BERKELEY, Calif. – Paul Wulff’s dream job turned into a nightmare by his second game as coach of the Washington State Cougars.

Wulff, a standout center during his playing days at WSU, watched in horror last year as the Cougars dropped a 66-3 decision to California in Wulff’s first game coaching in Pullman.

“Embarrassing! Embarrassing!” a leather-lunged fan shouted at the Cougars as they trudged off the field.

Wulff said “it’s pretty obvious we’re a lot better” on defense this season, but the Cougars remain too young, slow and inept on both sides of the ball.

The Cougars rank a distant last in the Pac-10 in scoring (14.8 points per game), total yards (266.0), points against (35.0) and total yards allowed (489.7).

California, the Pac-10 leader with with 32.8 points per game, is favored by 35 over WSU this afternoon at venerable Memorial Stadium. The Bears return the same two speedy, big-play running backs who smoked WSU last year – Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen.

“You haven’t seen a lot of those big plays against our defense, particularly in the running game, this year,” Wulff said. “Now, we’re facing a different animal.

“This is our biggest test by far in terms of facing a great runner with great speed like Jahvid Best and Vereen.”

Best ran 80 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage last year at WSU. He wound up with 200 yards and three touchdowns (including an 86-yarder) on 14 carries after sitting out most of the second half. Vereen gained 80 yards on nine carries and scored on a 39-yard run.

“Last year, our safeties ended up having whiplash after the game, they (the Bears) ran by them so quick and fast,” Wulff joked. \“We struggled, so I offered a neck brace for ’em this year. Hopefully, they won’t need to use it.”

Wulff just hopes he doesn’t have to fit true freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel with a neck brace in Berkeley.

The Cougars are coming off a bye after giving up 12 sacks in their last game, and 253-pound true freshman Alex Reitnouer might be forced to start at left tackle on the battered offensive line. He started at guard the past two games and often struggled.

Wulff said key starters Kenny Alfred (center) and Zack Williams (guard) are ready to go after recovering from injuries, but several other nicked-up O-linemen will be limited if they play.

On defense, Wulff said sophomore middle linebacker Mike Ledgerwood could make his first start. That’s because Louis Bland is “highly, highly questionable” after reinjuring his knee this week in practice, and Alex Hoffman-Ellis may be limited in his first game back from a staph infection in his arm.

The Cougars have lost three straight games overall, four straight Pac-10 games, four straight to California and 10 straight away from Pullman. WSU’s next three games are on the road, but players are still practicing and playing with enthusiasm, unlike so many times last year.

“I shouldn’t say I’m surprised, I’m just happy with it,” tight end Tony Thompson said. “I’m very pleased to see guys are really maturing this year.”

“Everybody’s excited to come to practice,” said cornerback Brandon Jones, a Seattle native who transferred to WSU from California after the 2007 season. “We’re out here having fun, seeing a chance to get better. We’re getting better.”

cougars gameday

WASHINGTON STATE (1-5, 0-4) AT CALIFORNIA (4-2, 1-2)

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.

TV: None. Radio: 850-AM, 1240-AM, 1030-AM.

The series: California leads, 40-25-5. The Bears have won four straight, including 66-3 last year.

What to watch: WSU needs to fill the gaps on defense to have any chance of slowing down a Cal team with far more speed than the Cougars. Tailback Jahvid Best and quarterback Kevin Riley have been impressive in Cal’s wins and lackluster in Cal’s losses. The Bears’ pass rush has been rather ordinary at times, but they’re going up against a battered WSU offensive line that gave up 12 sacks the last time out.

What’s at stake: One more loss would almost certainly eliminate any chance of Cal gaining at least a share of the Pac-10 title. The Cougars want to earn some respect from the Bears after last year’s debacle in Pullman. “I have a great deal of respect for coach (Paul) Wulff and what he’s doing with that program,” California coach Jeff Tedford said. “Those guys play very, very hard. They’re running to the ball. It’s a totally different team than last year.”

TNT pick: California, 46-14.

PRIME NUMBERS

WASHINGTON STATE

No. Player (pos.)Height/weightYear

10 Jeff Tuel (QB) 6-3/207 Freshman

Shows promise when he has time to throw.

89 Travis Long (DE) 6-4/247 Freshman

Hard-working youngster has 27 tackles, 2 sacks.

21 Chima Nwackhukwu (SS-CB) 5-11/198 Junior

Leads team with 45 tackles.

3 Brandon Jones (CB) 5-9/183 Junior

Eager to face former Cal teammates.

84 Jared Karstetter (WR) 6-4/205 Sophomore

Leads team with 3 touchdown catches.

CALIFORNIA

4 Jahvid Best (TB) 5-10/195 Junior

Has rushed for 619 yards, 9 TDs.

13 Kevin Riley (QB) 6-2/221 Junior

Passed for 1,225 yards, 8 TDs, 1 interception.

18 Mike Mohamed (ILB) 6-3/237 Junior

Tied for Pac-10 lead with 8.3 tackles per game.

1 Marvin Jones (WR) 6-2/190 Sophomore

Leads team with 15 catches, 260 receiving yards, 3 TD catches.

5 Syd’Quan Thompson (CB-PR) 5-9/191Senior

Talented veteran nursing bruised back.

Howie Stalwick, For The News Tribune