Cougs Fans Should Leave Party Supplies At Home

A few minutes remain before kickoff, and you’re settling into your seat at the Spokane International Airport.

Or maybe it’s Martin Stadium. Yeah, that’s the place.

As the referee presides over the pregame coin toss, you take inventory.

Thermos. Check.

Umbrella. Check.

Miniature ice chest. Check.

(Student section note: Flask, sponsored by Jim Beam. Check.)

Martin Stadium rulebook. Time to double-check.

In a major change, designed to reduce alcohol consumption and clear stadium aisles, Washington State University officials have banned several popular items from Martin Stadium. In addition, officials promise stricter enforcement of existing rules, starting with Saturday’s 4 p.m. home opener against Oregon.

So before you pack that trusty Thermos, be advised of the four commandments:

1. Thou shalt not bring beverage containers into the facilities.

In past years, some containers were allowed.

“The proliferation of all different types of containers made enforcement difficult,” said Marcia Saneholtz, WSU’s senior associate athletic director and overseer of athletic facility management. “It got really hard to differentiate what might be acceptable.

“One, we can’t check the contents of those containers. Two, then they can become missiles.”

Which are also outlawed, by the way (see: the fourth commandment).

2. Thou shalt not bring coolers, baskets, large bags, grocery sacks, backpacks or umbrellas into the stadium. Bags must fit under one’s seat.

In the past, six-pack coolers, backpacks and grocery sacks were permitted.

The idea, according to Saneholtz, is to keep the stadium from resembling a picnic or frat party during games.

“If you’ve been in Martin Stadium, you know how narrow the aisles are, how tight the seating areas are,” Saneholtz said, “and (by allowing large items), we’ve created a very dangerous situation in the event we ever have to evacuate that stadium.”

The tighter controls were not designed to boost concession sales, Saneholtz said.

“We’ve had concerns from parents because their kids like to eat a lot and they don’t want to spend a lot on concessions,” she explained. “All they have to do is give each one of their children a little knapsack and they can bring their Skittles or apples or oranges or licorice sticks in.”

3. Thou shalt not consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs in the stadium.

Prohibition had been an unwritten rule.

4. Thou shalt not bring weapons or fireworks into the stadium.

WSU never had such a policy in writing, although the Oregon State offense always seemed to comply.

Pac storms back

After a rough start against teams like Penn State, Tennessee and Michigan, the Pac-10 went 7-0 in non-conference games last Saturday.

That included a 4-0 record against the Western Athletic Conference, which no longer brags about its successful record against big brother.

Since the WAC went 7-3 in 1994, the Pac-10 is 13-3.

The Pac-10 was 6-2 against the WAC last year and is 7-1 in 1996. That figure could jump to 9-1 by season’s end, with WAC weakling San Jose State facing road games against both Washington schools.

WSU injury update

Flanker Shawn McWashington will most likely miss the home opener. McWashington sprained an ankle during WSU’s last game, a 38-34 win over Temple on Sept. 7, and will be replaced this week by Chris Jackson.

Jackson is backed up by Bryant Thomas, who missed the Temple game after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Starting slotback Shawn Tims also sprained an ankle vs. Temple and has been limited this week. He is expected to play Saturday, although Kevin McKenzie is ready to step in.

Linebacker Johnny Nansen will play this week, but could miss the following week’s game against San Jose State. He is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery Monday.

Senior defensive lineman Da’vid Evans, who missed the first two games after tearing the meniscus in his left knee, has returned to practice and should be available Saturday.

Oregon suffered a major injury when tailback Saladin McCullough tore a knee ligament in Saturday’s 35-28 victory over Colorado State.

Thanks, but no thanks

USC tailback Chad Morton ran for 143 yards against Oregon State, but will be fourth on the depth chart this week.

With Shawn Walters and Delon Washington coming back from suspensions, USC lists LaVale Woods, Rodney Sermons, Washington and Walters as competing for the No. 1 spot, with Morton fourth.

Tyson-Spinks II?

Nebraska, which humiliated Arizona State 77-28 last season in Lincoln, visits Tempe for the return match Saturday.

The top-ranked Cornhuskers appear healthy and are coming off a bye, but have downplayed the margin of last year’s victory.

“They are favored or picked to finish second in the Pac-10 and it should be a tremendous game,” Nebraska assistant Frank Solich said. “You see the score last year and think it will be easy this year, but we’re still trying to develop chemistry.”

Both teams are 2-0.

Quotebook

“I’m such a great quarterback, they all get better jobs. Or else I’m so bad, they all can’t wait to get out of here.” - Jake Plummer, working with his fourth QB coach at Arizona State.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: WSU’s reserved event parking