Games getting closer for Pac-10
COUGARS
It must be getting closer to game week. Tensions are rising, positions are being filled, injured players are making miraculous recoveries and there are stories, multiple stories, from Cal and Stanford. Read on for your morning fix.
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• Washington State: There is, as usual, our position preview. This one is about the linebackers and the depth WSU has, and is building, there. One thing I didn't mention in the story is the potential of a couple freshmen, Andre Barrington and, I have to pull out the roster before I type this, Sekope Kaufusi. You probably know a little about the highly recruited Barrington, the 6-foot-1, 214-pound athlete from Federal Way, but Kaufusi is a little more of a revelation. The 6-3, 229-pounder from Woodside High in Palo Alto will probably redshirt, but watching him move on the practice field and looking at the potential he has to build muscle, I could see another speed rushing defensive end in the future. Right now, however, he's making plays on the scout team. ... Bellevue High's Eric Block was an outstanding wing-T quarterback in high school. But at WSU he's been a safety. And, as a redshirt sophomore, he's just starting to make a mark. Bud Withers of the Times delves into part of the reason it's been a wait for Block. ... Freelancer Howie Stalwick has a short practice report. ... The Associated Press' Tim Booth talked with former Cougar Andy Roof at Central Washington, home to, according to Roof, the best college football team in the state.
• Around the Pac-10: Which school has the best quarterbacks in the Pac-10? ESPN.com's Ted Miller attempts to answer that question. ... Washington: There was an excitement in the air Tuesday at Husky Stadium. Former coach Don James came for a visit. ... Former Ferris High star Cameron Elisara is having the camp of his career at UW. ... Oregon State: It looks like, for the first time in coach Mike Riley's career, the Beavers will have a true freshman start on the offensive line. ... Oregon: The Ducks scrimmage was closed, but everyone wanted to talk afterward. ... Cal: Sorry, I counted incorrectly. There aren't two stories from each Bay Area school. There's one about the Bears and three from ... Stanford: Yes, three. The receiving corps sounds a lot like WSU's: deep but unproven, especially considering they are working with a young quarterback. Everyone is wondering how the Cardinal will do. ... USC: Speaking of young quarterbacks, there are two of them back battling for the starting spot for the Trojans now that Aaron Corp has returned to practice. ...UCLA: Make now mistake, the offensive line is the Bruins' key unit. ... Arizona State: The Sun Devils suspended defensive end James Brooks for three games. ... Arizona: OK, the Wildcats still don't have a starting quarterback (sound familiar?). But they have answered three big questions.
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• That's it for this morning. One practice today at 3 p.m. Also, we have our defensive backs preview. We'll be back with both after practice. Until then …
