PULLMAN – Win or lose, the Washington State Cougars have 11 games left on their schedule after today’s season opener with Stanford.
The impact of the first game, however, could have a lasting impact on WSU players, coaches and fans.
A victory or even a solid performance in defeat could go a long way toward erasing some of the more gruesome memories of a wretched 2008 season.
The Cougars say they are stronger physically and mentally and more united as a team.
It remains to be seen if any traces of damaged psyches remain from last year’s 58-0 loss at Stanford.
“I sure hope not,” Washington State coach Paul Wulff said. “I don’t believe it should.
“That’s been so long ago. Past history, we don’t really think about. These players have worked extremely hard to turn the page, and the coaches and I believe we’ve done that.”
The Cougars are a consensus pick to finish alone in last place in the Pacific-10 Conference for the first time since 1999 (WSU tied for last in 2005 and 2000).
Stanford, a middle-of-the-pack pick, hopes to snap a seven-year string of losing seasons and go to a bowl game for the first time since a 2001 appearance in the old Seattle Bowl.
The key to Stanford’s season – and today’s game – may be Toby Gerhart.
Wulff calls Gerhart “one of the best running backs in the Pac-10, if not the country.”
As a junior last season, Gerhart ran for 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns – including 132 yards and four touchdowns in barely one half against a WSU team that finished last in the nation in run defense.
“They’re 100 percent committed to running the ball quite often,” Wulff said, “so this is going to be a heck of a challenge for our defense to be stout against the run.
“We’re not going to be able to necessarily stop Toby. Our key is to slow him down dramatically, hopefully stop him on some third-down runs.”
The Cougars were severely hindered by injuries and inexperience last season.
This year’s team is still lacking experience and has few players who are considered to be all-conference candidates.
Senior Kevin Lopina was a late pick as WSU’s starting quarterback.
Wulff said sophomore Marshall Lobbestael likely will share time with Lopina running WSU’s no-huddle offense.
“We went with Kevin to start the game because of his experience,” Wulff said.
Lopina and Lobbestael took their first college snaps last season.
Lopina, dealing with a variety of injuries, started eight games and threw 11 interceptions and no touchdown passes.
Stanford’s starting quarterback is Andrew Luck, a blue-chip recruit (and son of former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck) with size, a strong arm, good mobility and a maturity beyond his years.
“He doesn’t act like a redshirt freshman,” Gerhart said. “He’s like someone who has been here three or four years. He makes all the correct audibles. He has done a great job.”
The Cougars and Cardinal are short on team speed. Stanford improved its speed on defense by shifting some players from offense and utilizing a handful of players both ways.
“Stanford’s a very good team,” WSU senior safety Xavier Hicks said. “We’re good as well. We’re very good, especially after having Coach Wulff’s staff for a year.
“We’ve gotten closer. We’ve gotten stronger. Last year, a lot of guys were on the fence on buying in: ‘Is this new coaching staff going to like me?’
“This year, everyone’s buying in. Whatever he (Wulff) says, we believe.”
Sun and temperatures in the low 80s are forecast for the 3 p.m. kickoff at Martin Stadium.
Extra points
Wulff scrapped tentative plans for full-season captains and opted for weekly captains for the second consecutive year. Two seniors, linebacker Andy Mattingly and center Kenny Alfred, are today’s captains. ... Wulff, continuing his efforts to bolster connections between past and present Cougars, will have a former player or coach serve as honorary captain at each home game. The selected individual, whose name will not be released until game day, will come out of the Martin Stadium tunnel on to the field prior to the game. ... WSU sophomore Tyree Toomer, a key reserve safety, required surgery on his torn pectoral surgery and will redshirt. ... WSU has sold approximately 24,000 tickets for next Saturday’s “home” game with Hawaii at Qwest Field in Seattle. Another 5,600 tickets are reserved for students with all-sports passes. Ticket sales for the Seattle game are usually strong the week of the game. ... A number of WSU recruits are expected to attend the opener, including two-way lineman Maxx Forde of Woodinville High. Forde’s father, Brian, set the WSU record for tackles in one game with 28 against California in 1985.
cougars gameday
STANFORD (0-0, 0-0) AT WASHINGTON STATE (0-0, 0-0)
Kickoff: 3 p.m., Martin Stadium
TV: FSN Radio: 850-AM, 1240-AM, 1030-AM
The series: Stanford leads, 33-25-1. The Cougars have won two of the past three.
What to watch: WSU’s starting defensive line is expected to consist of a true freshman, two junior college transfers and a part-time starter from last season. That could prove fatal against a run-oriented team led by senior Toby Gerhart, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound wrecking ball who ran for four touchdowns in the first half of last year’s 58-0 rout of WSU. ... The Cougars also figure to rely heavily on their running game this year. Dwight Tardy has led WSU in rushing three straight years; California transfer James Montgomery looks sharp, and Logwone Mitz is another running back who shows flashes of brilliance. … Both teams have question marks at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Andrew Luck, highly touted, has replaced senior Tavita Pritchard (a two-year starter from Clover Park High) at Stanford. Senior Kevin Lopina and sophomore Marshall Lobbestael, who both struggled with injuries last season, are again expected to split time as WSU’s quarterback, at least in the early going.
What’s at stake: The Cougars say they’ve matured physically and mentally since last year, when blowout losses were the norm. A lopsided loss right out of the chute could be devastating. Stanford hopes for a quick start, because the Cardinal finishes the regular season with four games against teams currently ranked in the Top 25.
TNT pick: Stanford, 31-24
Prime numbers
STANFORD
7 Toby Gerhart, RB, 6-1/235, Senior
A bulldozer with brains, Gerhart is a pro football and baseball prospect.
12 Andrew Luck, QB, 6-4/235, Freshman
The son of former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck has all the tools.
63 Chris Marinelli, OT, 6-7/300, Senior
Must help two redshirt freshmen starters on the offensive line.
80 Erik Lorig, DE, 6-4/275, Senior
On watch list for Hendricks Award for DE of the year.
22 Bo McNally, FS, 6-0/210, Senior
Team leader in tackles each of the past two seasons.
WSU
69 Kenny Alfred, C, 6-2/289, Senior
On watch list for Rimington Trophy for nation’s best center.
31 Dwight Tardy, RB, 5-11/204, Senior
Appears to be fully recovered from 2007 knee operation.
21 James Montgomery, RB, 5-10/193, Junior
Transfer from Cal was a blue-chip recruit out of high school.
45 Andy Mattingly, OLB, 6-4/249, Senior
After struggle at DE, blitz-happy linebacker should spice up pass rush.
3 Brandon Jones, CB, 5-9/183, Junior
Cal transfer figures to be key in young secondary.
Howie Stalwick, For The News Tribune
