Future appears bright

PULLMAN – If all’s well that ends well, the 2004 Washington State University football season would be judged an unqualified success.

The Cougars capped off the year with a 28-25 win before a jubilant home crowd, claiming the Apple Cup for the first time since 1997 and sending WSU into the off-season with a smile on its face.

Of course, calling 2004 an unqualified success would be misguided. WSU finished the year – even with that Apple Cup win – 5-6 and on the outside peering through the glass (of its TV set) when it comes to bowl season.

It’s the first time since 2000 that WSU failed to notch a winning season, or even a 10-win season, for that matter. Expectations coming into 2004 had been taken down a notch given a superb graduating class that left the cupboard relatively bare by comparison, but make no mistake: The Cougars had no plans to sit out the month of December.

Looking back, two games jump out above all others on the list of what-ifs that in the end define the 2004 WSU season. In the second game of the year, the Cougars wasted a fine defensive effort against eventual Big 12 North champion Colorado with a baffling midgame quarterback shuffle and a general lack of execution on offense in a 20-12 loss. Previously, WSU hadn’t lost in two games at Seattle’s Qwest Field, but that went down the tubes against the Buffaloes.

In October, the Cougars were in complete control in their Pac-10 home opener against Oregon, up by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. But where the defense had previously been stout, WSU suddenly turned into a sieve, allowing 646 yards of total offense and 27 fourth-quarter points in a 41-38 loss that touched off a four-game losing streak that essentially took the Cougars out of the bowl picture for good.

So, while the Apple Cup was clearly the highlight, it was not enough to overshadow the disappointments of 2004. As such, here are three things that went wrong, then three that went right in 2004, as well as the major off-season concerns and questions that confront WSU heading into 2005.

What went wrong:

1. Defensive breakdown

Beginning with that Oregon game, the Cougars experienced a surprising struggle to stop opposing offenses for the rest of the season.

Ducks quarterback Kellen Clemens showed that teams could effectively pass the ball on WSU, and other teams on the schedule exploited the Cougars secondary, which allowed 21 touchdown passes on the season. By year’s end, the Cougars had allowed 27.9 points a game.

Middle linebacker Will Derting, a preseason All-American, had some difficulties with the transition from outside to middle linebacker this season as well. His progress was stunted over the course of the year, however, by a dislocated wrist suffered in training camp that required surgery after the season.

2. Injury issues

Derting’s injury wasn’t the only one on the Cougars’ roster. WSU didn’t have an unusual number of injuries during the year, but they tended to come in bunches and at the same positions.

Against Colorado, starting defensive tackles Steve Cook and Ropati Pitoitua were injured. Two weeks later, tight ends Troy Bienemann and Cody Boyd went down.

The most visible injury, though, was the broken foot that took starting quarterback Josh Swogger off the field in mid-October. While Alex Brink turned in some good performances as his replacement, the lack of continuity clearly damaged WSU’s season.

3. Martin Stadium malaise

The defensive difficulties with nine new starters? Understandable. The injuries? They happen. But the Cougars’ inability to win at home? Baffling.

WSU went 2-3 in Martin Stadium, and the teams it beat, Idaho and Washington, combined for four wins on the season. The Cougars lost to Oregon, Stanford and No. 1 USC at home. While the loss to the Trojans came as no shock, a winning record at home would have meant a bowl game for WSU.

What went right:

1. Breakthrough performances

With so many new starters on hand, the Cougars knew someone needed to step into the spotlight.

On offense, wide receivers Jason Hill (a school-record 12 touchdown catches), Michael Bumpus (two punt returns for touchdown) and running back Jerome Harrison (900 yards rushing) all displayed the ability to be playmakers.

On defense, freshman defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua showed flashes of brilliance and as he continues to fill out coaches think he could become a star. Linebacker Scott Davis stepped into the outside role vacated by Derting and was a consistent force. Cornerback Alex Teems was often the most effective Cougar in the secondary despite no starting experience before 2004.

2. Running game rediscovered

After the offensive line looked shaky and starting tailback Chris Bruhn had difficulty breaking tackles in September, it appeared WSU would be a pass-only team on offense.

But Harrison stepped into the lead rushing role and the blocking improved, giving the Cougars a fairly dependable running game that was responsible for an upset road win at UCLA to end the four-game skid.

Harrison proved to be a patient runner with a burst, and his return for a senior year in 2005 provides hope for next year on the ground.

3. Clutch wins

WSU had its share of bad losses, but it did show the ability to win the close game. With the exception of a blowout win against Idaho, WSU’s other four wins came by a total of 10 points.

In part it was indicative of a young team that couldn’t put away weaker teams. But it also showed the Cougars had mental fortitude and the ability to gut out fourth-quarter victories, a trait they’ll need if a bowl return is on the horizon in 2005.

Looking ahead, the first question concerning 2005 is the quarterback situation. Head coach Bill Doba wants to have a clear-cut starter by the end of spring practice, but Swogger started six games, Brink five and freshman Gary Rogers impressed in practice.

Beyond that, the Cougars will need to replace both starting tackles on offense and three members of the secondary on defense. WSU didn’t have the luxury of December practices leading up to a bowl game, but the extra weight-room time could be a benefit for the younger players.

In 2005, Cougars fans are sure to expect a return to the upper echelon of the Pac-10 after the rebuilding year, including another Apple Cup win.