WSU could be Pac-10 favorite

By John K. Wiley

Associated Press

PULLMAN – In the afterglow of a Sun Bowl victory, Washington State coach Mike Price has a chance next season for something that has eluded him after three previous bowl appearances: a winning record.

The Cougars’ 10-2 mark this season – after beating Purdue 33-27 in the Sun Bowl on Monday – equals that of the 1997 team that lost to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

The following year, quarterback Ryan Leaf left before his senior year to seek his fortunes at San Diego in the NFL and the 1998 team went 3-9. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe did the same thing following the Cougars’ victory over Utah in the 1992 Copper Bowl and the 1993 team fell to 5-6.

The 1995 team went 3-9 after an Alamo Bowl victory over Baylor in 1994.

But now the Cougars will be a preseason favorite to win the Pacific-10 Conference with 13 starters and a group of young but experienced backups returning, supplemented by topflight transfers.

The Cougars will lose nine starters to graduation or NCAA eligibility, including All-America free safety Lamont Thompson, record-setting wide receiver Nakoa McElrath and running back David Minnich.

Quarterback Jason Gesser returns, as does All-Pac-10 first-team kicker Drew Dunning and all but one offensive lineman.

Gesser, a junior with little interest from the NFL and a year of eligibility left, led the conference this season with 3,010 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.

His favorite target, McElrath, set school single-season records with 72 receptions for 1,163 yards. He beat offensive coordinator Mike Levenseller’s mark of 67 receptions and bested Tim Stallworth’s 1,151-yard season.

Next season, Mike Bush, with another year of football eligibility, is expected to step up at the wideout spot. He caught 46 passes for 969 yards and 10 touchdowns. Backup Jerome Riley, who had 36 receptions for 630 yards and four TDs, also returns.

Price has recruited three top junior college running backs, who could compete with a handful of underclassmen to succeed Minnich. Kansas junior college star Jermaine Green appears to be Minnich’s heir-apparent.

Offensive lineman Joey Hollenbeck is among 19 seniors whose careers ended with the Sun Bowl, but the remainder of the line starters return.

Price has the largest holes to fill on the defense, particularly in the backfield.

Thompson and strong safety Billy Newman, both seniors, accounted for 168 tackles, and 14 interceptions – a record 10 by Thompson. Eric Coleman, freshman Aaron Joseph and senior Virgil Williams are likely replacements.

Linebackers Raonall Smith – the Cougars’ second-leading tackler with 79 – James Price and Alex Ngaue are leaving, as is defensive end Tupo Tuupo. Los Angeles junior college transfer Kevin Sperry and frequent starter Al Genatone are expected starters, and Ira Davis and sophomore Pat Bennett likely could compete for the spot.

Neither started, but D.D. Acholonu – who led the conference in sacks with 14 – and Isaac Brown combined for 26 sacks in reserve at defensive end this season and are expected to fight for Tuupo’s spot.

Marcus Trufant, who missed five games with a broken thumb, then returned to scramble the UCLA offense, will return at cornerback.