Judgment Day For Cougars Washington State Receives Verdict On Its Preparation For 5th-Ranked Colorado

As tests go, this one’s a bit like trying to pass the state bar after losing to the neighbors on People’s Court.

But the Washington State football team, a mere 2-6 on its trip around the Pacific-10 Conference block last season, has declared itself prepared for what figures to be a comprehensive examination against fifth-ranked Colorado today.

“I think we’re confidently optimistic, but we’ve worked real hard, so we’re not intimidated,” said WSU coach Mike Price, whose Colorado counterpart, Rick Neuheisel, happens to own a law degree from USC. “We’re anxious. We’ve got so many new guys, we’re kind of anxious to see what they can do.”

Several WSU newcomers are set to make their major-college debuts before a Folsom Field crowd of more than 50,000 and a far greater national television audience. How they perform will go a long way in determining whether the Cougars start the season on a positive note.

“The whole nation’s going to find out if they’re as good as I think they are,” Price said. “There are people who have never played on national television before - never. So we’re indoctrinating them in how we do things at this level.

“Meanwhile, we’ve got to play Colorado.”

Running back Michael Black and defensive end Dorian Boose, both junior-college transfers, will start today. They figure to be WSU’s pivotal newcomers. Starting defensive tackle Leon Bender, who missed last season after playing one game in 1994, is another key addition.

Still, few expect the Cougars to contend against a Colorado team that returns 16 starters from a 10-2 squad that blitzed Oregon in the Cotton Bowl. The Buffaloes, led by quarterback Koy Detmer and linebacker Matt Russell, are 20-point favorites in Las Vegas.

As Price put it, “We’re not looking by Colorado for the Temple game (next week), I guarantee you that.”

Neuheisel, for his part, knows better than to take WSU lightly. Eight years ago, when Neuheisel was an assistant at UCLA, Dennis Erickson’s Cougars shocked the topranked Bruins 34-30.

“If I hadn’t had as much experience in the Pac-10, I might (tend to take them lightly),” Neuheisel said. “But having played against Washington State for several years - both as a player (at UCLA) and as a coach - I know exactly what kind of talent they have.”

To beat Colorado, the Cougars will need sophomore quarterback Ryan Leaf to continue what he started in the final two games last season. During competitive losses to Stanford and Washington, Leaf gave WSU reason for optimism, completing 48 of 77 passes for 564 yards in what amounted to his first extended playing time as a Cougar.

“You look at him and you know he’s just going to get better and better as he gets more and more experience,” Neuheisel said. “I’m thankful, as a matter of fact, we’re playing him in the first game.”

A sore throwing arm kept Leaf from playing much in the Cougars’ final two fall scrimmages, but the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder resumed passing this week.

“Ryan’s arm’s fine,” Price said. “Not sore at all. Raring to go. Resting him worked out perfectly because he doesn’t have any kind of nagging injury.”

In his second college start, Leaf faces an attacking Colorado defense that lives by the big play. In the process, the Buffaloes give up a few home runs, too.

“They propel themselves on making big plays - fumbles, interceptions,” Leaf said. “It’s gotta be a mistake-free ballgame for us, I think.

“They like to come after the quarterback and blitz a little to jump-start their defense.”

Colorado defensive end Greg Jones had eight sacks last year and presents a potential matchup problem for the right side of WSU’s offensive line, where sophomore tackle Rob Rainville is making his first college start.

“I got in one game against Oregon State last year, and it was like 2 minutes left in the game,” said the 6-5, 317-pound Rainville, a Lewiston High graduate. “And now I open up in Boulder. So yeah, it’s going to be wild. I’m a little nervous, but after the first couple plays, it’s going to be fun.”

Rainville will share playing time with junior Ryan McShane, who has been limited by nagging injuries.

The Colorado offense, meanwhile, is among the best in the powerful Big 12 Conference. Detmer’s play-fake often makes safeties overreact, opening the field for a talented group of receivers that includes all-conference selection Rae Carruth.

“I think what you need to do against a quarterback like that is change up the blitz situations,” Price said. “He can get the ball off in just about any situation. We have to prevent the big play - faking the run and throwing deep.”

Notes

WSU defensive tackle Gary Holmes, who missed most of fall practices with a bad back, made the trip and will back up Delmar Morais. … Paul Mencke, a freshman from Lewis and Clark High School, made the trip and will serve as the Cougars’ third-string quarterback. … Defensive lineman Da’vid Evans remained in Pullman with an injured knee. … Shawn Tims, Chad Carpenter and Shawn McWashington will be the starting receivers. Kevin McKenzie, limited by a sore hamstring, is expected to play. … ABC’s Brent Musburger, Dick Vermeil and sideline reporter Jack Arute will call the game on television.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

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COUGARS AT COLORADO Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. PDT at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo. Records: Season opener for both schools. Coaches: WSU, Mike Price (38-41-0, 8th year, 84-85 overall, 16th year); Colorado, Rick Neiheisel (10-2-0, 2nd year). TV/Radio: Live on ABC TV, KXLY AM 920 radio. Pregame at 10:30 a.m.