Obama draws cheers

PULLMAN – College football teams aren’t known for their deep philosophical discussions – even during an historic presidential election year.

The Washington State Cougars are no different.

“Being around the football team so much, it seems like it’s a little off-limits,” said junior Kenny Alfred, quite possibly the most eclectic thinker on the team, of political discussions. “There are times in the meal room where we talk a little bit, but it never goes past small talk.”

But even a team that would rather argue the relative merits of Call of Duty 4 vs. Halo 3 had some social conscience this election season.

Tuesday night, after the team meeting, coach Paul Wulff led his team in its usual “1-2-3, go Cougs” cheer.

“I gave the 1-2-3, everybody said, ‘Go,’ and half the group said, ‘Obama’ and the other half said, ‘Cougs,’ ” Wulff said.

Like most college students – some election-day exit polls had students preferring Obama over Republican rival John McCain 2-to-1 – the president-elect seems to have the support of a majority of Cougars players.

“It’s an exciting transition for our country,” Alfred, 22, said. “It’s just a much-needed change. It’s interesting and it’s very exciting.”

As excited as Alfred is over the change in direction, his fervor paled in comparison to that of defensive back Chima Nwachukwu, 19, who voted for the first time.

“It really gave us something to believe in – us as a youth, (and) us as an African-American people,” Nwachukwu said. “It felt like it was a people-powered revolution that Obama was running.

“And it felt like there was an ideal that was realized.”

Nwachukwu smiled broadly as he described his Tuesday night phone call with his mother, Ngozi, and her response to the election results.

“My mom was screaming when CNN declared he was the winner,” Nwachukwu said. “She was like, ‘Can’t believe I lived to see this day.’ It was real sense of pride that we can take full ownership now that he’s at the highest (point), chief executive.

“It’s something amazing.”

If you think apathy is still rampant among college students, Nwachukwu dispels that myth.

“I put in a lot of hours volunteering with his campaign,” he said. “And it felt like it was all of our victory, not just the candidate. That’s what made it sweet.”

Prepare for Air-izona

The Arizona Wildcats are looking at WSU’s rushing statistics – the Cougars yield 275 yards a game on the ground, 118th out of 119 among NCAA teams – and gearing up their … passing game?

“We are going to throw the ball down the field and make some plays,” senior quarterback Willie Tuitama told the Tucson Citizen this week. “I want to throw the ball. I love to throw the ball.”

The reason for Arizona to attack with Tuitama’s arm is simple: The Cougars are putting so much emphasis on stopping the run, the passing defense is undermanned.

“They play a lot of man coverage and outnumber you in the box and (try to) take away your run,” UA offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes said of WSU. “It will be a challenge for us to win some man coverages on the outside (receivers) and for Willie to do a good job of getting those guys the ball.”

With outside receivers such as Mike Thomas, who leads the Pac-10 in receptions (6.1) and receiving yards (77.9) per game, Delashaun Dean and Terrell Turner along with 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end Rob Gronkowski inside, Tuitama has hard-to-miss targets.

The senior is completing 62.9 percent of his passes and has thrown 15 touchdowns compared to four interceptions.

“He’s a four-year starter,” Wulff said of Tuitama. “Whenever you have a quarterback that is that seasoned and that veteran … they’re not going to see … probably anything they haven’t seen before.”

Talented tailbacks

If the Wildcats decide to run – and why shouldn’t they, considering WSU has given up more than 300 yards rushing six times this season? – they can attack with two talented tailbacks.

Sophomore Nic Grigsby, who is trying to become the first UA back to eclipse 1,000 yards since Clarence Farmer in 2001, gashed the Cougars for 186 yards on 30 carries last season. Freshman Keola Antolin had a 149-yard rushing game in a win over California.

“I don’t know if it really matters (who starts),” Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. “I’m pleased with both guys. I would imagine they would split time.”

The Wildcats play a spread offense, but they have run the ball more than they have thrown it (286 rushing attempts vs. 257 passing) this season.

“If anything, this year, what has helped their team is their ability to run the ball consistently,” Wulff said.

Notes

Wulff said WSU hoped to have guard B.J. Guerra and defensive end Kevin Kooyman cleared to play after suffering stingers last week. But cornerback Tyrone Justin (ankle) probably won’t play. … Last Sunday, Wulff expressed the hope it would snow Saturday, something the visitors from Tucson might not have seen for a while. There was a smattering of the white stuff in the Pullman area Thursday. “Snowflakes on Thursday isn’t Saturday, though,” Wulff said. “We’ve got to find a way to carry this over.” The forecast is for rain showers and a high of 51 degrees.