PULLMAN – Coach Paul Wulff, who said earlier in the week that Marshall Lobbestael would remain the starter at quarterback for at least one more game, on Thursday would not rule out having Jeff Tuel start Saturday against seventh-ranked Stanford (Vs., 4:30 p.m.).
“We’re still going through everything,” Wulff said on Thursday. “There’s a high probability that he (Lobbestael) could (start).”
Even if Tuel does not start, Wulff said, “chances are he’ll play.”
Tuel, who earned the starting job from Lobbestael midway through the 2009 season, broke his left collar bone in the season opener against Idaho State.
The two quarterbacks have shared time with the No. 1 offense in practice this week. Tuel was not cleared for games until this week.
Although Lobbestael has played well in Tuel’s absence, Tuel is more mobile, a key factor because Stanford (5-0 overall, 3-0 Pacific-12 Conference) has a strong pass rush.
Wulff said starting right offensive tackle Wade Jacobson will miss a second straight game with lower back problems. It’s possible Jacobson will need season-ending surgery, Wulff said. Dan Spitz is again set to start in Jacobson’s place.
EXTRA POINTS
The Cougars may be down to their third-sting defensive end on one side. Wulff said Lenard Williams is questionable after suffering a neck injury in practice Monday. Williams started the past two games in place of Adam Coerper, who remains out with a knee injury. Jordan Pu’u-Robinson and former starting tight end Skylar Stormo are candidates to start if Williams can’t go, Wulff said. …
More injury updates: outside linebacker Sekope Kaufusi is expected to start despite injuring a shoulder last week against UCLA, and punt returner Leon Brooks likely will miss a second straight game with a shoulder injury. Matt Goetz, who took over as the starting center two games ago when Andrew Roxas was sidelined with an ankle injury, is expected to remain in the starting lineup.
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