SEATTLE -- It's really the last thing for Keith Price still to prove.

The flash came last year in the most difficult of circumstances when Price -- then a redshirt freshman for Washington -- was asked to make his first college start against the No. 1 team in the country -- Oregon -- on the road.

But that was as unique a situation as Price could be put in, a one-off performance while filling in for an injured Jake Locker.

The real moment when Price takes center stage as the next in line in the Huskies' lengthy quarterback lineage comes Saturday night, when UW opens the season against Eastern Washington.

It will conclude a three-year journey for Price, who originally committed to come north from Southern California when Tyrone Willingham was the head coach and the Huskies ran a modified spread offense that catered to Price's skills.

None of what Price committed to join at UW remains, but that doesn't matter to Price.

"I just love playing football," he said. "I'm willing to adjust my game a little bit, and it's helping me."

Price threw one clutch touchdown pass last season in the Huskies' road upset of USC. He made his lone start at then-No. 1 Oregon last November, when he went 14-of-28 for 127 yards and one touchdown.

Otherwise, it has all been spot or mop-up duty for Price, making Saturday night a curiosity for the UW faithful.

"You never know," coach Steve Sarkisian said. "The lights are on, and it's your team. I expect him to play well, but I'm still curious."

Obituary: Former Walla Walla High School standout Brent Wooten, who played football at UW and was head coach at Eastern Washington (1968-70), died Monday at age 72 after a lengthy illness.