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Trojan Horse Takes A Toll On Cougars

By Steve Bergum steveb@spokesman.com

The physical beating that Southern California put on Washington State in Los Angeles’ Memorial Coliseum Saturday proved to be worse than first thought.

And the injuries that resulted from that beating could prove crippling to the Cougars slim bowl hopes as they head into the second half of their schedule needing to win four of their last five games to qualify for post-season play.

Oregon, the defending Pacific-10 Conference champion, is next up. And there is a chance WSU might make this weekend’s trip to Eugene with as many as three starters sidelined with injuries.

Coach Mike Price announced Sunday that middle linebacker James Darling (hip pointer), free safety Derek Henderson (ribs) and running back Derek Sparks (ankle sprain) were listed as doubtful on head trainer Mark Smaha’s weekly injury report.

Henderson is the least likely to play, Price indicated, adding that it has yet to be determined whether his injury is a bruise or torn cartilage between the ribs.

When asked how he assessed his team’s situation heading into a stretch run that also includes road games at California (Nov. 4) and Washington (Nov. 18) and home matchups against Arizona (Oct. 28) and Stanford (Nov. 11), Price said:

“I think we can compete with all the teams on our schedule. Our attitude is good, we’re upbeat and positive. But the injury factor is going to be very important going into these next games.”

Price said Terrell Henderson, a starter earlier in the year, will probably replace Derek Henderson at safety, with Phillip Glover filling in for Darling at middle linebacker. Frank Madu, the Cougars’ leading rusher, will take over for Sparks, with Kwame Stewart moving up to the No. 2 running back spot.

There will be some other personnel changes, too, according to Price. But those will involve special teams, which performed horribly in Saturday’s 26-14 loss to USC.

Price pointed out that WSU’s averaging starting point following Trojan kickoffs was its own 21-yard line. Following punts, it was the 24.

In contrast, USC’s averaging starting point was its own 41 following kickoffs and 36 following punts.

“It wasn’t the kicks, it was the returns,” Price said.

In an attempt to cure the problem, Price said he pressed starters Johnny Nansen, Chris Hayes, Frank Madu and Shad Hinchen back into special teams duty.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PAC-10 STANDINGS League Overall W L T PF PA W L T USC 4 0 0 114 40 6 0 0 Wash. 3 0 0 87 64 4 2 0 Oregon 2 1 0 111 89 5 1 0 Stanford 2 1 0 86 87 4 1 1 WSU 2 1 0 78 55 3 3 0 UCLA 1 2 0 63 72 4 2 0 Arizona 1 2 0 40 63 3 3 0 ASU 1 3 0 68 95 2 5 0 Cal 0 3 0 61 98 1 5 0 OSU 0 3 0 41 86 1 5 0 Saturday’s games USC at Notre Dame UCLA at Stanford Washington at Arizona Washington St. at Oregon California at Oregon St.

This sidebar appeared with the story: PAC-10 STANDINGS League Overall W L T PF PA W L T USC 4 0 0 114 40 6 0 0 Wash. 3 0 0 87 64 4 2 0 Oregon 2 1 0 111 89 5 1 0 Stanford 2 1 0 86 87 4 1 1 WSU 2 1 0 78 55 3 3 0 UCLA 1 2 0 63 72 4 2 0 Arizona 1 2 0 40 63 3 3 0 ASU 1 3 0 68 95 2 5 0 Cal 0 3 0 61 98 1 5 0 OSU 0 3 0 41 86 1 5 0 Saturday’s games USC at Notre Dame UCLA at Stanford Washington at Arizona Washington St. at Oregon California at Oregon St.