Lobbestael back behind center for WSU

  • By Nicholas K. Geranios Associated Press
  • Wednesday, September 7, 2011 12:01am
  • Sports

SPOKANE — There were periods when Washington State quarterback Marshall Lobbestael wondered if he would ever get meaningful playing time again.

A fractured collarbone suffered by starter Jeff Tuel in the season opener has thrust Lobbestael back into the center of the WSU offense.

No problem for Lobbestael. He carved up Idaho State for 230 yards passing Saturday, and now is preparing for UNLV this weekend.

Lobbestael was thrown into the starting job as a freshman in 2008 when the two quarterbacks above him were injured and he played well before a knee injury ended his season. He also started three games in 2009 before Tuel earned the job midway through his freshman year.

Last season, Lobbestael languished on the bench, throwing just 15 passes in six games.

“When it first happened, I didn’t have the best attitude,” said Lobbestael, a fifth-year senior from Oak Harbor.

But with time came maturity and Lobbestael accepted his role as a backup, preparing for each game whether he played or not.

“I felt that being comfortable with myself and my role on the team helped me a lot,” said Lobbestael, a psychology major. “It’s not about one, two and three and who is better. It’s about how can I help the team win.”

Lobbestael actually had to step in twice on Saturday. Tuel woke up that morning with a stomach virus, and Lobbestael was told about an hour before kickoff that he would start.

He responded by completing his first six passes and directing WSU to a 14-0 lead against overmatched Idaho State.

Tuel felt well enough to go in, and the coaching staff agreed.

“He’s our leader,” coach Paul Wulff said. “I felt he was going to play a couple of series and then we’d get him out.”

It didn’t work out that way. On his fifth play, Tuel was flushed out of the pocket and ran right. Rather than slide to safety, he ran out of bounds and was tackled.

“We tell him all the time about not taking unnecessary hits,” said offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy. “Jeff is a very, very competitive person and will not back down to anybody.”

Tuel got up and ran one more play, completing a pass that set up a WSU field goal.

But it became clear that Tuel had injured his left clavicle, and Lobbestael went in again. He went on to finish 14 of 19 for 230 yards, with a touchdown and no interceptions. The Cougars piled up 590 yards against the Bengals, and their 64 points were the most since they scored 77 against Southwestern Louisiana in 1997.

Tuel is expected to be out six to eight weeks, but Wulff doesn’t expect to have to make many changes on offense to accommodate Lobbestael.

“He doesn’t have to be the whole offense,” Wulff said. “We have enough weapons around him now to offer a balanced attack. There will not be a major change in terms of what we do.”

Wulff said Lobbestael went through a difficult period when he lost his starting job to a freshman. But he remained committed to WSU football.

“He was hell-bent on being part of the change and bringing us back to a competitive program,” Wulff said.

Lobbestael is aware his starting stint is likely temporary.

Still, he’s going to keep doing what he’s been doing.

“I don’t think I change now,” he said. “I just have to stay within myself, just relax out there and be one of the 11.”

Notes

It appears Washington State has found a running game this season. Rickey Galvin rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Marcus Mason had a 65-yard touchdown run. The team rushed for 289 yards and averaged 8 yards per carry against Idaho State … Washington State is 1-0 for the first time in Wulff’s four years as head coach.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.