Cougs Out To Right 5-6 Wrong Improvement In ‘97 Could Hinge On Leaf’s Continued Development

Before the season, a 5-6 record might have seemed about right for a Washington State football team with an inexperienced quarterback and so many new faces.

Then came the Cougars’ 5-2 start and, with it, inflated expectations.

So what if the wins had come against Temple, San Jose State, Oregon, Oregon State and Cal? This team was bowl-bound.

Then came November and, well, 5-6 doesn’t seem so right.

Looking back, WSU’s up-anddown season included several critical moments.

The Fateful Four:

Sept. 28, vs. San Jose State: Tackle Delmar Morais suffered a season-ending knee injury, depriving the Cougars’ defensive line of a three-man interior rotation.

Tackles Leon Bender and Gary Holmes were dominant at times, but wore down late in games. The fourth-quarter letdown against USC provides the best example.

By the end of the season, Bender and Holmes were hobbled by injuries, further weakening the Cougars’ run defense (see: Dillon, Corey).

Oct. 5, at Arizona: WSU was at the UA 13-yard line with 3:09 left in the fourth quarter, needing seven points to pull into a 27-27 tie.

It never happened. Instead, quarterback Ryan Leaf was blindsided and fumbled after a mixup in WSU’s blitz protection, leading to a 34-26 loss.

Backup tailback Miguel Meriwether, who had played admirably in the absence of injured starter Michael Black, blocked to the wrong side on the critical play - allowing Armon Williams to level Leaf.

Arizona recovered Leaf’s fumble, and WSU would fall to 3-2.

Oct. 26, vs. USC: Trailing 29-24 with 49 seconds left, WSU had possession at USC’s 11-yard line.

But the Cougars would get no closer. Cruelly, this one also would end with Leaf fumbling while being sacked.

This time, a breakdown in communication could be blamed.

Receiver Nian Taylor had been unable to hear Leaf’s play-call and subsequently ran the wrong route. In the confusion, Leaf was hit and fumbled.

Sammy Knight recovered for USC, spoiling an excellent chance for the Cougars to beat the Trojans for the first time since 1986.

Nov. 16, at Stanford: Leading 14-0 in the second quarter, WSU decided to try a 48-yard field goal on fourth-and-4.

Tony Truant had missed short field goals in each of the Cougars’ two previous games, and rainy conditions made this attempt seem dubious.

Stanford blocked it, giving the Cardinal hope. WSU would never regain momentum, losing 33-17.

Compounding the Cougars’ frustration was last week’s overtime loss to Washington. And while that defeat continues to linger in the mind of coach Mike Price, the future bears hope.

Leaf, Black and at least five capable receivers return.

Leaf earned honorable mention from the Pacific-10 Conference in his first full season as the starter, but needs to reemphasize fundamentals. The sophomore too often relied on his strong arm, holding the ball too long and throwing off-balance.

“He needs a lot of throwing just to work on his individual quarterback techniques,” Price said, “which he has discussed with me already - talking about what he needs to do to improve for next year.

“So his mind is set and his mind is right already. He’s certainly not satisfied with his performance or our won-loss record, and he means to do something about it.”

Defensively, the Cougars figure to have one of the best lines in the conference. All four starters return, as should Morais.

To get back above .500, the Cougars need immediate help in the offensive line and defensive secondary.

Price said he is making those areas the focus of junior-college recruiting, the goal being to find at least two players that can step in right away.

“If we could get one guy in the offensive line and one in the secondary - those would be the two areas,” Price said. “I don’t know if one is more or less (important) than the other.”

Linebacker is also a concern. James Darling and Johnny Nansen will be missed, and it is uncertain whether the Cougars can get by with Brandon Moore, Steve Gleason, Todd Nelson and Kenny Moore.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: LOOKING BACK AND AHEAD Starters lost (8): Offense (4) Chad Carpenter, split end Bryan Chiu, right guard David Knuff, tight end Scott Sanderson, left tackle

Defense (4) James Darling, middle linebacker Derek Henderson, free safety Shad Hinchen, cornerback Johnny Nansen, linebacker

Starters returning (14): Offense (7) Michael Black, tailback Ryan Leaf, quarterback Jason McEndoo, left guard Ryan McShane, right tackle Shawn McWashington, flanker Shawn Tims, slotback Cory Withrow, center

Defense (7) Leon Bender, tackle Dorian Boose, end Shane Doyle, end Gary Holmes, tackle Brandon Moore, weakside linebacker Dee Moronkola, cornerback (started last three games) Duane Stewart, strong safety

Other losses Terrell Henderson, cornerback (started first eight games)

The future is now: Players expected to step up LeJuan Gibbons, junior*, cornerback Steve Gleason, sophomore*, linebacker Ray Jackson, senior*, free safety Love Jefferson, senior*, tight end Kevin McKenzie, senior*, slotback Ivan Mercer, sophomore*, tight end Kenny Moore, senior*, linebacker Todd Nelson, senior*, linebacker Rob Rainville, junior*, offensive lineman Jesse Ratcliff, sophomore*, defensive end (redshirt) Nian Taylor, junior*, split end Eboni Wilson, sophomore*, defensive end (redshirt) * - 1997 class

Expected strengths Defensive line: All four starters return, and former starter Delmar Morais should be recovered from knee injury that cut short his 1996 season. Redshirt sophomore Eboni Wilson may also contribute. Skill positions: Quarterback Ryan Leaf and tailback Michael Black are already among the best in the Pac-10 at their positions. Receiver is another strength - look for Nian Taylor to have a breakthrough season.

Areas to address: Offensive line: Departure of Scott Sanderson and Bryan Chiu weakens an already thin unit. Grades permitting, one-time projected starter Geoff Pierce could return to the team. Coach Mike Price also intends to sign one junior-college transfer. Tight end: The football future of Jon Kincaid has been in doubt since the junior suffered a serious ankle injury against Oregon, accentuating the departure of David Knuff. Love Jefferson and Ivan Mercer are candidates. Linebacker: Although this unit has been a traditional strength, Todd Nelson, Kenny Moore and Steve Gleason aren’t James Darling and Johnny Nansen. Secondary: Dee Moronkola will start at one corner, with LeJuan Gibbons a candidate for the other. Duane Stewart returns at strong safety, with Ray Jackson the likely free safety. Again, Price intends to sign a junior-college transfer.