PULLMAN – Washington State has never defeated a team coached by Rick Neuheisel, but Cougars athletic director Bill Moos jumped at the chance to get in a friendly jab at the former Washington football coach during Apple Cup week.
The Huskies fired Neuheisel in 2003 for betting on NCAA basketball tournament games and lying about it to NCAA investigators. That gave Moos all the ammunition he needed when asked whether he had bet with Washington AD Scott Woodward on Saturday’s Apple Cup.
“I don’t think you talk to Washington people about betting anymore,” Moos said with a huge grin, “so we’re not going to do that.”
Neuheisel, now the coach at UCLA, is 9-0 against Washington State as the head coach at Colorado, Washington and UCLA.
SENIORS SALUTED
The Cougars will tie the Pacific-12 Conference record of 40 losses in four years (dating to the league’s first season in 1916 as the Pacific Coast Conference) if they end the season with a loss Saturday. Still, coach Paul Wulff said WSU’s seniors “laid a great foundation of work ethic and commitment for all the young players.”
One of the most impressive seniors, on and off the field, has been wide receiver Jared Karstetter.
“I couldn’t have asked for anybody stronger mentally to be able to help grow our program than him,” Wulff said.
Karstetter has caught passes in 38 consecutive games and is tied for third in WSU history with 18 touchdown catches. The Spokane native has earned numerous honors for accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
“He’s a great competitor,” Wulff said. “He’s a winner in everything he does.”
WULFF SUPPORT
Moos has yet to announce whether Wulff will be retained for the fifth and final year of his contract. Junior defensive end Travis Long wants Wulff back.
“I don’t want a new coach for my senior year,” Long said. “I like our coaching staff.”
LAST AGAIN
The Cougars have clinched a third last-place finish in a row, following two 10th-place finishes in the Pac-10 with a sixth-place finish in the Pac-12 North Division.
WSU finished next to last in 2007 and ’08.
Washington State, which joined the Pacific Coast Conference in 1917, finished last three consecutive years once before (1998-2000). The next three WSU teams all won 10 games and played in bowl games.
INJURY REPORT
Quarterback Connor Halliday was released from Pullman Regional Hospital on Tuesday. He suffered a lacerated liver in Saturday’s game with Utah.
Wulff said he’s hopeful starting offensive tackles David Gonzales and Dan Spitz will be able to practice today. Both have ankle injuries.
As a backup plan, North Mason High School graduate John Fullington has moved from left guard to left tackle in practice. Versatile senior Andrew Roxas has stepped in at guard. Jake Rodgers remains at right tackle, where he started last week for Spitz.
Fullington started five games at left tackle as a true freshman last season.
EXTRA POINTS
Rain and temperatures in the 40s are in the forecast for Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. kickoff. … Upper-level seats at CenturyLink Field are available. … Washington is favored by nine points.
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