PULLMAN – Once upon a time, the passing game of Washington State was so prolific that Sports Illustrated dubbed the school “Quarterback U.”

Ah, those were the good old days. Currently, WSU ranks ninth in the Pacific-10 Conference with 195.3 yards passing per game (Oregon is 10th at 184.2), and the Cougars have thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (10).

All of which makes Jared Karstetter’s season that much more remarkable. Karstetter, a sophomore wide receiver from Spokane’s Ferris High School, is tied with Oregon State star James Rodgers for the Pac-10 lead with six touchdown catches.

Half of Karstetter’s touchdown grabs accounted for all three Cougar touchdowns the past two games. In the waning minutes of Saturday’s 48-7 loss at Arizona, the Cougars avoided their first shutout of the year when Karstetter got half a step on cornerback Mike Turner at midfield, plucked a long Marshall Lobberstael pass with his right hand, tucked it away and zoomed off for a 64-yard touchdown.

“Great catch,” WSU coach Paul Wulff said. “A really great catch. He’s doing a good job.”

Karstetter leads the Cougars (1-8, 0-6 Pac-10) with 420 receiving yards. True freshman Gino Simone is the team leader in receptions with 30, but Karstetter is second with 27.

“He’s definitely a playmaker,” Lobbestael said.

The Cougars have shown a knack for pulling off a huge play or two, even in the ugliest of losses.

“As an offense, we know how much (more) work we have to do,” Karstetter said.

“He’s a great worker,” Wulff said. “He’s a tough kid.”

Wulff backed up that statement by revealing Karstetter is playing with a torn thumb tendon that will require surgery after the season. Karstetter said he injured his left thumb in the summer.

Nwachukwu tabbed: Junior safety Chima Nwachukwu has been named a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy. The award is presented to the player who best combines exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievements.

Nwachukwu carries a 3.79 grade-point average, performs volunteer work and serves as president of the WSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The Allen, Texas, native ranked among the Pac-10 leaders with 56 tackles before missing last week’s game with a sprained ankle.

Senior center Kenny Alfred previously was named a semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy. That honor goes to a college football player who demonstrates good leadership, citizenship and academic work.

Finally home: The Cougars play their second home game in eight weeks Saturday against UCLA (4-5, 1-5). The Bruins are 1-5 in their past six visits to Martin Stadium.

Game time is 2 p.m. on Dad’s Weekend. Fox College Sports carries the game live, and FSN replays the telecast at 7.

“Five of our last six games have been on the road,” Wulff noted. “All those five teams have been ranked (at some point). That’s a pretty tough schedule for anyone in the country.”

Oregon State (6-3, 4-2) comes to town next week before the Cougars finish the season Nov. 28 at Washington (3-6, 2-4). CBSSports.com ranks Oregon State 26th, UCLA 68th, Washington 71st and WSU 113th among the 120 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

UCLA, stellar defensively, is favored by 17 points Saturday. A high of 36 degrees is forecast, which may work to WSU’s advantage against a team from sunny Southern California.

Keep in mind, however, that the Cougars have not scored a first-quarter touchdown or led a game in a non-overtime period in more than a year, a span of 12 games.

Donations sought: Former Cougars great Jack Thompson will team up with World Vision and WSU students to collect cash donations outside Martin Stadium for American Samoa Tsunami Relief.

Donations also may be made at www.worldvision.org/respond.

Injury report: Wulff continues to list starting quarterback Jeff Tuel (knee) as questionable.

“It’s going to be a game-time decision, basically,” Wulff said. Lobbestael is the No. 2 QB.

Tight end Tony Thompson (concussion) and offensive tackle Tyson Pencer (ankle) also are questionable. Wulff is “optimistic” Nwachukwu and fellow safety Jay Matthews (shoulder) will play.

Wulff said it’s “a possibility” that junior offensive guard Brian Danaher (repeated concussions) and sophomore safety Eric Block (ulcerative colitis) won’t return this year and might not ever play again.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said his starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Kevin Prince, should be ready to go. Prince suffered a concussion in a 24-23 win over Washington last week.