UW coach Tyrone Willingham has concluded his daily meeting with the media. The biggest news is that tight end Michael Gottlieb almost certainly won't make the trip to Eugene while still recovering from a hamstring injury suffered Aug. 11.

"He will not make it at this time,'' Willingham said before heading out to practice, a status that seems unlikely to change. That leaves the TE spot in the hands of Walt Winter, Kavario Middleton and Chris Izbicki, though Willingham said it could open up even more time for Middleton, the most-heralded recruit in UW's Class of 2008.

"He could be one of those guys who begins to share the lion's share of the time,'' Willingham said.

Also crossed off the 64-man travel roster for this game is safety Jason Wells, who has been limited throughout camp while attempting to recover from a knee injury suffered last year against USC. "He won't make this trip,'' Willingham said.

In other notes:

--- Willingham was asked about Johnie Kirton's progress to defensive tackle and said that while he may not see a lot of action immediately "he's done a decent job of it and I think he'll be fine by the time the season is over.''

--- Willingham said not to necessarily read a lot into the 64-man travel roster as to who will redshirt and who won't. He said "battles will be ongoing throughout the year'' and that there are players who won't be on that travel roser who "could be in contention for a starting spot'' by the time the year is over.''

--- Willingham said Josh Gage and Nick Scott have each been awarded scholarships for this season as walk-ons. Gage was reportedly put on scholarship a while ago and is essentially considered as a scholarship by now. Scott is the OT from Drake who is now the backup at left tackle.

--- Asked about the team busing to Oregon, Willingham pointed out that the Huskies also bused to Oregon State last year and "the next week we played one of our best games of the year'' referring to the victory over Cal.

--- Asked about Justin Roper, Willingham said he thinks the Huskies "will not see just one quarterback'' but could see several, and that Oregon might also unveil some lineups "that do not even involve a QB.''

All for now.