The fifth-year senior reinjured his right shoulder in the UCLA game last Saturday. On Sunday, Doba said Kegel was doubtful to start against the Sun Devils (4-4, 1-5).

But what a difference a day makes.

"Kegel is much better than I thought, quite honestly," Doba said during his weekly news conference. "He stopped by yesterday and he was swinging that arm around -- 'What do you mean I'm not starting?' -- and he was giving me a hard time."

The shoulder will be evaluated today, but Doba says a decision on whether Kegel starts could come as late as kickoff when No. 8 WSU (8-2, 5-1) takes on Arizona State in Pullman.

"We'll wait and see how he warms up and how it feels and what the doctors have to say," Doba said. "If he's ready to go and he's ready to start, he'll start."

Meanwhile, freshman backup Josh Swogger, who replaced Kegel in the UCLA game, led the team in practice Tuesday.

"Josh looked good in practice yesterday and he graded out well. He had a couple of dropped balls, or his stats would have been a lot better," Doba said. "But I thought for a rookie just jumping in there, he really did a nice job."

Swogger, who redshirted last season, completed five of 16 passes with two interceptions. But his coach liked his performance.

"He's got a great demeanor," Doba said. "He's got a short memory about a bad pass. He's not happy when he throws an interception, or doesn't do something right, but he doesn't dwell on it."

The possibility of having an inexperienced quarterback face Arizona State (4-6, 1-5) is tempered by the powerful defense that has helped the Cougars overcome some problems in recent weeks, Doba said.

"We've been more than a little sloppy, but we've been saved by the defense," he said. "The amazing thing about last week, as many times as we put our defense in bad field position, they gave up the two field goals but didn't give up a touchdown after a turnover."

Should Kegel not play and Swogger be injured, the Cougars' third-string quarterback is freshman Alex Brink, who has no college experience, Doba said.

Swogger, meanwhile, has been spending more time watching films and studying his playbook, the coach said.

"When you think you're going to play, you start learning a lot quicker," Doba said. "He's improving by leaps and bounds, I guess, is the best way to put it."

Arizona St. at WSU

- Saturday: 2 p.m. in Pullman.

- Records: Sun Devils (4-6 overall, 1-5 Pac-10), Cougars (8-2, 5-1).

- Radio: 1240-AM, 850-AM.