No. 1 Trojans impress Doba
PULLMAN – Bill Doba spent Sunday at a matinee. On the screen was what could be described as a slasher flick.
Or a horror film.
It was top-ranked USC’s offense and defense. Not the kind of film you’ll see at Sundance or Cannes, but Doba still gives the Trojans two thumbs up.
“I don’t think there is any doubt they are No. 1 after watching them on tape; they are a very good football team,” Washington State’s head coach said Monday.
Then he went into his Richard Roeper-like critique, enumerating why the Trojans deserve the loftiest of rankings.
He commended the defensive line, singled out linebackers Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers for praise, extolled the virtues of the well-coached offensive line, called quarterback John David Booty “the glue that holds it all together,” and then admitted he was overwhelmed with the depth of talent at running back.
“They are a very athletic football team,” Doba summarized, “and well deserving of the No. 1 ranking.”
Which makes another Doba statement understandable. When asked if he would rather open Pacific-10 Conference play against USC – as is the case Saturday night at 5 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – or if he would rather face the Trojans later, Doba quipped, “I’d rather not play them.”
Then he got serious.
“I look at it as a challenge and as a great opportunity,” he said. “How many times in a college player’s lifetime will he have the chance to go against the No. 1 team in the nation?”
When informed this will be the Cougars’ third time in four years – all against USC – he laughed. “If you want to play the No. 1 team in the nation, come to Washington State, right,” Doba said.
If the Cougars want to pull off the upset, the defense will have to get off to a better start than it has in the first three games. WSU has given up a touchdown on all three opening drives.
“Much of it is the speed of the game with an inexperienced team,” Doba explained. “It’s hard to get that same picture in practice with your scout team. With more and more experience I think they’ll get out of the blocks a little quicker.
“Fortunately, the offense has kept us in the game.”
The offense is averaging 37 points a game – only good for fifth in the Pac-10, which prompted this Doba comment: “That tells you a little bit about the Pac-10; it’s a pretty prolific conference.” WSU is second in passing and total offense.
The Cougars will go against a USC team that is third in the conference in total defense, but is ninth in passing defense, giving up 272 yards a game, including 389 against Nebraska.
“We’re extremely comfortable right now,” said receiver Michael Bumpus of the passing game. “It’s nice to see the hard work pay off. We had guys stay up here all summer, especially on offense. We were just (running) routes after routes. We’re prepared and that’s very important when you go out there.”
Plus quarterback Alex Brink has completed 73.6 percent of his passes and leads the conference with 315.7 yards per game.
“This is the best I’ve seen him play since I’ve been up here,” Bumpus said. “Everything just looks easy for him.”
Notes
The last time WSU defeated the No. 1 team in the nation was in 1988, when Dennis Erickson’s Cougars beat UCLA 34-30 in the Rose Bowl. Quarterbacks coach Timm Rosenbach and running back coach Steve Broussard were part of that team. … In the past 50 years, WSU has a 1-7 record against top-ranked teams. Four of the losses were to USC. … The WSU passing attack is pacing Pac-10 statistics. Bumpus leads the conference in receptions, averaging 7.33 per game, with Brandon Gibson second at 6.67. Gibson’s 93 receiving yards a game is No. 1 with Bumpus second at 91. Brink is tops in passing yards and total offense and second – to Oregon’s Dennis Dixon – in passing efficiency. … Dwight Tardy is fifth in rushing at 101 yards per game, right behind USC’s Stefon Johnson (104).
“The Cougars are mostly healthy, with starting defensive end Mike Graise nursing a dislocated pinkie that broke the skin Saturday night. He had surgery and is expected to play. Defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua had an X-ray on his foot Monday but played with no ill-effect Saturday. Romeo Pellum is recovering from a concussion. … Lance Broadus will start if Graise doesn’t and will definitely play more. Broadus, who had 7.5 sacks last season, is coming off shoulder surgery and has seen limited action the last two games. … Wade Penner will probably do kickoffs against USC with Romeen Abdollmohammadi the placements. … WSU’s game at Arizona on Sept. 29 will be broadcast by FSN at 7 p.m.