Another Coug Lost To Injury Key Linebacker Nansen Breaks Jaw, Could Miss At Least Three Weeks

Washington State senior linebacker Johnny Nansen, who forced one fumble and recovered another in last week’s win at Oregon State, suffered a broken jaw in practice Tuesday and is expected to miss at least three weeks.

WSU trainer Mark Smaha indicated Wednesday night there is a chance Nansen could return in time for the Nov. 9 game at UCLA. More will be known after Nansen undergoes surgery today, Smaha said.

The 5-foot-11, 232-pound Nansen was struck in the chin when the crown of a running back’s helmet penetrated under his facemask, defensive coordinator Bill Doba said. Nansen didn’t realize the injury’s severity until after the next play, when he could no longer ignore the stream of blood.

According to witnesses, the jawbone had split at the chin, separating Nansen’s lower teeth. His jaw will be wired shut, Smaha said, and Nansen could have trouble maintaining his weight.

Nansen is one of the Cougars’ most respected players, coaches and teammates agreed. He ranks sixth on the team with 24 tackles and is a vocal leader on defense.

The loss of Nansen is just the latest setback for a linebacking rotation that was already without backup Steve Gleason (knee) for Saturday night’s home game against California.

In addition, weak-side linebacker Brandon Moore, who starts in front of Gleason, has been limited by a shoulder injury sustained against Oregon State.

Junior Kenny Moore will start in Nansen’s place on the strong side. Moore started the Sept. 28 game against San Jose State after Nansen underwent knee surgery.

Nansen will be missed most against the run. Cal averages more than 200 yards rushing per game.

“We need someone to step up,” middle linebacker James Darling said. “Against the run, all Johnny did was just go in there and hit somebody - cause some kind of chaos out there.

“I think that’s what Kenny has to do, because if we can stop the run and force them into long plays, I think we’ll be fine.”

Darling could end up moving to the weak side, with Todd Nelson starting in the middle and Moore on the strong side.

When Barnes stormed

Cal quarterback Pat Barnes was high on WSU’s recruiting list several years ago, but the Cougars couldn’t get the 6-4, 215-pounder to visit.

WSU coach Mike Price said Barnes may have cooled on WSU after his older brother, John, was heckled in Martin Stadium while playing for UCLA.

“John’s first pass, I think, was an interception for a touchdown and our fans got on him pretty good,” Price recalled. “And his parents, particularly his mom, were in the stands and didn’t like it very much.

“It is very tough on a parent to sit up there and hear people say negative things about their son playing.”

Glenn, Sanderson among best

Two of the best left tackles in college football will be on the field when the 19th-ranked Golden Bears visit Martin Stadium.

At 6-foot-6 and 350 pounds, Cal’s Tarik Glenn will be hard to miss. WSU’s Scott Sanderson may not be as big - he’s a mere 6-6, 296 - but the Bay Area native also is considered a likely first-round choice in the next NFL draft.

Draft analyst Mel Kiper recently projected Glenn as the 16th pick overall, two spots ahead of Sanderson.

“It’s flattering,” Sanderson said, “but, then again, it doesn’t mean anything until you actually sign the dotted line.”

Dice burns DB, but toasts knee

The college career of Richard Dice appears to be over after the Arizona receiver’s latest knee injury. But Dice, who once made four catches on a blown left knee, didn’t go out without a fight.

The senior humbled one of the best defensive backs in the conference during last week’s 14-7 loss at USC.

On consecutive plays against Daylon McCutcheon, Dice made a 34-yard catch, drew an interference penalty in the end zone and caught a 2-yard touchdown pass.

McCutcheon was so troubled by the sequence, he showed up Sunday at USC’s Heritage Hall a full 3 hours before the team was due to watch film.

No Haka Bowl

The NCAA Special Events Committee on Wednesday revoked certification of the Haka Bowl in New Zealand, ending the newest postseason game before it started.

A release from the NCAA’s offices in Overland Park, Kan., said the Haka Bowl failed to provide an irrevocable letter of credit that guarantees minimum revenues for schools involved and game expenses.

According to published reports, Haka Bowl organizers had to provide a $2 million letter of credit by Tuesday but were able to come up with only $700,000.

Around the Pac-10

Look for UCLA freshman running back Keith Brown to get more carries as the team takes some pressure off Skip Hicks. The Bruins visit Washington, which will be without leading tackler John Fiala (knee)… . USC guard Chris Brymer experienced only minor pain in his broken foot after running on it Sunday for the first time in a month. He hopes to play against No. 4 Arizona State this week… . The Trojans called a team meeting Friday night to address friction that had built up after their 22-15 home loss to Cal. Defensive tackle Darrell Russell, one of the so-called Niketown Four, was a featured speaker. “Everybody was on a different page,” said Russell, one of four starters suspended for the Cal game after trading in school-issued shoes for hipper Nike gear… . The UW-UCLA game will be televised on Prime Sports at 3:30 p.m. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CALIFORNIA AT WSU Saturday’s game at Martin Stadium in Pullman starts at 7:22 p.m. and will be televised on Prime Sports Northwest.