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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Tuel’s initial test a tough one

Freshman QB’s first start comes at rowdy Autzen

EUGENE, Ore. – Only about four months after he graduated from Clovis West High in California, Jeff Tuel is about to enter graduate school.

Forget matriculating as a freshman redshirt. That’s over.

Washington State freshman quarterback Tuel will make his starting debut tonight at the West Coast football equivalent of Harvard Law, Autzen Stadium.

There, some 54,000 Oregon fans, not to mention the 16th-ranked and 3-1 Ducks, will try to ensure Tuel flunks his first major test.

“He’s been on that learning curve,” WSU offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy said this week. “He’s progressing, he’s heading in the right direction. He’s getting better each and every week.”

Yeah, but is he ready for Autzen Stadium? Maybe. But in the long view, it doesn’t really matter.

“This is going to be a big test for him,” head coach Paul Wulff said. “It’s probably experience that’s invaluable. It’s only (going to) enable his growth to go forward, which is really a good thing. “

Tuel was named the starting quarterback earlier this week.

In his first appearance, Tuel seemed poised and prepared in his relief role against the then 12th-ranked USC Trojans last Saturday. In a little more than 21/2 quarters, Tuel was 14 of 22 for 130 yards and led WSU to its only touchdown, albeit in the game’s final minute.

But what he showed at the L.A. Coliseum convinced Wulff and Sturdy it was his time to start.

The Cougars (1-3, 0-2 Pac-10) in front of Tuel are probably even more of a question mark.

Because of injuries to the two starting guards, a starting tackle and the main inside reserve, WSU will start two freshmen on the left side – redshirt Tyson Pencer at tackle and true freshman Alex Reitnouer at guard – along with junior Joe Eppele, usually a tackle, at right guard.

But Sturdy doesn’t think even an inexperienced offensive line will cause Tuel to revert to the usual freshman deer-in-the-headlights look.

“He’s got a presence about him where he’s pretty calm,” Sturdy said.