Originally published Friday, October 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM

WSU Football | Freshman LB making most of situation

Lack of depth on Washington State's roster has thrust freshman linebacker Louis Bland into starting role.

Special to The Seattle Times

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PULLMAN — Washington State coach Paul Wulff never saw this coming. Then again, neither did Louis Bland.

Freshman linebackers typically don't start. Especially when that linebacker came to campus months before as a safety and missed the majority of fall camp and the start of the season with a stress fracture in his foot.

But there was Bland, running out of the tunnel of Martin Stadium last Saturday, starting against the Oregon Ducks. At linebacker. Five weeks into his college career.

"I really can't explain the feeling," Bland said. "The atmosphere was crazy."

"He's just really mature for a freshman," said linebackers coach Travis Niekamp.

Bland was a two-time state wrestling champion in California and was student-body president three years at Central Catholic High School in Modesto. He is pursuing a degree in neuroscience and would like to become a scientist after graduation.

Bland said he dreamed of competing in both wrestling and football in college, but eventually realized he would have to choose one — and once he visited WSU, he knew it was the place for him.

While coaches are enthusiastic about the 5-foot-10, 203-pound linebacker, they say he wouldn't be playing under normal circumstances. But the lack of depth and current state of the team, WSU has needed to dig much further into the depth chart than anyone would have figured.

Bland has separated himself from others with his energy and mental toughness.

"He really works his tail off," Niekamp said. "A lot of freshmen step on the field wondering if they belong and are always trying to find their niche. Since Day One, Louis has stepped on this field and said 'You know what? I'm gonna play and I'm gonna be a good player.' "

Note

• WSU coach Paul Wulff said Thursday that running backs Chris Ivory (hamstring) and Logwone Mitz (ankle) are questionable after practice injuries this week, along with backup offensive lineman Will Hunter (broken finger) and offensive tackle Steven Ayers (sore neck). Said Wulff, "Those four got hurt (Wednesday), not even in full-speed drills."

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