The state of WSU football
Locals gather for the Cougar Classic golf tournament to raise money for the WSU Athletic Foundation
MOSES LAKE - Bill Doba got a monkey off his back by winning the Apple Cup, has two quarterbacks to choose from and four preseason candidates - all seems well in the WSU football camp.
"I am really excited about the season," Doba said, and for good reason.
The third year head coach of Washington State University's football program has nine returning offensive players and six returning defensive players from last year's team. Added to the mix is four, All-American candidates — punter Kyle Basler, linebacker Will Derting, receiver Jason Hill and punt and kickoff returner Michael Bumpus.
The Cougars and Doba came off their worst season since the 2000 season when WSU finished 4-7 and 2-6 in league. Last year, the Cougars finished 5-6 on the season and 3-5 in the Pac-10 and missed a bowl berth for the first time in three years.
Josh Swogger started the season as the starting quarterback, but left midway through and Alex Brink took over. Brink stepped in and led WSU to its first Apple Cup victory since 1997.
But despite Brink's successes during the second half of the season, Doba said Swogger has maintained the starting job.
"Somebody has to take that first snap in the fall and it will be Josh Swogger," Doba said, but added: "Alex Brink played well enough the last half of the season that he deserves a chance to compete for the job."
Doba said making that choice this season depends on how both quarterbacks open up the season against non-league opponents Idaho, Nevada and Grambling State. Both quarterbacks will get equal time behind the center, Doba said, before WSU faces Pac-10 opponent Oregon State on October 1.
The Pac-10 is open from the No. 2 spot down with USC controlling that top place before the season gets started. Doba said Arizona State and California are viable opponents this season, but Washington proves to be the dark horse of the division.
"Washington has a lot coming back, plus a new coaching staff, so it is hard to tell what they are going to do," Doba added on the state of the Pac-10.
On offense, the Cougars will return running back Jerome Harrison, who rushed for 900 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior last season and Jason Hill, who started in all 11 games for WSU, hauling in 45 receptions for 1,007 yards and set a WSU receiver record with 12 touchdowns.
The offensive line lost Calvin Armstrong (first team all Pac-10) and Sam Lightbody (second team all Pac-10) and the defense lost free safety Hamza Abdullah, strong safety Jeremy Bohannon, cornerback Karl Paymah (Pac-10 Honorable Mention), defensive tackle Steve Cook and linebacker Pat Bennett.
Doba said his biggest concern for the upcoming season is filling the holes left in the secondary by the loss of both Bohannon and Paymah, who combined for five interceptions and 95 tackles.
Also missing from the defense is Will Derting, who is coming off surgery to repair a broken bone. Doba expects the preseason All-American to be ready for opening day.
"He is special," Doba said.
The recruiting class for the Cougars is highlighted by junior college transfer running back Lorenzo Bursey and high school unknown linebacker Courtney Williams.
Doba compared Bursey to Michael Bumpus and said Williams' speed matches that of the fastest athletes on the track team.
"He's got some great, all out speed," Doba said of Williams. "He has a chance just because of his speed and natural ability."
After finishing the season seventh in the Pac-10 and recording a losing season, Doba believes the Cougars have shown the work ethic to push WSU toward the top of the conference.
"They think they can and that is 90 percent of it," Doba said. "The players have confidence."