COUGARS

With practice beginning tomorrow afternoon, we've put together a long piece on areas that will be key for Washington State as it tries to put together a successful season. Read on for the unedited version.
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• Here is the raw version of the story, which includes a little that won't make the paper ...

PULLMAN – It was less than 10 years ago when Washington State University's football team began its run of three consecutive 10-win seasons, a stretch unmatched in school history.

But the Cougars are coming off two seasons in which they won three games combined as coach Paul Wulff continues a rebuilding process aimed at returning WSU to the Pac-10's upper echelon.

If the third year of Wulff's tenure – which opens with practice this afternoon at 2 – is to be more akin to the 10-win seasons than to the last couple, the Cougars must take long strides in crucial areas.

Here is a step-by-step examination of those key elements:

• Unit

Offense: Line

The group struggled last season, yielding 53 sacks (second-most in the nation) and limiting the running game to a Pac-10 low 2.4 yards a carry, major reasons why WSU was 119th (out of 120) in the nation in total offense (249 yards a game) and scoring offense (12 points).

Injuries did play a part – 10 different players started a game, with only graduated center Kenny Alfred and tackle Micah Hannam (6-foot-4, 285) starting every game. Whatever the reasons, the failings cost assistant coach Harold Etheridge his job, replaced by veteran Steve Morton.

With five of those starters returning, along with Andrew Roxas (6-2, 304), who redshirted last season, and two junior college transfer tackles, Wade Jacobson (6-6, 307) and David Gonzales (6-6, 281), this group must improve.

"If we're not blocking, nothing is going to happen," said 6-4, 304-pound Zack Williams, who started seven games at guard last season. "The quarterback is not going to be able to throw the ball, running back's not going to be able to run the ball, receivers aren't going to be able to catch the ball.

"If we're not going to get the job done up front, then the offense isn't going to succeed."

The group did better in the spring, according to offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy, in large part due to increased competition.

"Having (Jacobson and Gonzalez) come in has helped us from the competitive standpoint," Sturdy said. "That was something that was evident in the spring.

"We did a heck of a lot better job in the spring then we have since we've been here. I'm encouraged at where we're at and I'm encouraged where we're going."

"We want everybody to have confidence in us," Williams added. "If everyone is confident in the O-line, then everything will fall into place."

Defense: Tackles

Though this group has been thinned due to academic failings and Dan Spitz's nine-game suspension for failing a drug test, it may still be in better shape than any time in Wulff's tenure.

Brandon Rankin (6-5, 271) and Bernard Wolfgramm (6-3, 288), who seems at near 100 percent after dealing with back issues and academic troubles, are penciled in as the starters. Anthony Laurenzi (6-3, 286) is the lone experienced backup, though redshirt freshman Justin Clayton (6-4, 271) impressed in the spring.

Junior college transfer Steven Hoffart (6-4, 270) attended summer school and Al Lapuaho, who committed late from Snow College, is expected to be approved for admission soon. Both should be able to provide sound backup. WSU coaches are said to be especially excited by the 6-3, 295-pound Lapuaho's potential.

"We've got some depth in there, which we haven't had," co-defensive coordinator Chris Ball said. "That's nice."

• Player

Offense: Jeff Tuel

The sophomore quarterback is bigger (up to 211 pounds), stronger and ready to take the reins of the offense.

"He came in pretty lean, like most high school kids do," said Sturdy. "His strength gains are a big difference than where he was a year ago. At this level, that's a huge, huge thing."

A year ago he first played well in relief at USC, then started the next week at Oregon. Before his season ended due to a knee injury suffered at Arizona, Tuel threw for 789 yards and completed 58.7 percent of his passes.

"He played," said Sturdy, when asked about the mental strides. "He got to experience it. He played in some big venues. You can't replace that. That's a huge factor in his development, his growth."

Tuel showed those improvements in spring, leading the no-huddle offense with a confidence that wasn't as evident in the fall. He also completed 25 of 41 (61 percent) of his spring passes for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

"I think he went out in the spring game and operated really well," Sturdy said of Tuel's 11 of 16 passing performance. "You saw a level of confidence in his play that was impressive."

Defense: Whoever wins the middle linebacker spot

"That job's up for grabs," Ball said. "We're still looking for someone to step up and take it and run with it."

Going into camp junior Mike Ledgerwood (6-0, 233) is listed as the starter with little-used senior Hallston Higgins (5-11, 225) and redshirt freshman Darren Markle (6-1, 225) as backups.

So what is Ball looking for?

"A guy that's going to run from sideline to sideline, and be able to make plays," Ball answered. "He's got to be big enough to hold up in there inside and be able to run downhill and tackle the running back on a consistent basis."

