Mike Sando

1. Arizona's passing game takes a sizeable stride against Washington State, as Dennis Northcutt outlegs LeJuan Gibbons for one of the three touchdowns against the WSU cornerback. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 2. Gibbons (right): "I know I'm not a bad player." Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

Not only did Washington State receive a needed wake-up call against Arizona, but the Cougars were able to improve their record to 7-0 and maintain their No. 10 national ranking. That's the way football coach Mike Price saw Saturday's 35-34 overtime victory, anyway. "I think this game helped a lot more than had we beat Arizona 28-3 or something," Price said Sunday. "I really felt a special bonding of the players during that fourth quarter and in the locker room after the game. "I think that's a positive thing. I think we can build on that."

1. Arizona's Rodney Williams can't haul in this first-half pass under pressure from the Cougars' Dee Moronkola. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Leon Bender rides Arizona quarterback Ortege Jenkins to the ground as Gary Holmes scoops up Jenkins' fumble in the first half. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 3. Kevin McKenzie celebrates an uplifting TD. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 4. Neither Kelvin Hunter (5) nor Kelly Malveaux could deter WSU's Kevin McKenzie, who hightails it to the end zone with a Ryan Leaf pass for a first-half touchdown in Cougars' 35-34 overtime victory over Arizona. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review (This photo appeared in Regional edition only) 5. WSU's Michael Black breaks away. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review (This photo appeared in Regional edition only)

The season-opener came down to one play, with Washington State preserving a 37-34 victory by stopping UCLA on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard-line. At USC, the Cougars found themselves in a tie game with 5 minutes left. Receiver Kevin McKenzie turned a short gain into a 51-yard, game-winning touchdown. At Illinois, WSU awoke in time to score 21 consecutive points, breaking open a game that had been tied at 14 entering the fourth quarter.

Dick Tomey's defense is at a loss in '97. Photo by Arizona Daily Star

In the ongoing quest to explain Washington State's 6-0 record and No. 10 national ranking, consider this: Defensive tackle Gary Holmes is the only WSU starter to have missed a game because of injury this year. Compare that with the maladies afflicting WSU's next opponent, Arizona. When the Wildcats visit Martin Stadium for Saturday's 12:30 p.m. contest, they could be without several top players. No doubt, WSU has been fortunate in avoiding serious injuries (that sound you hear is trainer Mark Smaha knocking on wood). But there may be more to avoiding injuries than just luck, the Cougars believe.

Which Arizona team will show up? The one that underachieved in a 30-point home loss to Washington, or the one that underachieved in a seven-point road loss to Oregon? But seriously, all the signs point to a double-digit victory for WSU, although Arizona could make it closer if Dick Tomey decides to pull a Tom Holmoe. As usual, point spreads (in parenthesis) are provided for entertainment purposes only. Saturday's games Cal at UCLA (-23-1/2) To see if Cal's defensive backs are gaining, UCLA receivers install rearview mirrors on helmets. The pick: Bruins 55, Bears 24 No. 7 Washington (-24) at Oregon State TV: Fox Sports, 3:30 What was more exaggerated, Brock Huard's alleged demise or Oregon State's 3-2 start? The pick: Huskies 42, Beavers 3 Oregon at USC (-8) TV: Fox Sports, 7:15 Trojans featured in upcoming issue of Fortune .500. The pick: Trojans 24, Ducks 23 Arizona at No. 10 WSU (-13) TV: ABC, 12:30 Mike Price applauds second unit for holding Arizona to a field goal during the national anthem. The pick: Cougars 37, Wildcats 24 Last week: 3-3; Season to date: 31-17

1. Conducting himself with poise. Mike Price delivers his weekly motivational speech to the Washington State football team at a practice leading up to the Cal game. Maybe he ought to hire out: WSU won 63-37. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Price gets a friendly earful at a Cougar Club luncheon. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 3. After practice and before a radio show and several more hours of preparing for Saturday's game, Price sneaks over to the training table for a late dinner. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 4. Price shares laugh with fan on Cougar radio show. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 5. Always a good storyteller, Price regals the Pullman Cougar boosters with anecdotes from the Oregon game and his vision for the remainder of the season. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 6. Price challenges receivers coach Mike Levenseller on a play idea as the two work late into the evening on a game plan. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 7. Almost 16 hours after he started his workday in the early morning twilight, Price heads for home in the dark past deserted Martin Stadium. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 8. Defensive lineman Taeao Salausa shows off pictures of his young daughter to his coach. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Washington State didn't build a 50-point lead on California by accident, coach Mike Price emphasized Sunday. WSU maximized distinct advantages in personnel by taking advantage of several Cal tendencies, allowing the Cougars to coast to a 63-37 victory that vaulted them to their highest national ranking since 1958.

