Football 2001

FOOTBALL 2001

The Associated Press
Mike Bush and the Cougars got off to a good start in their season-opening victory over Idaho, but it will be up to returning quarterback Jason Gesser (below) to keep the offense on track as Washington State tries to exceed low expectations.

Cougars hope to snag bowl berth

Despite poor predictions, team optimistic

GAIL WOOD, THE OLYMPIAN

Four years ago, Washington State was picked to finish last in the Pac-10 despite having a touchdown machine at quarterback.

The Cougars shocked everyone that year and won the conference title, with Ryan Leaf throwing 34 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions.

Now, the Cougars are again picked to finish last, despite having a strong-armed, extremely mobile quarterback who is a junior.

Jason Gesser led the conference in passing efficiency last season and tossed three touchdown passes in the Cougars' season-opening 36-7 win last week against Idaho.

While Washington State coach Mike Price isn't predicting another Rose Bowl appearance, he is optimistic. He has reason to be.

Besides Gesser, the Cougars have nine returning starters on both the offense and defense off a team that lost three overtime games and finished 4-7.

Price calls this season's offensive line the best he's had since that 1997 line that protected Leaf.

"I have not coached an offensive line as athletic as this group," Price said.

"We are bigger and stronger than last year and obviously we have experience, something we didn't have in abundance last year."

That offensive line, led by senior guard Joey Hollenbeck, has a combined 53 career starts. Calvin Armstrong, a redshirt freshman from Centralia, figures to see a lot of playing time at offensive tackle. Armstrong is 6-foot-7, 315 pounds.

Dave Minnich, the 6-foot, 220-pound senior running back who joined the team last year after serving four years in the Marines, is a blend of power and speed. He runs 40 yards in 4.5 seconds and rolled for 127 yards in less than three quarters of play in the opening win over Idaho.

Gesser will have several big-play receivers to throw to.

While six receivers return, it may be the newcomers who have the biggest impact.

Mike Bush, who played basketball for the Cougars last season, is turning out for football for the first time since high school. Bush showed his athletic ability and a flair for catching the ball with four grabs in the season opener.

Nakoa McElrath, a 6-2, 195-pound senior, caught 10 passes against Idaho.

Defensively, the Cougars got a boost from the return of defensive back Lamont Thompson, who missed all of last season with a neck injury. He is tied for Washington State's career interception lead with 14.

With Thompson back, the Cougars have one of the best defensive backfields in the conference. Strong safety Billy Newman and cornerback Marcus Trufant are potential all-conference players.

Since winning the Pac-10 championship and going 10-2 in 1997, the Cougars are 10-24, winning just three conference games. The Cougars went 3-8, 3-9 and 4-7 last season, losing three times in overtime.

Price, in his 13th season, knows that the pressure is on for this team to win. He thinks the Cougars can continue what they started against Idaho.

WSU travels to Boise State this Saturday, then returns home for games Sept. 15 against Colorado and the Pac-10 opener Sept. 22 with California.

"I just think we're going to be better," Price said.

"We improved this spring and we're a better football team now than we were a year ago."

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Washington St. Cougars

- COACH: Mike Price, 13th season, 64-73. Overall: 109-117 including eight years at Weber State.

- 2000 RECORD: 4-7, 2-6 Pac-10. Highlight: 33-27 win at USC.

- STRENGTHS: Mobile quarterback Jason Gesser, punishing running back Dave Minnich and an improved defense featuring a secondary with perhaps more talent than any in the Pac-10.

- WEAKNESSES: Lack of proven receivers, question marks at linebacker and a lack of overall depth. The kicking game also remains a question mark, although Drew Dunning hit three short field goals in the season opener.

- OUTLOOK: The Cougars started with a bang, hammering rival Idaho 36-7 last week. During that game WSU showed an improved offensive line, smart, efficient play by Gesser and a hard-nosed defense led by the secondary. That will need to continue and the Cougs will need to cut down on costly penalties once Pac-10 play starts. If that happens, a bowl bid is a decent possibility.

Martin Stadium map