PULLMAN – The position coach for suspended Washington State football star Marquess Wilson said he’s “got love” for Wilson, but stopped short of saying he expects Wilson to rejoin the Cougars.
Outside receivers coach Dennis Simmons and head coach Mike Leach said Tuesday that they’ve had no contact with Wilson since WSU’s all-time leading receiver walked out of a demanding team conditioning session Sunday night.
Both coaches said they don’t know if reports are accurate that Wilson may have quit the team.
“Part of me tells me I should probably be more of the adult in the situation and reach out to him,” Simmons said. “But also, part of me feels like in life, you learn things.”
At this point, Wilson is only certain to miss WSU’s next game, a Saturday night contest at home against 18th-ranked UCLA.
“I love these kids like they truly are my kids,” Simmons said. “I want nothing but the best for them on and off the field.”
Simmons added, “I don’t know what the right answer or what the right way to handle this situation is. I’m kind of at a loss.” QB SHAKEUP IN PAC-12
Allan Bridgford prepares each week as if he is the starting quarterback for California.
It appears he could likely get that chance for the Golden Bears against No. 2 Oregon on Saturday because starter Zach Maynard is hampered by an injured left knee. Bridgford took the majority of practice snaps with the first team Tuesday, according to coach Jeff Tedford, while Maynard observed with a brace on his left leg.
Meanwhile, in Stanford, Kevin Hogan has quietly supplanted Josh Nunes under center. Stanford coach David Shaw said the redshirt freshman will make his first start for the Cardinal on Saturday against Oregon State.
“He’s ready,” Shaw said Tuesday. “There are times when a guy just gets it.”
BALL STATE UPSETS NO. 23 TOLEDO
Jahwan Edwards scored untouched on a 15-yard run around left end with 1:43 left to propel Ball State (7-3, 4-2) to a 34-27 victory over No. 23 Toledo on Tuesday night, ending the Rockets’ eight-game winning streak.
Edwards’ run capped an 86-yard drive after Ball State’s beleaguered defense had stopped the Rockets (8-2, 5-1) a yard short on David Fluellen’s run on fourth-and-2 at the Cardinals 15.
Keith Wenning completed 29 of 42 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns, but was intercepted three times for Ball State.
EXTRA POINTS
The Superdome in New Orleans will be the site of the new Sugar Bowl matching the Southeastern Conference and Big 12. The agreement between the leagues and the bowl is for 12 years, with ESPN holding the TV rights. … Ball State tight end David Schneider went down while blocking during Tuesday’s game against Toledo. Doctors put an air cast on his left leg, which appeared to be broken. … Michigan added Arkansas, BYU and Hawaii to its future football schedules Tuesday. – Howie Stalwick, contributing writer
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