WSU Football | Defining Brink’s legacy
PULLMAN - Husky killer? Or record-setter? Or the quarterback who never got his team to a bowl game?
Saturday’s Apple Cup is likely to determine how Alex Brink is most remembered.
If Brink becomes the first Washington State quarterback to beat Washington three times, his legacy is likely to be Husky killer.
If the Cougars lose, Brink will be remembered one of two ways: 1) By admirers as the quarterback who broke almost every school career record and is on the Pac-10’s all-time top-10 lists for passing yardage (10,514) and touchdowns (71); 2) By critics as the quarterback who never got his team to a bowl game.
Brink said his Cougars career has been one of ups and downs and that the missing item in the resume is at least one bowl game.
“Obviously, it would have been great, but there are no regrets at all,” he said.
Brink arrived at WSU in the summer of 2003 as a skinny quarterback who looked more like a distance runner. He redshirted, got stronger and better, then started for the first time in 2004 at Oregon State because Josh Swogger was injured. He has been in the lineup since.
“I never thought five years ago it would have turned out like this,” he said.
The Apple Cup is the last roundup for Brink and his teammates, and he was eloquent this week in saying how much his teammates mean to him.
Brink said last Saturday’s 52-17 loss to Oregon State, in which he threw six interceptions, “hammered home the point for me that those guys have been by me through thick and thin, and they’ve stayed and never wavered.
“I’ve seen a lot of people waver … but my teammates have always been there for me and my coaches have been there for me, so I’m thankful for them.”
Brink said his teammates “don’t have to say anything” to show support.
“You look a guy in the eye, and he doesn’t turn away. He doesn’t hang his head. He looks at me and looks me right in the eye. It’s a strengthening thing.”
Brink said coach Bill Doba has been a source of strength because of the strength Doba displayed while his wife was dying. Judy Doba died of cancer in April 2006, after a long illness.
“It was good to look at him and see how strong he was through all that and know he was always there for us through everything, no matter what,” Brink said.
Brink will be starting his 40th game Saturday and has a won-lost record of 16-23.
He said he has learned to ignore fan criticism, something he didn’t do earlier.
“It’s the mind of a few who want to voice their opinions and be heard,” he said. “You can’t change how people feel about you as a person or a player. … It’s something I don’t pay attention to and don’t let it affect me anymore.”
Brink will graduate next month, then plans to prepare for the NFL draft. He doesn’t know if he will be drafted or sign as a free agent.
“All I know is that it sounds like I’ll have an opportunity, and that’s all I can ask for,” he said.
That’s all he asked for at Washington State, too.
Craig Smith: 206-464-8279 or csmith@seattletimes.com