WSU Football: Four Cougars Named to Mid-Season All-Pac-10 Team

W ashington State is midway through the 2009 football schedule. Frankly, it's been rough going for Coach Paul Wulff and the Cougs, who are in the second year of a rebuilding program.

Not only have the Cougs improved their team play this season, there are some individuals who have earned national attention.

Phil Steele's College Football  magazine announced the mid-season selections for All-Pac 10 Friday afternoon.

Four Washington State players were named on Phil Steele's list: Reid Forrest , Kenny Alfred , Travis Long and Chima Nwachuwku .

Coach Wulff's punter, redshirt junior Reid Forrest of Ephrata, WA, was named first team. Forrest has been somewhat of an overlooked weapon on WSU special teams. His efforts will be more noticeable as the Cougs stay closer in games the rest of the schedule this year.

Forrest is equally adept at punting conventionally for hang time and rugby style to put pressure on an opponent's return team. He currently ranks third in the conference and 17th nationally in punting, averaging 43.9 yards per punt. His seven punts of 50-plus yards ranks second in the Pac-10. A complete athlete, Forrest is a danger to pull down the ball and run if there isn't a decent punt rush put on him.

Senior Kenny Alfred was named second team at center. His leadership on the offensive line has been helpful with the rotation of players at guard and tackle because of injury. The last few games, the only fellow lineman with significant game experience has been Micah Hannam . Coach Wulff has been forced to play freshmen before they are physically ready for Pac-10 play at the level he expects the Cougs to play at.

Alfred is like having a coach on the field to help his younger teammates learn on-the-job. In the first six games this season, Alfred has been named outstanding offensive player five times. Doing the math equates to respect from coaches, teammates, and opponents. He is also on the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the second straight year, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding center.

Chima Nwachukwu (pictured left) has played excellent football over the course of the first half this season. The junior safety was named third team All-Pac 10. He is leading WSU in tackles with 45, of which 31 are solo tackles.

Nwachukwu has an interception and recovered two fumbles along with a forced fumble. The junior from Allen, TX is a versatile defensive back who has been called upon to play both safety and cornerback due to injuries to teammates. Regardless of where he lines up in the defensive backfield, Nwachukwu is a player.

One of the truly bright spots for the Cougs on defense this

season has been the play of Travis Long (pictured right) at defensive end. Long was named third team All-Pac 10 and was one of only two true freshman put on the 84-man list.

Last season, Long was playing high school football up in Spokane for Gonzaga Prep. He has started all six games for Coach Wulff this season. Long leads all defensive linemen in tackles with 27, 19 of which are solo. Three of those tackles are for a loss, with two being quarterback sacks.

Ask any of these Washington State players about being named for such honors and it's likely they would much rather be mentioned in connection with winning football games.

When the team returns from their bye week, all focus will be on just that. Preparation to win a football game down in Berkeley, CA against the Cal Bears.

Originally published in Lew Wright's column on Examiner.com