Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Tacoma News Tribune: WSU's Hill: No. 10 Cal overlooks Cougs at own peril

TODD MILLES

Apparently chafed about the low national profile for Washington State football, star receiver Jason Hill called for an identity change Monday. “In the past couple weeks, what we’ve tried to do is be the hunted (the favorite),” Hill said, “not the hunter (the underdog).” He wants to Cougars to continue to think of themselves as the dominant team this weekend, when the Cougars play host to 10th-ranked California. Kickoff with the Pacific-10 Conference-leading Golden Bears is set for Saturday in Pullman.  “Every game is a big challenge from here on,” Hill said. “I hope (Cal) doesn’t take us lightly.”  Monday is routinely when Hill speaks his mind at a press conference. He maintained his routine this week, even coming off of a busy week.   Last Tuesday, he left Pullman for San Francisco to tend to his mother, LaVerne Hawkins, who went to a hospital after suffering a heart attack.  After he oversaw her surgery, in which she received a pacemaker, and made sure she was stabilized, he returned to WSU practice by Thursday.  Hill played Saturday in the Cougars’ 13-6 victory over Oregon State, in which he made a third-quarter catch for the game’s only touchdown.

He was later knocked out of the game with a sprained right shoulder.  The senior was scheduled to meet with doctors late Monday, but felt “good” about his chances of playing against Cal.  “I was drained a little bit (emotionally),” Hill said. “I feel human emotions, like everyone else. … Not being around the guy, missing a lot of the game plan, I fought through it. It’s the game of life.”  Even after a victory over OSU, Hill appeared miffed at questions of why the offense scored one touchdown. “Mistakes … all over,” he answered, tersely.

Extra points

WSU defensive end Mkristo Bruce is starting to feel like a marked man, leading NCAA Division I football with his 10 sacks, including two against the Beavers. Bruce said after the game he was dragged down illegally a couple times, but added, “I’m not going to beg for a holding call.”

THE COUGARS’ OPPONENT THIS WEEK

California Bears (5-1 overall, 3-0 Pac-10)

Coach: Jeff Tedford (38-18 in fifth season at Cal. His team has been to a bowl game the past four seasons).

Last week: The Bears routed 11th-ranked Oregon, 45-24, to take over first place in the conference. Cal scored 40 or more points for the fifth consecutive game, a school record. Running back Justin Forsett rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown, a performance that earned him conference player of the week honors. Receiver DeSean Jackson hauled in a TD pass and returned a punt for a score.

Against the Cougars: Cal leads, 37-25-5. Before the Bears’ 42-38 victory last year, WSU had won the four consecutive meetings, six of the prior seven. The Bears haven’t won in Pullman since 1979.

Washington connections: Sophomore LB Anthony Feldere and freshman DB Brandon Jones, both from Seattle’s O’Dea High School. Offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar is a 1972 Lakes High graduate and started coaching at Pacific Lutheran. Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory was born in Spokane and played at Gonzaga Prep and WSU (1987). Offensive line coach Jim Michalczik is from Port Angeles and played at WSU (1988).

Scouting report: Don’t look now, but the Bears are back in the top 10 after starting the season ranked No. 9 before stumbling in their opener at Tennessee (35-18). Cal is rolling offensively – in scoring (39.5 points per game), total offense (447.5 ypg) and touchdowns (32). The Bears’ defense has forced 16 turnovers, including 11 interceptions.

Did you know? Under Tedford’s guidance, six college quarterbacks have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

 

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