Swogger’s return, Hill’s departure

COUGARS

The paper was full of Pac-10 and WSU news this morning, even if it wasn’t all about current Pac-10 or WSU players.

Case in point: John Blanchette’s column concerning the return this week of former Coug quarterback Josh Swogger (right; Associated Press photo). Swogger will be at the controls of Montana’s offense this Saturday when the Griz play at EWU.

Back to current Cougs and Pac-10 players, wide receiver Jason Hill had to leave Pullman this week to attend to his sick mother in Northern California. Hill will reportedly be back in time for Saturday’s game at Oregon State (4 p.m., FSN).

There’s more on the Hill situation, and other notes – including a somewhat-funny Doba quote about what the defense is working on this week – on Glenn Kasses’ blog.

Speaking of the Oregon State game, the Times’ Bud Withers is campaigning to have future game’s in this matchup moved to Qwest Field.

Glenn’s Pac-10 notes lead with the travails of the “poor” Cal Bears, who are still trying to live down their awful showing in the opener at Tennessee. Since that nationally televised butt-kicking, the Bears have won four consecutive games and have scored at least 41 points in each one.

Remember how November used to dog Mike Price – sort of like a monkey on his back? For Bill Doba’s crew, they suffer the woes of October, having last won a game during the month in 2003.

The Cougs also have yet to overcome the woes of losing to SC last week, according to Todd Milles’ story in the News Tribune.