Repaying A Standing Debt Chopper Vs. Chorak: The Rematch
For the second straight week, Washington State tackle Ryan McShane will try to keep an All-America defensive end from blasting quarterback Ryan Leaf.
McShane, nicknamed “Chopper” by teammates for his resourceful blocking techniques, used any means necessary to keep Stanford’s Kailee Wong from doing too much damage in WSU’s 38-28 victory last week.
He’ll need a repeat performance Saturday against Washington’s Jason Chorak, the reigning Pacific-10 Conference defensive player of the year.
“I’ve been really looking forward to this game,” McShane said. “I feel like it’s Rocky IV, like he’s Drago, he knocked out Apollo Creed. I’ve got to train and run him out. He’s a great player.”
Chorak had one sack, one forced fumble and one blatantly late hit on Leaf in Washington’s 31-24 overtime victory in Pullman last season.
“He’s kind of been my nemesis,” McShane said.
McShane’s first extensive playing time as a Cougar came in Husky Stadium two years ago, when he replaced injured starter John Scukanec. Chorak finished that game with three tackles for loss, including one sack, as the Huskies held on for a 33-30 victory.
Leaf, Manning make connection
Ryan Leaf didn’t want to be pitted against Tennessee’s Peyton Manning in the Heisman Trophy race, so he picked up the phone early this season and called the Vols’ football office.
The nation’s top two college quarterbacks have been talking ever since, most recently on Monday night. They try to tape each other’s games, but mostly they talk about life off the field, Leaf said.
“It’s a good relationship,” Leaf said. “I’m so glad I did it. He’s somebody who has got everything in the palm of his hands and he’s the most grounded and sincere person I know.
“That’s why I respect him so much.”
Manning surprised fans by returning for his senior season at Tennessee. Many expect Leaf, a junior, to leave WSU for the NFL draft after this season, but Leaf said he isn’t so sure.
“I’ve got three pretty good people to help make my decision with,” Leaf said. “Mike Price, who has evaluated things with Drew (Bledsoe). Drew himself, who went through the same situation on the side of going to the pros a year early. And then I have Peyton, who stayed a year.”
Sorry, guys
WSU receiver Chris Jackson, who fired several inflammatory comments about the Huskies on Sunday, apologized to teammates during Tuesday’s practice.
“He said he was thinking with his heart and not his head,” McShane said, “and he told the team that we need to be more disciplined.”
Cornerback Ray Jackson said he was shocked by his younger brother’s comments.
“I was reading the paper and I saw Chris’ name and I said, ‘Oh man, he’s going to get it from Price,”’ Ray Jackson said. “Price called him at 6:30 in the morning, made him wake up and come talk to him in the office. He was a little upset.”
An irate Price could reportedly be heard berating Jackson through his office door. From that point on, all interviews were conducted in the presence of WSU’s sports information director.
Quotable
“In past years, I’ve approached this game like, ‘We’ve got to play better than we’ve ever played before, men, or we’re not going to win this game.’ I’m not saying that this year. I think we can compete with this football team.” - Price, on playing Washington.
Price clarified his statement that the current Cougars could beat the 1931 Rose Bowl team. “I meant like today, at their age,” he said.
Leaf, Huard in the Zone
Leaf will take part in an ESPN SportsZone on-line chat forum today at 1:30 p.m. UW quarterback Brock Huard will participate at 6:30 p.m. To take part, aim your web browser to”http://modchatespn.sportszone.com/chat/chat.dll?room=szplayers13”.
The ESPN cable network, meanwhile, was in Pullman this week for an upcoming feature on WSU running back Michael Black. The feature is scheduled to run on the network’s Game Day show, which begins Saturday morning at 8.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo