like we were always moving forward, which is good.”

Locker threw touchdown passes of 29 yards to Willie Griffin – sprung by a great downfield block from receiver Devin Aguilar – and 8 yards to Jermaine Kearse on the final play.

An estimated crowd of 10,000 turned out at Husky Stadium.

Sarkisian’s debut was also part of the intrigue. The new coach has enamored Washington supporters with a style that is open to fans and alumni.