Big Win Creates Opportunities For Backups
September 11, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Chris Petersen has a simple philosophy when it comes to the players on his team. Washington's coach believes that, once you are on the roster, you are part of the family.
So, when a walk-on receives a scholarship, there isn't a lot of fanfare among the Huskies.
"We just don't make a big deal about whether they're a scholarship guy or not," Petersen. "If you're in that locker room, you're a part of this family. We're all equally important."
With that in mind, when senior offensive lineman Michael Kneip stepped out of the locker room for a postgame interview after Washington's 59-14 over Idaho on Saturday, the former walk-on neglected to mention he had been awarded a scholarship.
It was his position coach, Chris Strausser, who brought it up.
"That's something he definitely deserves," Strausser said. "He's really done a very, very solid job as the backup center."
For Kneip, the scholarship is great, but now in his fifth year, getting the chance to play football on a Saturday afternoon is what keeps the center working hard.
"I love it," he said. "It's so much fun just going out there after all the hard work we've put in. It's awesome, a dream come true."
In a lopsided win, there are opportunities for players who don't typically see the field. It's a time for young players to get experience, for walk-ons to be rewarded for their work in practice and a chance for backups to get important reps.
"It's critical, because some of those other guys we're going to need down the road," Petersen said. "They might not be starting right now or getting significant snaps, but this is such a long season and we know how history goes.
"They've got to win for us, so it's good to get them in the game."
Before the game, Strausser told a few of his backup linemen to be ready to play. Kneip, who is Coleman Shelton's backup, was one of those instructed to prepare for significant time on the field.
"It's cool with the five guys who are out there," Kneip said. "We're like brothers. We've put in tons of work. The second-string guys don't get tons of playing time, but when we do, it's fun to go out there and just cut it loose, show what we have to offer the team.
"We did some good stuff today. We're happy."
Another player who made the most of his opportunity was receiver John Gardner. When it is time for the sophomore to take the field, the Huskies are often focused on running the football.
He didn't expect to see a ball thrown his way, let alone catch one. But that's exactly what happened. His name landed in the box score, one of 10 Washington receivers who caught a pass against Idaho.
"I'm always trying to work hard," he said. "That's what I do in practice every day. Whenever my name is called, I'm just going to go out there and give my best."
When Gardner realized a passing play had been called, he briefly thought, "This could be it."
Then, when quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels looked his way as Gardner settled into his beak he thought, "Oh my God."
And then, the only thing on his mind was catching the ball.
The moment was special. But the individual accomplishment took a back seat to another win for the family.
"It's already worth it to be a part of a team like this," Gardner said. "I love this team. I love making the teammates around me better, making myself better. Then something like that happens and you're just happy, you know things have gone well."
