Seattle Post Intelligencer: Cougars in must win game after three losses

WSU hoping to reverse Pac-10 skid

By GLENN KASSES

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Perhaps calling tonight's game the last gasp for Washington State is unfair. Maybe it underestimates the Cougars, or overestimates the remaining opponents. But probably not. Few if any would have guessed that the 2005 season, with its bowl hopes and its 3-0 start, would come down to a must-win situation so quickly, but in the seventh game even head coach Bill Doba admits the game at California is just that. "We need to win pretty quick," said Doba, whose team has fallen to 3-3, losing all three conference games. The going doesn't get any easier as a trip to No. 1 USC looms next week. Doba can't help but look ahead at the consequences of a loss today. "We've got a tough game coming up after this one and you've got to get that skid stopped somewhere," he said. "And after that, you've got Arizona State. We've been close. We've been close three times but you've got to get over the hump. I think this is a real important game."

Unfortunately for WSU, an easy game does not lie ahead under the lights at Memorial Stadium. The Golden Bears are on a two-game losing streak, having lost to Oregon State last week. So there's little doubt that Cal will come out of the gate ready to get back in the win column. "I'm sure they're frustrated and want to kind of redeem themselves," Doba said.   The Bears (5-2 overall, 2-2 Pac-10) are still No. 25 in the country despite the back-to-back losses. Cal features the Pac-10's best defense and an offense that has traditionally been capable of scoring points in bunches. To beat the Bears, the Cougars will need to find big-play opportunities and convert them. "If we just see opportunities and make the plays when it's provided to us ... throughout the season, opportunities to intercept the ball or to pick something up (have been there)," defensive coordinator Robb Akey said. "I think it can happen right now. I think it could have happened at any point in time. But that's kind of where we need to be." And, as Doba said, they need to be there starting right now.

NOTES: Middle linebacker Will Derting made the trip to California and will be on the sidelines for moral support. The team captain will be out until at least next week with a knee injury. ... Wide receiver Chris Jordan had a better week of practice as he fights knee and hip flexor injuries, but even if he starts expect to see freshman Brandon Gibson and senior Trandon Harvey get playing time. ...  Running back Kevin McCall injured an ankle in practice this week and couldn't make the trip. As a result, freshman Dwight Tardy is on the travel squad but the Cougars are still hoping to redshirt the Texas native.