SAN DIEGO – No long winning streak is on the line. No conference title is up for grabs. No bowl bid hangs in the balance.
Nonetheless, Washington State linebacker Sekope Kaufusi said today’s game at San Diego State is crucial for the Cougars.
“This is a must-win for us,” Kaufusi said. “A lot of the teammates, we talk. This is the game that’s gonna really lead us into that right path.
“There’s a game in your schedule, I feel, where you can either take that right path or that wrong path. After this week, I think we’re going to bring a lot of good things to this program pretty soon.”
San Diego State, 2-0 like WSU, returns 12 starters off a 9-4 team that won the Poinsettia Bowl last year. The Aztecs are definitely a step up from the young, rebuilding teams WSU has clobbered the past two weeks.
“This team’s a lot more mature, a lot older,” Kaufusi said.
“They’re a good team,” WSU running back Rickey Galvin said. “They’re faster than the two teams we’ve played.”
The Aztecs have a quality quarterback in senior Ryan Lindley, and speedy wide receiver Colin Lockett has averaged 24.4 yards on eight catches. Miles Burris, a senior outside linebacker, led the Mountain West with 9.5 tackles per game last year.
San Diego State’s marquee player is sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman.
He entered the week ranked second in the nation with 306 rushing yards.
“Hillman is one of the best running backs in the West, and their quarterback is a pro prospect,” WSU coach Paul Wulff said. “He’s got a great arm.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Aztecs are favored by 51/2 points. … Two WSU starters, defensive tackle Toni Pole (knee) and center Andrew Roxas (ankle), could be limited or absent. … Sunny, mid-60s weather is in the forecast. … Aztecs athletic director Jim Sterk, a former Washington State AD, predicts a crowd in the mid- to high 50,000s. The Cougars have drawn 49,052 for two home games. … WSU’s Marshall Lobbestael, subbing for the injured Jeff Tuel, has passed for 591 yards and seven touchdowns. “I think he throws it better than the starter,” Aztecs coach Rocky Long said of Lobbestael. … Long was promoted from defensive coordinator when Brady Hoke took the Michigan job after last season. … The Cougars were 0-19 outside Pullman (counting two home games in Seattle) under Wulff before downing Oregon State in their final road game last year. … The Aztecs have lost 19 in a row to current Pacific-12 Conference teams. … San Diego State started the week ranked sixth in pass defense at 95 yards a game and 114th (out of 120 teams) in run defense with a 270-yard average, but both statistics are misleading. The Aztecs’ first two opponents (Cal Poly and Army) are triple-option teams that stress the run. … WSU has a bye next week, then opens Pac-12 play at Colorado (0-2). … San Diego State hasn’t started 3-0 since 1981, the Cougars since 2005.
COUGARS GAMEDAY
WASHINGTON STATE (2-0) AT SAN DIEGO STATE (2-0)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego.
TV: None. Radio: 770-AM, 1240-AM, 104.3-FM.
The series: WSU leads, 1-0, defeating the Aztecs, 45-17, in 2007 in Seattle.
What to watch: WSU’s offensive and defensive lines, much maligned in recent years, have been dominant against two inferior teams. Now the Cougars face bigger, better, more experienced linemen. “Our (defensive) front seven is playing way better than we thought they would,” WSU defensive coordinator Chris Ball said. WSU’s speedy linebackers must help contain star running back Ronnie Hillman. “You’re going to definitely need some speed when you’re trying to go and play with the Cougs,” WSU middle linebacker C.J. Mizell said. Cougars quarterback Marshall Lobbestael, spectacular thus far in relief of injured quarterback Jeff Tuel, figures to face far more defensive pressure than in the first two games.
What’s at stake: The Cougars will quiet some of the doubters if they can knock off a quality opponent like San Diego State on the road. The Aztecs have something to prove, too, because they’ve lost 19 straight to current Pac-12 teams.
The pick: Washington State, 35-31.
PRIME NUMBERS
WASHINGTON STATE
No.Name (position)Height/weightYear
8 Marshall Lobbestael (QB) 6-3/215 Senior Has completed nearly 75 percent of his passes for 591 yards, 7 TDs, 0 interceptions.
86 Marquess Wilson (WR) 6-4/183 Sophomore Leads team with 9 receptions, 193 receiving yards, 2 TD catches (tied).
12 C.J. Mizell (MLB) 6-2/227 Sophomore Leads team with 2 quarterback sacks, tied for lead with 11 tackles.
17 Alex Hoffman-Ellis (OLB) 6-1/231 Senior Has 10 tackles, 2 QB sacks, 2 QB hurries, 1 TD on interception return.
SAN DIEGO STATE
No.Name (position)Height/weightYear
13 Ronnie Hillman (RB) 5-10/190 Sophomore Has rushed for 306 yards (6.8 per carry) and 4 touchdowns.
14 Ryan Lindley (QB) 6-4/230 Senior Has passed for 349 yards, 5 TDs, 0 interceptions.
9 Miles Burris (OLB) 6-3/235 Senior Led Mountain West with 9.5 tackles per game last season.
94 Jerome Long (DT) 6-5/285 Senior Career-high 10 tackles last week versus Army.
Howie Stalwick, contributing writer
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