Originally published October 20, 2009 at 5:43 PM | Page modified October 20, 2009 at 7:46 PM

Washington State uses bye week to help heal injuries

Cougars prepare for game at California

The Associated Press

Saturday

WSU @ California, 1:30 p.m.

PULLMAN — A bye week allowed some of Washington State's injured football players to heal enough to play at California on Saturday, coach Paul Wulff said Tuesday.

Offensive lineman Zach Williams has a good chance of returning, which should provide a boost to the WSU rush and pass attack. Offensive lineman B.J. Guerra is still questionable, Wulff said.

Starting defensive tackle Bernard Wolfgramm is also expected back, Wulff said.

He'll be needed against a Cal offense that averages 32 points and 200 rushing yards per game.

But the Cougars (1-5, 0-4 Pac-10) will be starting 17-year-old freshman Terrance Hayward at cornerback in place of Daniel Simmons, who suffered a broken leg against Arizona State.

"For a kid of 17 he's pretty talented," Wulff said.

Not that it really matters, as injuries have forced the Cougars onto a team-record pace for freshman starters this year.

California (4-2, 1-2) beat UCLA last week after being blown out by USC and Oregon the previous two games.

The Golden Bears feature running back Jahvid Best, one of the best in the nation. He has rushed for 616 yards so far, an average of 6.1 yards per carry. Shane Vereen has rushed for 309 yards for Cal's potent rushing attack.

"Nobody's really stopped it," Wulff said.

Freshman Jeff Tuel will start at quarterback for WSU again, and no major lineup changes are expected, Wulff said.

He would like to see better protection for Tuel and backup quarterback Marshall Lobbestael, who were sacked 12 times by Arizona State.

"We haven't given any of our quarterbacks much opportunity to perform at the level they are capable of," Wulff said.

The bye week, at the exact midpoint of the season, also gave the team a chance to focus on goals for the second half, Wulff said.

"What can we do different and improve on, based on the first half?" Wulff said. "We will not get taller or gain weight or get a tenth faster.

"The attitude has been great. It's night and day from a year ago at this time."

More Cougars headlines...

E-mail article Print Share

Comments

No comments have been posted to this article.

Read all comments / Share your thoughts