The Cougars get another chance at a fresh start. Coming off a season-opening defeat at Qwest Field in Wulff’s first game as head coach, the WSU football team (0-1) is poised to bounce back this Saturday against Cal at the newly renovated Martin Stadium as fans get their first look at a new coach and quarterback in Pullman. The stadium will host its first game of the 2008 season against Pac-10 rival Cal, a team coming off a 38-31 triumph over Michigan State University at home last weekend. “They’re a very physical football team on both sides of the ball,” Wulff said. “They’ve got an athletic quarterback, and from a talent standpoint, they’re definitely one of the top teams in the conference.” The Golden Bears defeated WSU 20-17 last season on the Bears’ home turf and claimed the previous matchup in Pullman, trouncing the Cougars 21-3 in 2006. However, the Cougars have won nine of their last 10 games against Cal at Martin Stadium and are looking to get back on track after an abysmal opener in Seattle. Quarterback Kevin Riley led Cal in its opener, completing 17 of 24 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was delivered to the Golden Bears’ top tight end, junior Cameron Morrah, who also caught five passes for 93 yards.
“It’s going to be a heck of a challenge for us,” Wulff said. “But at the same time we have them at home, and if our kids take steps that we believe they can take, it’s going to be a heck of a ball game.” The Cougars will keep busy with Cal’s somewhat stingy defense, made of four senior linebackers. The Golden Bears looked defensively sound against the Spartans in their opener, with no defensive touchdowns allowed, five punts forced and one interception in the first half to build a 10-point cushion. “They play fast, they play hard,” WSU quarterback Gary Rogers said about Cal’s defense. “We’re looking to go out there and match their intensity. They’ve got some really good players. The front line and the linebackers are the strength of their defense.” The Golden Bears collapsed on defense in the second half, allowing MSU to tally 17 points in the fourth quarter but held on for the victory. Cal runs a stealthy 3-4 defense that’s sure to cause problems for the WSU offense, which hopes to create an improved tempo from its loss to Oklahoma State University. “They’re all aggressive and explosive,” WSU wide receiver Brandon Gibson said. “They’re a good defense and a formidable opponent. We want to play with a better tempo.”
Notes: The Cougars have won 14 of their last 16 Martin Stadium openers, including a current seven-game winning streak.
The kicking situation hasn’t improved for the Cougars, who are still searching for a kicker to solidify the starting job. Wade Penner, Patrick Rooney and Nico Grasu all struggled at Wednesday’s practice. Penner is the current starter, but he missed an extra point in the team’s opener versus OSU.
The 1988 WSU football team, which claimed the Aloha Bowl title and halted an 82-year bowl drought for the school, will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s game. Wulff and WSU special teams coach Steve Broussard are among those honored on the 20th anniversary of the 24-22 victory over No. 14-ranked Houston.
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