Washington State's Nian Taylor hauls in a third-quarter touchdown pass over Marquis Smith (9) and Kato Serwanga. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Washington State closed its final football practice on the eve of today's homecoming game against California, although exceptions were wisely made for two men sporting red blazers with fancy gold name tags. Representatives from the Holiday Bowl are in town this weekend to check out the nation's 13th-ranked team, perhaps to find out if the Cougars (5-0) are as exciting in person as they've been on TV.

Washington State defensive tackle Rob Meier will start in place of Gary Holmes when the 13th-ranked Cougars play California, coach Mike Price announced Thursday. Holmes, who missed several practices after his chronically sore back stiffened up during a car ride from Seattle last weekend, will see limited duty in Saturday's 2 p.m. home game.

Tight end Love Jefferson, who joined WSU after Pacific dropped its football program, scores his first touchdown as a Cougar during a 28-21 win at Southern California. His improved hands have helped WSU keep a grip on its passing game. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

With a little help from Arizona, and assuming Washington State doesn't stumble against Cal, the Cougars could emerge this weekend as the last Pac-10 team with a perfect conference record. Of course, depending on Arizona can be dangerous. In previous weeks, we've picked the Wildcats to beat Oregon and UCLA wrong and wrong again. Just when it appeared Dick Tomey's team could be written off, the Wildcats went out and handed Stanford its first Pac-10 loss. Can Arizona do the same to Washington? Why not?

Cougars defense on the prowl. Defensive linemen Shane Doyle (46) and Gary Holmes may not have recorded a lot of sacks this season, but they have kept the pressure on opposing quarterbacks like Oregon's Akili Smith. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Despite three straight losses by a combined margin of 98-54, California coach Tom Holmoe has managed to maintain at least the appearance of optimism. Some would say the Bears' first-year coach is afflicted by a severe case of denial. After his team's most recent loss, a 30-3 defeat to No. 10 Washington, Holmoe said he was encouraged by the Bears' improvement. "It was good," Holmoe said. "We came out, we played hard, the preparation couldn't have been better. We were ready to play."

This might have been the first time an entire coaching staff was offsides. It had to be the first time a defensive coordinator was seen gyrating on the sideline as the Pointer Sisters' "I'm So Excited" blared over the public-address system. And let's hope it was the only time a fourth-string cornerback ever sauntered off the field like an overcaffeinated Deion Sanders.

Lagat

Stanford dominated Notre Dame in every phase of the game, sort of the way Larry Holmes won every round from Muhammad Ali. We'll be more impressed if the Cardinal can beat Arizona for the first time since 1990. As always, point spreads (in parenthesis) are provided for entertainment purposes only. Saturday's games No. 16 Stanford (-3-1/2) at Arizona TV: 7:15, Fox Sports Net Stanford recruits invited to "Coffee With Chelsea."

1. Dropping a subtle hint. WSU quarterback Ryan Leaf's intensity has helped him succeed to a point where he is considered a legitimate Heisman candidate. Photos by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 2. (photo of Ryan Leaf)

1. Price 2. Washington State intercepts this Oregon pass, leaving LaCorey Collins and his teammates ready to duck for cover as the unbeaten Cougars went to to a 24-13 victory. Photo by Christopher Anderson/Duane Stewart, left, of Spokesman-Review

Washington State's Dee Moronkola soars in front of Oregon receiver Pat Johnson in the end zone to intercept a pass and kill a Duck drive. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Mike Price majored in physical education, but one of his favorite subjects appears to be chemistry. Team chemistry.

1. Shawn McWashington, WSU senior 2. Shawn McWashington shares the team lead with 16 receptions in four games. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review