An Apple Cup victory allowed the Washington football program to finish the season on a positive note. Suffering another losing record, the team fell short of its goals but is ready to move forward to the 2007 season.

The coaching staff is preparing to continue the recruiting process, but Coach Tyrone Willingham had a special request for his players.

"We hope that they will take this time to get home for Thanksgiving and really enjoy their blessings," he said. "I think it's amazing that sometimes you don't count them. There is one everyday out there for us."

The players will return in the winter to begin preparation — physically and mentally — for the '07 opener against Syracuse.

In the off-season, many eyes will be on redshirt freshman Jake Locker at the quarterback position.

Willingham admitted that he was "very excited about him," but acknowledged that the Ferndale, Wash., product will need time to develop and mature.

Nonetheless, Locker has impressed the team with his positive attitude.

"He is a young man that has really enjoyed that type of position, and type of pressure and that type of responsibility," Willingham said.

Quarterback Isaiah Stanback, who had to watch his final college games from the sidelines, was quick to praise Locker.

Stanback, who has given the freshman tips on scrambling and reading defenses, insisted that the youngster is going to be something special.

"I tell people all the time he's going to be way better than me just because of the talent he has and the kind of person he is," said Stanback, who still has his eye on the NFL.

The senior also mentioned that Locker has a benefit that he never did.

"He's going to have the same coaches," Stanback said. "That's one thing I wish I could've had, just because, the progress I made in one year with this coaching staff."

The team seeks to improve at every position and develop a feel for the game. To replace a senior class graduating many leaders, Willingham said that recruiting efforts would focus on the cornerback position, offensive line depth, finding a dominant pass rusher and strong safety.

"There's no area that we don't need to improve," Willingham said.

The Husky coach insisted the next season's success will be driven by the players we have seen much of this season. Citing players like Greyson Gunheim and Dan Howell, Willingham said the improvement of the returning players would be critical.

Regardless, Stanback admitted that he was very impressed with this season's freshman class.

"The coaches did a really good job of recruiting these guys, because they have a work ethic I haven't seen before," he said. "They all work hard and none of them complain."

In other notes, Willingham expected running back J.R. Hasty to contribute greatly in the run game and also expects his entire coaching staff to return.

Acknowledging that the team has much to learn and improve upon, Willingham — who was extremely proud of his team's performance at WSU — was optimistic for next season.

"The direction that we're going is very positive," he said.

Columnist Joshua Mayers: joshuamayers@thedaily.washington.edu