D'Andre Goodwin re-emerges at receiver for Huskies

When the new coach arrived nine months ago and promised a brighter future, Steve Sarkisian erased Washington's past. None of it mattered anymore, he said. He wanted the Huskies to forget the 0-12 season in 2008.

"Basically the coaches came in and wiped the slate clean," said junior receiver D'Andre Goodwin, who led UW with three catches for 83 yards in Saturday's 42-23 victory over Idaho at Husky Stadium.

But as bad as 2008 was, there were a few gems among the rubbish.

Goodwin was one of those gems. He started 11 of 12 games. He led Washington with 60 catches and 692 yards. And he was named the offensive MVP after the season.

But when Sarkisian replaced Tyrone Willingham, none of it mattered.

"We all, everybody, had to prove yourself to this new staff," Goodwin said. "Like I said, a blank slate."

It looked as if Goodwin might be a casualty of the coaching change. He suffered a right hamstring injury in training camp, which slowed his learning of the new offense.

When the season started last week, he was on the sideline while freshman James Johnson and sophomore Jordan Polk made their first starts. Goodwin finished with just two catches for 19 yards.

"We understand we're a good corps and coach is going to get the right players on the field for the right plays," Goodwin said. "So there's nothing like [jealousy] at all. We're all pulling for each other."

No longer the star, Goodwin is working within an ensemble of five receivers who share everything from receptions to playing time to accolades.

Last week, Johnson had a team-high six catches and sophomore Devin Aguilar led UW with 76 receiving yards and made the big play, a 46-yard reception.

This week, it was Goodwin's turn to bask in the spotlight.

"It can be any one of us," Johnson said. "That's what's so fun. Jake [Locker] goes out there and he just throws it to the open man. So if you get open, you're getting the ball."

Few people know Locker better than Goodwin. So when he saw the Huskies quarterback scrambling on UW's first drive, he knew what to do and where to go.

"I know what type of quarterback I have," Goodwin said. "He was running around. Our coaches teach us never give up on a play or give up on a route. He was scrambling to the right, and I went with him."

Locker ran right and Goodwin, who lined up far to the left, broke off his route and ran to the right sideline, where Locker connected with him on a 35-yard pass to the Idaho 6. On the next play, Locker ran for a touchdown.

Early in the third quarter, Goodwin hauled in a 20-yard pass from Locker at the Idaho 1. He never caught another pass as Locker connected with nine different receivers.

"We have to fight for your position every week," Goodwin said. "That's good. That's just going to raise the level of competition. I love the way things are going. We're getting better each practice and every game."