Apple Cup Notebook | Huskies still mystified by ugly loss

The Washington Huskies showed up Monday to say they still don't know why they didn't show up Saturday.

"We just didn't come to play, for whatever reason," said Huskies linebacker Scott White of the shocking 20-3 loss to lowly Stanford that knocked the Huskies out of a chance at a bowl game.

What they insisted wasn't a factor was Tyrone Willingham's decision last week to announce that four players listed all season as juniors would be honored as seniors and not invited back for next season, notably starting kicker Michael Braunstein and safety Chris Hemphill.

"Everybody wants to point that out, but that had absolutely no bearing on the outcome of the game," said White. "This team isn't divided at all. Guys aren't rebelling against their coaches because a couple of other players aren't going to be back. That's a decision he made and a decision we are going to go forward with."

Willingham, meanwhile, again wouldn't specify why those four players were singled out ahead of other fourth-year players, though he added that he hasn't talked to all of the fourth-year players yet and others may also not return next season.

He did acknowledge that the timing of the announcement might not have been optimum.

"If my timing was off in delivering those announcements, it was only because I want them to have all the things that they should have," Willingham said. "I don't think you deprive a young man of an opportunity to walk on the field for the last time. If that was my mistake, I apologize, but I don't ever want to be dishonest with our young men."

Willingham said the reason decisions were made on some players now, while for other players they may come later, is because "their situations may be more clear."

Washington athletic director Todd Turner said he was not concerned about Willingham's handling of the senior situation or the six-game losing streak that killed a 4-1 start.

"We've got as fine a coach, as fine a person, as we could possibly have run our football program," he said Monday.

Willingham is completing the second season of a five-year contract.

Turner said he has had no talks with Willingham about an extension, but said that's only because he doesn't think it's necessary right now.

"I don't think it's an issue with Tyrone and it's not an issue with me," Turner said. "I'm not worried about his future here."

Cougs injury update

Washington State senior linebacker Scott Davis apparently will try to play despite a fracture in his right wrist.

The co-captain is listed as "limited" on the injury report, for which the categories are "out indefinitely," "no practice" and "limited."

Wide receiver Michael Bumpus (high ankle sprain) has improved from last week's "no practice" category to "limited." Fellow receiver Jason Hill (high ankle sprain) remains on the "no practice" list.

Hill said he would try to jog Wednesday. Hill said if he can't run, he won't play.

"I'm going to do what's best for me," he said.

Wide receiver Chris Jordan, who reinjured his surgically repaired knee at Arizona State on Saturday, is out, as is defensive tackle Aaron Johnson (elbow).

The Cougars hope starting defensive tackles Ropati Pitoitua (knee) and Feveae'i Ahmu (foot fracture) can rejoin the team this week. Both are listed as "limited."

Notes

• Last year's Apple Cup at Husky Stadium ended with a little skirmish when some of the Cougars ran to midfield to celebrate and some Huskies took exception. WSU coach Bill Doba said he didn't think there would be any carryover to this year's game.

"There were a couple of guys on our team that were taunting and they're gone," he said. "We want this to be first class."

Willingham said he would talk with his players about the incident to remind them that "that's not the kind of sportsmanship you want associated with either program, not what the game should be about."

• Injured Huskies QB Isaiah Stanback attended Monday's luncheon and said he plans to accompany the Huskies to the Apple Cup, which would be his first road game since hurting his foot. As for his foot, he said "it's coming along," though the recovery time means he probably won't be healthy in time for the NFL draft next April.

"I have a future, I know that much," he said. "I've got to do the best I can to get back and get healthy and take advantage of all the opportunity that will be out there."

• Huskies LB Donald Butler (calf) should play after missing two games.

• WSU's Hill attended team meetings Sunday and said, "The feeling is we have to win this game. The players are feeling pressure, the coaches are feeling pressure from everywhere. It's time to win." He said "the confidence is down" on the team, but is confident WSU can win with the home support.

Times reporter Craig Smith contributed to this report.