Oct. 23, 2002
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Sophomore Steve Nichols (Stevenson) will make the first start of his career at quarterback for Western Washington University on Saturday (1 p.m.) when the Vikings host Humboldt State University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game at Civic Stadium.
Nichols, who has seen action at quarterback in four of six games this season, replaces junior Josh Shimek (Pasco), who had started every game this year and took every snap in last week's 35-28 overtime loss at undefeated Central Washington.
Nichols has completed 27-of-41 passes (65.9 percent) for 337 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He saw action as a backup in six games last year, completing 13-of-28 passes for 175 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
"Josh will still play, and he's done some good things this year, but he's struggled with his mechanics, and I think Steve deserves a chance," said head coach Rob Smith. "That's the only reason. I just feel like Steve has taken to the backup job very well and I think he deserves a chance to start."
In six games this season, Shimek has passed for 1,208 yards and 11 touchdowns with just three interceptions.
The Vikings are 4-2 overall and ranked No.9 in the West Region of NCAA Division II, but have lost two straight games. To have a realistic chance of reaching the national playoffs, they need to win their four remaining regular-season games.
