Originally published November 6, 2009 at 8:18 PM | Page modified November 6, 2009 at 8:23 PM

Comments (11) E-mail article Print view Share

Cougars QB Jeff Tuel returns to his Tucson roots

Jeff Tuel, who spent his formative years in the high-desert community, was a football fan, sure, but not necessarily a Wildcats booster.

By Vince Grippi

Spokane Spokesman-Review

TUCSON, Ariz. — No, not everyone in Tucson is a University of Arizona fan.

Jeff Tuel wasn't.

Tuel, who spent his formative years in the high-desert community, was a football fan, sure, but not necessarily a Wildcats booster.

"I probably was when I was younger, but I wasn't like a true, die-hard fan," he said.

"I always dreamed of playing Division I football, so I guess [I dreamed] of playing on that field," said Tuel, who has fulfilled the first part of that dream and will start his fifth game at quarterback for Washington State today when the Cougars face Arizona in a Pac-10 matchup.

"But I never grew up saying, 'I want to be a Wildcat.' I just wanted to make it, to play at that level."

That's not to say Tuel didn't follow the Wildcats — "I've probably been to over 200 games in my lifetime," he said, including all sports — or play on the Arizona Stadium field.

"I actually played a Pop Warner game on there at halftime," he said.

Tuel lived in Tucson until the summer after ninth grade at Southpointe Catholic. That's when his dad, also Jeff, took a job as a general manager of a Fresno, Calif., irrigation company.

WSU's freshman quarterback left a few friends behind, including Mike Descisciolo, a first-year walk-on with the Cats.

"After my senior year of high school I visited some friends down there for a few days," said Tuel, who finished his high-school career at Clovis West on the outskirts of Fresno. "It all looked the same. Drove by my old house."

Now Tuel will try to maneuver the Cougars (1-7, 0-5) past the 21st-ranked Wildcats (5-2, 3-1) and snap WSU's five-game losing streak. At least he's in a town in which he has experienced success.

"Our Pop Warner league was extremely competitive," Tuel said, smiling. "We won a city championship."

E-mail article Print view Share

NEW - Fan shop

More Cougars

NEW - 10:10 PM
Bud Withers: Bud Withers: Battered, beaten Cougars still bleeding crimson

UPDATE - 11:22 PM
WSU Men's Hoops | Wash. St. beats San Diego 93-56 for Alaska title

WSU Men's Hoops | Washington State beats Nicholls State 78-69

Close games are the norm in the Apple Cup

Apple Cup 2009 preview

More Cougars headlines...

Comments (11)

Hide comments / Show comments

Thanks for finding something to write about the Cougs. Even though the Husky trolls harass every article about WSU, there are thousands of Wazzu... Posted on November 7, 2009 at 8:16 AM by wsuengineer. Jump to comment

I hope soon they get back to losing by respectable margins. Posted on November 7, 2009 at 2:10 PM by yourfathersoldsmobile. Jump to comment

Read all comments / Share your thoughts

Get home delivery today!

Video

Fans flock to Palin book signing in Tri-Cities
A crowd of nearly 2,300 people lined up outside Hastings bookstore in Richland, WA for Sarah Palin's appearance to sign copies of her book "Going Rogue."

Community reflects on slain police

Police shooting: Man who helped baristas

WTO revisited: Harley Soltes

WTO revisited: John Sellers

Fans celebrate Apple Cup 2009

Black Friday | A Best Buy store all to yourself?

Black Friday | Toys"R"Us opens at midnight

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie

nwhomes

Find a Home

For sale
New Homes
Foreclosures

Search properties for sale

Rent a home or apartment

Post your property or rental

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.

Or search by location:

nwautos

Car shop: Holiday gifts for your favorite auto fannew
Looking for the perfect gift for the car lover in your family? Here are a few ideas for various ages and interests.
Post a comment