Behind the Scenes: Washington State Cougars
FOX Sports
Share This Story
There’s no doubt about it… the Washington State Cougars are a much improved football team. The playing field was surprisingly even as the Cougars fell to the Stanford Cardinal 28-38.
Washington State head coach Paul Wulff isn’t afraid to play young guys. He told me he’s probably playing more first year players than anyone in the country, and would actually be playing three more if it weren’t for injuries. The Cougars are featuring a true freshman at the typically veteran laden positions of left tackle and middle linebacker.
Washington State fans may have noticed that Junior Defensive Tackle Brandon Rankin did not start the first series against Stanford because he missed a day of weights last week. This is all a part of Coach Wulff’s focus on accountability and trust. In our meetings with Coach on Friday, I counted at least fifteen mentions of “accountability”. It’s the only way he wants to build this program.
Todd Sturdy, the offensive coordinator for Washington State never saw Jeff Tuel play a game as a quarterback before he recruited him to come to Pullman. Tuel played wide receiver his first three years of high school until there was a coaching change. Instead, Tuel hit the camp circuit where coaches could see valuable film of him playing QB. Coach Sturdy said he felt strongly about Tuel and wanted to take a chance on him. After the game, even Andrew Luck told me was impressed with Jeff Tuel’s abilities at quarterback.
WSU true freshman Marquis Wilson just turned eighteen but his coaches say he’s “oozing with talent”. Coach Sturdy has known him since his sophomore year and watched him play basketball in high school. On one occasion, Coach watched as Wilson took off from the free throw line and made a seemingly effortless lay up. Watching Wilson’s abilities up close on Saturday, I concur that he’s a freak of an athlete.
The most noticeable mismatch on Saturday wasn’t what most fans would expect. WSU’s wide receiver Jared Karstetter was open on the outside so often, his teammates hassled Cardinal corner, Johnson Bademosi all game long. Even when the score wasn’t close, they wouldn’t let Bademosi forget that he was getting beat.
When WSU defensive coordinator, Chris Ball was deciding where to take his next job, his son made it clear how he felt. He told his dad, “The only place I’ll go is Pullman.” It must have been destiny, because Coach told me the very next day he got a call informing him that Paul Wulff was going to offer him the coordinator job. His son will play infield for the Cougar baseball team next season.
The Cougars were without their best cover corner, freshman Damante Horton. Horton sat out with a knee injury he suffered during the Arizona game last week. Coaches said that even though he’s only a freshman, he’s already making a name for himself. They even compared him to current Seattle Seahawk, Marcus Trufant.
A loss is a loss, but each game the Cougars are proving they’re climbing their way out of the Pac Ten gutter. With more Paul Wulff recruits on the way and freshmen getting quality playing time, things are looking up in Pullman.
Be sure to tune in next week for more Pac Ten coverage as we head to Corvallis for California at Oregon State.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Two killed as rally car strikes crowd
A race car went out of control on a rural Irish road and crashed into a crowd of abou... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Roddick doesn't deserve all this blame
We can't hold Roddick to unfair standard any longer.
NCAA FB Videos
Fiutak: Remembering Bill Stewart
Posted: May 21, 2012
Pete Fiutak remembers former West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart.
Pete Fiutak remembers former West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart.
Scout.com: USC nabs top RB
Posted: May 15, 2012
Scott Kennedy on what five-star recruit Ty Isaac means to USC.
Scott Kennedy on what five-star recruit Ty Isaac means to USC.
Hundley getting comfortable
Posted: May 06, 2012
UCLA QB Brett Hundley talks about competing for the starting job.
UCLA QB Brett Hundley talks about competing for the starting job.
NCAA FB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/206368/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_206000/FF_206368_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/454858/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_454000/FF_454858_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat |
| adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/477038/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_477000/ff_477038_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet |
| Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_State_Seminoles/browse/featuredproduct/520956/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_520000/ff_520956_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet |
| Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kansas_State_Wildcats/browse/featuredproduct/681476/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_681000/ff_681476_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple |
| Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Football Jersey - Crimson | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/771453/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_771000/ff_771453_xl.jpg&w=100 | 64.95 | Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Footbal.. |
| Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/775105/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775105_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet |
| Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Target Knock Out Performance Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/776277/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776277_xl.jpg&w=100 | 69.95 | Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Target Knock Out Performance.. |
| Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Charcoal | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oklahoma_State_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/780963/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_780000/ff_780963_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Cha.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.