Washington coach Steve Sarkisian reviewed his first season Tuesday and he felt that the Huskies final touchdown drive in the season-opener against LSU operated in some ways as a metaphor for the program's growth.

The Huskies dominated that game statistically but still lost 31-23, their final tally as the clock struck zero being mostly an exercise in perseverance.

Of course, that's a quality the program lacked under Tyrone Willingham. The fact that the Huskies played their best football while winning their final two games over Washington State and California by a combined count of 72-10 after they could no longer earn a bowl berth shows that the team persevered even without the motivation of a post-season reward.

"[That showed] we were going to play hard for 60 minutes of football," Sarkisian said. "I think our fans appreciated that drive."

Know what Huskies fans would really appreciate? Quarterback Jake Locker coming back for his senior year.

With Locker, the 2010 Huskies look like a threat to earn a bowl berth and might even get a few votes in the preseason polls.

Without him? Who knows?

That's why Locker's status dominated the news conference instead of a general review of the football program.

Sarkisian said Locker already filed his papers with the NFL Advisory Committee, which will tell Locker that he likely will be a first-round pick this spring if he enters the draft. Sarkisian said he met with Locker Monday to discuss the process, and a final decision probably won't come until next month. The deadline to declare for the NFL draft is Jan. 15.

"He's going to do his due-diligence; he's going to take his time; and he's going to make a decision based on facts and proper information rather than emotion," said Sarkisian, who added that he is "very optimistic" Locker might decide to return.

When a reporter asked why he was optimistic, Sarkisian said "that's just the way I think."

If Locker doesn't return, backup Ronnie Fouch, a rising junior, could become an interesting story.

In 2008, Fouch stepped in for an injured Locker and put up woeful numbers. He completed just 45 percent of his passes with 13 interceptions and four touchdowns. Of course, it was a nearly impossible situation trying to lead a rudderless program, and Sarkisian has repeatedly praised Fouch's improvement.

He said with or without Locker, the Huskies will be aiming for a bowl game in 2010.

"I think our football program is headed in the right direction," he said.