WSU Football
Cougars notebook: Smith returns from injury, will start at RB

By Craig Smith
Seattle Times staff reporter

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PULLMAN — For the third straight game, the Cougars will have a different starting running back.

Jonathan Smith will start tomorrow against Oregon State, with Chris Bruhn and Jermaine Green (rib) the backups.

Bruhn, a junior-college transfer, got the start last week at Stanford because Smith (ankle) wasn't 100 percent and Green was left home. Bruhn rushed 11 times for 15 yards.

Green suffered the rib injury against Arizona on Oct. 4.

Starting tackle Sam Lightbody (shoulder-arm) and backup tight end Jesse Taylor (shoulder-arm) are considered out. Starting tight end Troy Bienemann, who also deep-snaps, was troubled by a back problem again yesterday and is questionable.

Redshirt freshman Charles Harris will start for Lightbody, said coach Bill Doba. It will be his first career start. If Bienemann can't start, redshirt freshman Cody Boyd will get the call.

Former starting center Mike Shelford (shoulder-arm) is showing improvement. There is an outside chance he could play tomorrow.

Notes

• Julie Parrish, wife of starting guard Josh, gave birth to a 9-pound, 2-ounce son, Dakota, Wednesday night.

• Consumer tip for Dads' Weekend: Ferdinand's, the campus creamery where tins of Cougar Gold cheese can be purchased for $14, will be open from noon to 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company