University of Washington sophomore quarterback and former Mercer Island standout Jeff Lindquist earned the starting nod over redshirt freshman Troy Williams for the Huskies’ Aug. 30 opener at Hawaii. It will be Lindquist’s first career start for the Huskies.

“I just want to help the team win when I can,” Lindquist said in an interview with the Reporter earlier this month. “The big goal with earning the job is to give it everything I’ve got and see where the cards fall where they may.”

UW head coach Chris Peterson praised both Williams and Lindquist after announcing the team’s starter. According to news reports, Peterson noted fewer errors on the field helped give Lindquist the edge.

Lindquist and Williams had been splitting starting quarterback snaps since the spring, after it was announced sophomore teammate and expected starter Cyler Miles was suspended for UW’s season opener. Miles was suspended for one game for his alleged involvement in an altercation following the Super Bowl last February.

Lindquist finished his career at Mercer Island with 6,061 passing yards while rushing for 2,520 yards. As a senior, he completed 141 of 255 passes for 1,916 yards, throwing for 22 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions.

According to local news reports, the UW coaching staff plans to re-evaluate the quarterback position after the opening game.