Steve Bergum

Ex-UI coach Keith Gilbertson may be ex-Cal soon. File/ Associated Press

Washington State linebacker James Darling apologized publicly to his family, friends and teammates Tuesday, saying he was hurt and embarrassed by a recent drunk-driving incident that caused him to miss Saturday's 24-14 loss to Arizona. Darling, the Cougars' leading tackler and defensive signal-caller, was suspended from all football-related activities for one week last Monday after rolling his Jeep and being charged with driving under the influence.

Personnel changes on Washington State's slumping football team will be discussed this week, Cougar coach Mike Price admitted Sunday. But quarterback Chad Davis, who was booed heartily late in Saturday night's 24-14 Dads' Day loss to Arizona, will not be among the topics of conversation. Price was adamant about that fact during his weekly teleconference with members of the media, claiming there is no anti-Davis sentiment building among his players or anyone else involved with his program.

WSU quarterback Chad Davis will have to labor against Wildcat strikes again. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

After 27 consecutive starts, Dan White was asked to step aside last weekend and let little-used sophomore Brady Batten see if he could smooth the sputter in Arizona's offense. The demotion offered an ideal opportunity for White, a fifth-year senior quarterback, to create a scene. He could have strapped on a big-time pout. He could have gone public with cries of indignation and bad-mouthed coach Dick Tomey for his decision. He could have become an immensely divisive factor on a team already riddled with doubt over a disappointing 3-4 start.

Washington State middle linebacker James Darling has been suspended for Saturday's Pacific-10 Conference football game against Arizona after being charged with driving under the influence in the wake of a one-car rollover accident early Monday morning. Darling, the Cougars' leading tackler, was returning from a hockey game in Spokane when he rolled his vehicle just outside of Pullman, WSU coach Mike Price said Monday afternoon. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound junior from Kettle Falls was treated for minor injuries at the scene but was not hospitalized, according to Pullman police.

Quarterback Chad Davis can't escape the pressure of two Oregon defenders during the Cougars' 26-7 loss on Saturday. Photo by Associated Press

Mike Bellotti isn't afraid to look behind him. If something's gaining, so be it - even if it happens to be an ugly memory from the past.

Mike Bellotti has stepped right in for Rich Brooks. Photo by George Millener/Eugene Register-Guard

1. Nansen 2. Johnny Nansen (middle) helps tackle UCLA star Karim Abdul-Jabbar. Photo by Associated Press

USC's line kept WSU at bay in the Trojans victory. Photo by Associated Press

Mike Price can't explain the feeling. It defies all logic, he knows. But he likes the chances of his 14-point underdog Washington State Cougars in today's 12:30 p.m. Pacific-10 Conference football matchup against fifth-ranked and unbeaten Southern California.

Stewart

The Spokane Arena will be the site of two Washington State men's basketball games this winter, including one against defending national champion UCLA. Athletic director Rick Dickson announced Tuesday that the Cougars will face Gonzaga University Friday, Nov. 24, in the first collegiate basketball game played in the new facility and then play host to the Bruins on Thursday, Jan. 4, in a game that could go a long way toward deciding the Pacific-10 Conference title.

1. Frank Madu leaves an Oregon State defender grabbing air as he breezes to a 51-yard touchdown. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 2. Shawn Tims wins a race to the end zone in scoring third-quarter touchdown. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

Oregon State will bring a new-look option attack and a remarkably resilient attitude into Martin Stadium this afternoon, hoping to rain an upset on Washington State's homecoming parade. Kickoff for the Pacific-10 Conference football matchup is 2:05 and a crowd of more than 30,000 is expected.

The numbers put up by quarterback Tim Alexander has OSU fans smiling. Photo by Associated Press

Twenty-four hours, an overnight stay at his cabin on Coeur d'Alene Lake and a relaxing morning boat ride did nothing to change Washington State coach Mike Price's opinion about the way his team played in Saturday's bruising 35-21 loss to No. 2-ranked Nebraska. "I was proud of our football team and football players for their effort," Price said Sunday afternoon, just before he started breaking down video of Oregon State, next Saturday's homecoming opponent. The Cougars, after stunning the defending national champions with an early 87-yard touchdown run by Frank Madu, were on the verge of getting blown out late in the third quarter when a 3-yard scoring run by freshman I-back Ahman Green and a two-point conversion pass put Nebraska up 28-7.

1. Mead grad bulked up for college. Photo by J. Bart Rayniak/The Spokesman-Review 2. "(George) Yarno really came to bat for me." Cory Solomon WSU offensive lineman

Osborne

WSU's Brian Walker won't let Karim Abdul-Jabbar cut loose. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

1. Washington State 24, UCLA 15. Jay Dumas gets Cougars off and running with a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown, leaving UCLA kicker Chris Sailer eating turf. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review 2. Kicker Tony Truant, left, and holder Jay Dumas celebrate a field goal. Photo by J. Bart Rayniak/The Spokesman-Review

Everyone involved agrees. It's time for Washington State's offense to step up and perform like the confident, improved unit it has proclaimed to be all fall. The Cougars took steps in that direction two weeks ago, rolling up 504 yards and 26 first downs in a 38-21 win over Division I-AA Montana.

Terry Donahue has his UCLA defense following Washington State's lead. File/Associated Press