3 Names to know

TYSON ALUALU Cal defensive end

When asked about the 6-foot-3, 295-pound senior, WSU coach Paul Wulff called him a beast, which is about as good a compliment as you can give a defensive end. Alualu was a second-team All-Pac-10 selection last year when he led all Cal defensive linemen with 62 tackles, including 11 behind the line of scrimmage. He’s on a similar pace this season.

Mike Ledgerwood WSU middle linebacker

The 6-foot, 227-pound sophomore will be thrown into the breach at middle linebacker today, with usual starter Alex Hoffman-Ellis still hampered by a staph infection and key backup Louis Bland probably out. The key to stopping the Bears’ ground game is gap control. Not only will Ledgerwood be charged with getting to the right gap, he’ll have to stay there and then bring down a player of Jahvid Best’s caliber.

BEAU SWEENEY Cal quarterback

It’s not often a backup quarterback is highlighted, but this one is the grandson of one of the Cougars’ most celebrated coaches, Jim Sweeney. He also started in front of WSU’s starter in high school. Dad Kevin played quarterback for Jim at Fresno State and then settled down in the area. Beau started for Clovis West High as a junior and senior, throwing and running for more than 1,000 yards as a senior. One of his receivers that year was Jeff Tuel, who replaced him as the quarterback when Sweeney headed to Cal.