And consistent is the key word.

"I'm just looking for some consistency," Ball said. "We've had a lot of guys play the position over the last couple years, but no one wants to step up and be 'the guy.' "

One wild card might be true freshman C.J. Mizell (6-3, 210), a touted recruit from Florida who Ball says has been mentioned as a candidate.

• Game

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys, coming off a 9-4, Cotton Bowl season, are in the role of favorites, two-touchdown favorites in early lines. But they are a lot of holes to fill, most notably on the offensive line – only one starter returns – at quarterback - Brandon Weeden will take over from starter Zac Robinson – and on defense – only four starters return and one of them, defensive end Jamie Blatnick, was recently arrested after a bar fight.

WSU is not the same team schematically that faced Oklahoma State two years ago, especially on defense, so the previous experience shouldn't be a factor.

If the Cougars can find a way to pull an upset, it would not only end a nine-game losing streak, it could also give a young team (WSU has 26 first- or second-year players in its camp-opening two deep) the confidence it needs to overcome the last two seasons.

• Practice day

Sat., Aug., 14

The Cougar players make it clear they want to hit the ground running.

"The first week, we really need to get things cranked up," said Tuel. "No miscues, anything like that. As soon as the pads come on, we're rolling, we're flying around.

"There are no questions, we're executing."

Nothing would be better than to execute during the team's first scheduled scrimmage, coming as it does after only three practices in full pads.

If nothing else, the first time competing under game-like conditions will allow Wulff and his staff to see what's working and what isn't.

• Coach

Steve Morton

The ultra-experienced Morton – he's coached at the collegiate level since starting as a grad assistant at WSU in 1975 – not only knows how to teach offensive line play, but knows he's way around Pullman as well.

A former Cougar player, he is in his second stint at Washington State – he was Wulff's line coach a couple years – and in his fifth go-round in the Pac-10.

"He's a little more old school," Williams said. "He's been teaching it a while, so his stuff is pretty basic. He just wants us to get the job done."

If Morton can get the job done, the Cougars should be able to stay out of the third-and-long situations that derailed the offense last season and had a big hand in the sacks.

"Last year we were hurt by a lot of injuries, so a lot of people had to play early (and) it kind of tested their manhood," Williams said. "Nobody goes into a season wanting to give up over 50 sacks. It something we want to fix. We want to keep the quarterback clean, open up holes. That is what our plan is this year."

• Newcomers

Offense: Wide receivers

With only four scholarship receivers available (Daniel Blackledge, Jared Karstetter, Gino Simone and Jeffrey Solomon) in the spring, it was obvious even then the five wideouts (four freshman and JC transfer Isiah Barton) were going to play crucial roles this season.

"All of them have different strengths," said Karstetter, who worked with them this summer. "(The coaches) did a good job balancing the class. They all have impressed me."

Freshmen Kristoff Williams (6-2, 205) and Marquess Wilson (6-3, 170) along with Barton (6-1, 190) are expected to contribute right away.

"They're young but they're going to get opportunities right away," Sturdy said. "Those guys will get a lot of reps from day one."

Defense: Rankin

From the moment the junior college transfer stepped onto the field in the spring, it was obvious he had physical talents not seen often in Pullman the past few years.

"Brandon Rankin, he's really good," said defensive end Travis Long. "He's a dominant player as (the quick) tackle. He's going to help out the pass rush a lot."

Williams, who had to block Rankin every day in spring ball, agrees.

"He's so quick," the guard said. "And he's strong enough to play inside."

With Rankin's quickness inside a key factor, Ball and co-defensive coordinator Jody Sears have decided to play a more aggressive scheme this season, ramping up the pressure up front.

"We want to be more aggressive," Ball said. "We did some things in the offseason, studied some things, just trying to find what fits us best. What we did this spring fits us really, really well."

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• Looking deeper at the offensive line

Last year's 10 starters and their current status

Kenny Alfred – graduated

Steven Ayers – retired, concussions

Brian Danaher – retired, concussions

Joe Eppele – left early, CFL draftee

B.J. Guerra – starter, right guard

Micah Hannam – possible starter, tackle

Reed Lesuma – graduated

Tyson Pencer – reserve guard

Alex Reitnouer – reserve tackle

Zack Williams – starter, left guard

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• Looking deeper at Jeff Tuel

Tuel became only the second true freshman quarterback to start a game at WSU, when he joined Drew Bledsoe last season. Here's how the two's statistics compare:

Att. Comp. Pct. Yards TDs Int.

Tuel 121 71 58.7 789 6 5

Bledsoe 189 92 48.7 1,386 9 4

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• That's all for today. We'll be back in the morning. Until then ...

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