UCal-Washington State: Cougars Claw It Out with Rejuvenated Bears This Week

Washington State, fresh off their bye week, will return to the practice field and prepare for their next Pac-10 game against the University Of California on Oct. 24.

Cougars Head Coach Paul Wulff is counting on getting some players back from a variety of injuries.

Specifically, Coach Wulff would like to see some offensive lineman return to the lineup for a very thin OL unit. Thin might be the goal of Jennie Craig folks, but it usually spells trouble for football teams.

The Cougs will take on the Cal Bears next Saturday down in Berkeley. Coach Jeff Tedord's team is coming off a convincing victory over a UCLA team that has been playing good defense much of the season.

Defense?

Cal torched the Bruins defense for 494 yards of offense with a number of big plays, including a 93-yard touchdown blast by All-American candidate Jahvid Best .

Quarterback Kevin Riley was very efficient with the football tossing three TD passes without giving up an interception.

The challenge for Washington State looks tougher today than it did before the Cal/UCLA game. It would appear that a bye week for Cal was exactly what they needed to return playing the level of football expected of them before the season began.

Things were getting so bad around Berkeley, fans and media were grousing about Coach Tedford's ability to lead a team. Such rantings are commonplace when a team has yet to win a conference game after two tries. Well, the Bears now have earned their first conference win and will look to double that total when they host WSU this coming Saturday.

Depending on your perspective, the news coming out of the Rose Bowl after the 45-26 victory by Cal isn't all bad.

If you're a WSU fan, the Bear defense gave up a lot of yardage to a UCLA offense that has been racked by injuries all season long.

If you're a Cal fan, no matter about the Bear defense being porous. Washington State is last in the Pac-10 when it comes to total offense.

Yes, Coach Wulff could use some offensive linemen with experience to return from injuries. There may be some word on that later tonight. Rather than continue a propensity for speculation on who will "likely" be back this week, let's hold tight for word from the head coach.

Speaking of coaches for the Cougs, they have been on the recruiting trails most of this week. With 14 student/athletes already verbally committing to Coach Wulff, he mentioned last Sunday that there might be another top high school prospect going crimson this week.

Barry Bolton of Cougfan.com broke news today that Marquess Wilson will be playing his college football at Washington State. Bolton is always right when it comes to making such calls. That being the case, Wilson has chosen WSU over offers from top FBS programs including Arizona State, Fresno State and Nevada.

Help is on the way for WSU, justifying a high level of patience.

Some of that help will be suiting up to take the field next Saturday against a very good Cal team.

Add to players returning another significant factor in the rebuilding of Cougar football. There's a wealth of experience already gained by a host of first and second year players Coach Wulff has pressed into action.

Bring on the Bears!

Former Cougs Enjoying Gridiron Success

It wasn't long ago that Coach Robb Akey was leaping and exhorting Washington State defensive units for Coach Mike Price and Coach Bill Doba. When the opportunity to take over the football program at the University of Idaho, he jumped at the chance.

Named head coach of the Vandals on Dec. 20, 2006, their fourth head coach in four years, Coach Akey has turned things around for Idaho. He has the Vandals in first place with a perfect 3-0 mark in the Western Athletic Conference and 6-1 on the season.

Idaho defeated Hawaii in Moscow Saturday by a final score of 35-23.

The second leading rusher for Idaho against the Warriors was former WSU running back DeMaundry Woolridge who carried the ball 17 times for 81 yards.

Good to see these two having a great season.

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