Mike Sando

Clete Casper and Ricky Turner pulled it off at Washington State in 1981, codirecting the Cougars to an 8-2-1 season. Some 10 years later, Brad Otton and Kyle Wacholtz were able to do it at USC, leading the Trojans to the Rose Bowl. This season, Oscar Davenport and Chris Keldorf have also successfully split time at quarterback, leading North Carolina into the national-title picture.

Mike Bellotti

Upon careful review of the game tape, it would appear that Washington State dominated Boise State in Saturday's non-conference football game in Martin Stadium. Predictably, WSU coach Mike Price found little to fault in the Cougars' 58-0 win, even if his team wasn't rewarded by voters in either Top 25 poll.

WSU's Shawn Tims gets a shove into the end zone from Kevin Chiles. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

1. Washington State wide receiver Shawn McWashington breaks away from BSU's fallen defensive end, Derek Burrell, after hauling in a pass from Ryan Leaf. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Michael Black runs through Dampsy Dees. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 3. The rout is on as Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf outlegs Boise State's Shawn Sandoval for the game's first touchdown. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Washington State University football coaches, for all their talk about reducing penalties, will undoubtedly make an exception for clipping. Gentlemen, start your scissors. The bulletin boards await. This week's fodder comes courtesy of Boise State kicker Todd Belcastro, who has vowed to exact some rather dramatic revenge on WSU coach Mike Price for not recruiting him out of Mead High School in 1995.

Thirty-nine points. That may be only 13 field goals to a swashbuckling kicker like Todd "Bulletin Board" Belcastro, but it's a plethora of points to the rest of us - Mike Price included. Washington State's ninth-year football coach finds his 15th-ranked Cougars favored by what he considers a "ridiculous" margin. If Price thinks the spread is too generous, he'll get no argument from Belcastro, the Boise State kicker who has already forecast a glorious upset.

1. A WSU football family making it big. Chris, left, and Ray Jackson played prominent roles in WSU's 35-22 victory at Illinois. Ray made an interception, while younger brother Chris scored a touchdown. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review 2. Chris Jackson didn't play football in high school, but he has a firm hold on a starting job at WSU. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

It's no secret that USC's offensive line hasn't pushed anyone around this season. Through three games, the Trojans rank dead last in rushing among the nation's 112 major-college football teams. USC's linemen have left a lasting impression nonetheless, especially with one of Washington State's best defensive palyers. Dorian Boose continues to play through injuries sustained in the Cougars' 28-21 victory over USC two weeks ago. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound defensive end says his sprained knee and twisted ankle resulted from dirty play. "I got chopped in a knee after the whistle was blown," Boose said Wednesday. "And then Phalen Pounds (USC's left tackle) just runs and jumps on my leg. He and the other tackle (Ken Bowen), they run and just roll on my leg.

With losses this week, Arizona coach Dick Tomey and USC's John Robinson could be on their way out. . . . Stanford's home matchup against upstart Oregon also counts as a big game, especially if the Cardinal expect to be considered Rose Bowl contenders. As usual, point spreads (in parenthesis) are for entertainment purposes only. Saturday's games Arizona at UCLA (-9) TV: Fox Sports Net, 12:30 UCLA ran it up on a Texas squad that was minus star QB James Brown. Rejuvenated Bruins coach Bob Toledo subsequently promising to "stay on the scene, like a win machine." The pick: Wildcats 27, Bruins 24

WSU quarterback Ryan Leaf had high hopes for fellow quarterback Peyton Manning in his bid to end Florida's domination of Tennessee. File/The Spokesman-Review

The marketing department is billing it as "PREVIEW FOR PASADENA." Washington State football coaches and players are less ambitious, although they also hope Martin Stadium is filled to capacity for Saturday's non-conference game against Boise State.

Shawn Tims and his fellow Cougars are on the move. Photo by Associated Press

Shawn McWashington, left, and Cory Withrow celebrate touchdowns. The Spokesman-Review

1. Illinois back-up quarterback Tim Lavery found the going tough against WSU's Gary Holmes and the Cougars defense. Photo by Associated Press 2. Cougar Taeao Salausa wraps up Illinois Lenny Willis. Photo by Associated Press

Washington State football coach Mike Price says his 19th-ranked Cougars won't be overlooking winless Illinois when the teams tangle this morning. "I'm not wasting any energy worrying about our guys not being focused," Price said. "Unless Bill Cosby shows up." A little history is in order. The last time WSU was a double-digit road favorite - Sept. 7 of last year, against Temple - Cosby showed up on his alma mater's sideline. The Owls proceeded to give the Cougars a scare, although WSU held on for a 38-34 victory.

Washington State junior tight end Love Jefferson has a pulled groin muscle and is considered probable for Saturday's non-conference football game at Illinois, the Cougars said. The injury occurred Wednesday during practice. Jefferson, who caught his first career touchdown pass in the Cougars' 28-21 road victory over USC last week, was held out of practice Thursday. "If he's limited, then we're limited," WSU coach Mike Price said Thursday. "I think he'll be OK."

1. WSU receiver Kevin McKenzie's (9) elation after scoring the winning touchdown last Saturday against USC was matched only by his family's joyous eruption at home in Laurel, Miss. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Kevin McKenzie

Arizona State wins at Miami. UCLA wins at Texas. WSU is a double-digit road favorite against a Big Ten team. Washington is favored against Nebraska. Oregon State remains undefeated during its bye week. Hey, the Pac-10 might be OK this year. As usual, point spreads (in parenthesis) are for entertainment purposes only. Saturday's games Arizona at Ohio St. (-17) Dick Tomey seen browsing in Talent Gap. The pick: Buckeyes 35, Wildcats 17

Washington State receiver Chris Jackson has a kidney contusion and is questionable for Saturday's non-conference football game at Illinois, trainer Mark Smaha said Tuesday. Jackson was hit in the side and fell on the football during Saturday's 28-21 victory over USC, but the injury was not considered serious until Tuesday, when blood appeared in his urine.

John Robinson

Cougars defenders keep the Trojans at bay during the waning moments of Saturday's thrilling WSU victory. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

1. Washington State receiver Kevin McKenzie bolts between Antuan Simmons (6) and Mark Cusano on his way to the game-winning touchdown. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Lee Harrison, left, and Cory Withrow embrace the moment at the Coliseum. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 3. WSU's Shawn McWashington carries some baggage - USC's Darnell Lacey - after a long gain. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Coach Mike Price plans to change WSU's halftime routine. Photo by J. Bart Rayniak/The Spokesman-Review