Pete Carroll fielded questions from the media as he always does on Tuesdays, but his most interesting comment came in his opening remarks about the Huskies QB and offense.

“Isaiah Stanback is a great player and we’ve watched him grow up through the years. He’s been through some hard times and he’s benefited from the lessons and all he’s learned and he’s played very well with his team. He’s as good a big time threat as we’re going to face all season. In the style of offense that they feature him, he’s the whole show. Run and pass, the ball is in his hands all the time. They’ve developed a very good running game along with him to make this a very formidable offensive attack and one that we’re going to get checked out on. “

Carroll has a bit of soft spot for this Isaiah kid because he recruited the crap out of him, but he eventually went to UW because USC wanted him as an athlete not a QB. Needless to say, this guy is a far better mobile QB than say Arkansas’ Robert Johnson.

On the wide receiver situation and where freshman Vidal Hazelton fits in:

“With Chris McFoy being banged up, it just calls on the necessity for Vidal Hazelton and Travon Patterson to step up. They’ve got to grow up real fast. A week ago, we knew that they were going to have to be involved a lot more. We really increased their focus and their attention and the reps that they were getting at practice with the thought that we may have to call on them soon and sure enough, here it is.”

On senior defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis

“He’s one of our best players. We’ve played without him for a few weeks here and we’ve missed him. Fili Moala has really stepped up and done real well, however, Sedrick is our best nose tackle so to get him back for the running game and the pass rush is a great benefit to us.”

On the Pac-10 race

“I didn’t make any predictions. I didn’t know how it was going to go. But I think it’s very tough. I think it’s very difficult. I think it’s going to be challenging for all of us, all the way along.”