Quartet that persevered

PULLMAN – When the Washington State Cougars emerge from the Martin Stadium tunnel prior to today’s game against Oregon State, four unique seniors will run onto the turf.

Four players suiting up for one final game together in Pullman.

Two defenders, two on offense. Four seniors out of the 15 WSU will honor in pregame ceremonies.

Sure, there are others in the group who have been at WSU for the same amount of time, dealing with the same coaching change, the same tough defeats, the same moments of triumph that have dotted their college journey.

But this gang of four is different.

The four have been on the field for most of the plays over that span, supporting each other, supporting the Cougars’ effort, win or – as has been the case nearly every game the past two years, including a 1-9 mark this season – lose.

Kenny Alfred, making his 43rd start on the offensive line. Linebacker Andy Mattingly, who never took a redshirt year. Dwight Tardy, the victim of a major knee injury that robbed him of games and yards. Safety Xavier Hicks, who saw his career almost slip away because of off-field problems.

They’ve lived through the ups and downs of four college football seasons. Each has come through with a different perception.

■There’s Alfred, the philosopher.

“It’s easy to say it’s another game and another week and another opportunity to enjoy the process to go in and work for a win,” he said this week.

“At the same time, I think it will be surreal after I realize it will be my last game at Martin. I don’t think I’ll realize that after the game. Maybe, if I’m lucky, when I get back home to Gig Harbor in a month or so.

“I like to embrace change, but at the same time it never sinks in until after the fact.”

■Tardy, the survivor.

“To finally sit back and have that feeling that you’ve finally been through it all,” the running back said of what the game today means. “Four or five years, you’ve finally made it. So many guys don’t make it. To finally have that. I made it, I’ve been through the struggle, the ups and downs.”

■Hicks, the historian.

“You look back,” he said. “You look back at all the good times you went through with your team, all the bad times you went through with your team. It’s just a great feeling, because not a lot of people get to experience college football.

“It’s just been amazing growing up with my teammates, maturating, seeing each other get better every day.”

■Mattingly, the local boy.

“I’ve been coming here, watching games since I was a little kid,” he said. “To be a part of it for four years, this whole experience has meant a lot to me.

“It went so fast. I remember my first one, Mkristo (Bruce) and Scotty Davis were here. I remember their senior day. I didn’t think anything of it. Here it is. Now I’m up.”

They’ll join other WSU stalwarts such as Tony Thompson, who will sit today with a concussion, and Kevin Lopina, today’s starting quarterback, in saying goodbye to Cougars fans.

With one thought.

“I’m just happy I can leave without any regrets,” Alfred said.