Alex Brink deserves this win

Note to reader: This column was published in the Nov. 18 edition of the Daily Evergreen's sports weekend.

It has been a rocky season for WSU redshirt junior quarterback Alex Brink. He has played in an offense that has suffered injuries at virtually every position, while fending off sophomore backup Gary Rogers and fans calling for a quarterback switch.

While playing through these factors, Brink seems unfazed and as focused as ever. The result? Brink has enjoyed great success and, most importantly, he has become a winner along the way.

This weekend’s much anticipated Apple Cup is at a level it has never been at before. Not only will the Cougars be fighting to get into a bowl game they have strove for all season long, but a victory would mark the first time in school history that WSU has won the rivalry game in three consecutive seasons.

And who led the Cougars to triumphs over the Huskies these past two seasons? Brink did.

With a victory on Saturday, Brink will have accomplished a feat no other WSU quarterback has. And that is no minor feat.

Former Cougars quarterback Drew Bledsoe defeated UW once, and Ryan Leaf did so twice. Two other WSU legends, Jack Thompson and Jason Gesser, never led their team to an Apple Cup victory.

However, Brink has the opportunity to win his third Apple Cup, which would amount to the total number of victories of Bledsoe, Leaf, Thompson and Gesser combined in the Apple Cup.

Nonetheless, chants for Rogers are still heard after every simple mistake Brink makes. Unbelievable.

This is Brink’s team. Rogers’ time will come, but Brink’s time is now and has been all season.

Brink isn’t there yet, but with one year of eligibility left, he has a chance to join the upper echelon of WSU quarterbacks.

After the Arizona State game last weekend, Brink needs 101 completions, 2,064 yards and 23 touchdown passes to surpass Jason Gesser’s school records in those three categories. He could also become the only quarterback in school history to lead the Cougars to four Apple Cup victories.

So what’s not to like about Brink?

Many believe Rogers’ arm strength and size gives him an advantage over Brink. This may be true, but Brink has those special, intangible skills coaches love to have in their quarterbacks.

He makes smart decisions, creates plays and is a natural leader. Oh, and his 57.1-percent career completion percentage isn’t too bad, either.

As the Huskies struggle with their current quarterback situation for the Apple Cup, the Cougars' decision at quarterback has been obvious all season long.

Brink is the right guy for the Cougars’ offense right now. No one else could have led this team the way Brink has. No one else could have led this offense the way Brink does.

And if all goes well on Saturday, no one else will have won in the Apple Cup as much as Brink has.

There would be no better ending to Brink's season than beating the Huskies. What Brink has been through, and how he has handled himself and the team this season, is admirable. He deserves this victory.