Quarterback: Grade B-

There was all kinds of talk circulating across the country before Saturday’s game about the supposed arrival of Jake Locker. Yet it looks as if Locker, like Steve Sarkisian’s team as a whole, is still a work in progress. Granted, Locker didn’t get much support from his offensive line, receivers or tailback, but his two turnovers were the kinds of plays he’s converted on already this season. A couple of throw-aways change the outcome of this game.

Running back: Grade C+

Washington’s offensive line didn’t do Chris Polk many favors, but the redshirt freshman put his head down and tried to match the physicality of the Cardinal anyway. The end result: 19 carries for 75 yards. The Huskies now rank 94th in the country in rushing offense at 108 yards per game. Could it be time for Steve Sarkisian to loosen his grip on Locker’s legs?

Receivers: Grade C+

With the injury to Devin Aguilar, someone in this group needed to step up. Unfortunately for the Huskies, Jermaine Kearse’s leaping catch and subsequent run into the end zone was really the only notable play for a receiving corps that didn’t seem to bring much to the table Saturday. In his second year, Jordan Polk has yet to show anyone the playmaking abilities he’s been lauded for in practice. Kavario Middleton, meanwhile, is still up and down.

Offensive Line: Grade D

Well, at least it isn’t as bad as it was last year.

Defensive Line: Grade D

Toby Gerhart is pretty good. And, so far this season, the UW’s defense — which is allowing nearly 196 yards rushing per game — has been pretty bad.

Linebackers: Grade C+

See above. Sarkisian can only hope that E.J. Savannah’s plantar fasciitis won’t linger. At least with a foot injury, you can’t make arm wrestling jokes.

Secondary: Grade C+

Justin Glenn had the awareness in the first quarter to take that dropped lateral to the house. With the Cardinal attempting just 14 passes, it was the hang-on-to-Toby-Gerhart’s-ankles show.

Special teams: C+

Giving up a touchdown on the game’s opening kickoff to one of the nation’s best returners was certainly not the way to get this team revved up for its first road game of the year. Turns out, the kick was supposed to go left. But it went right.

“Unfortunately, we called a deep left kick and we kicked it to the right, and our coverage was running left, and he was on the other side,” Sarkisian said.

While players and coaches denied that falling behind so quickly deflated them, it's never easy to win a game on the road when you dig a hole like that right off the bat.

The one positive note has to be the play of Will Mahan, who continues to impress. He averaged over 50 yards per punt Saturday, including a 61-yarder that pinned Stanford back to their own 1-yard line in the second quarter. His 42 yards-per-punt average ranks third in the Pac-10.

Miscellaneous: Stanford’s band — F

Before kickoff Saturday, Stanford’s band aligned to form the word “pork” followed by the word “flu” as someone wearing a papier mache pig costume ran around them. Too soon.

Reach columnist Maks Goldenshteyn at sports@dailyuw.com.