Unselfish Play May Be Cougs’ Key To Big Prize

We interrupt the Peyton Manning Heisman Trophy ceremony to bring you Ryan Leaf.

As the presenter.

“You can’t put any pressure on me with the Heisman because Peyton Manning is the guy who is going to get it,” Leaf was saying after directing Washington State’s 58-0 spanking of Boise State on Saturday. “That’s just the way it’s going to be.

“Hopefully, I get to go to New York (for the presentation) at the end of the year. That’d be fun, take my family. Those are just incentives and fun things to do when that time comes. I consider it an honor that people are talking about it. Reality-wise, I’m just happy that we’re playing well.”

Obviously, that’s the diplomatic thing to say, but something tells me Leaf doesn’t truly believe it. And he shouldn’t.

The Cougars are 4-0 and ranked No. 15 in the nation. Leaf is being mentioned as a Heisman hopeful.

Those are the facts on Sept. 27. It could all unravel. It could begin to do so as early as Saturday’s road date at Oregon. Another lost November could await.

But there are signals that the Cougars are beyond just “for real,” not that much credible evidence could be gleaned from the stoning of outmatched BSU.

The ‘97 Cougars have the rare luxury of decent depth. Five swift wide receivers. Nian Taylor had five catches for 200 yards and two scores in the season-opening 37-34 win over UCLA. Saturday, he backed up Chris Jackson.

When Leon Bender was sidelined Saturday after jumping offsides and breaking coach Mike Price’s zero-tolerance policy toward penalities, capable defensive tackle Taeao Salausa is inserted. Lee Harrison stepped in as starting center before the season opener, which allowed Cory Withrow to fill a void at right guard.

“I don’t even think of him (Harrison) as depth any more because he’s done such a great job starting,” Price said.

There is a balanced offense; a capable defense. Each side of the ball can win a game. Daredevil punt returner Shawn Tims snuck through a pack of Broncos waiting to down the ball, scooped up the bouncing ball and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. Rian Lindell’s 57-yard field goal would have split the uprights from 67.

“There’s not a question in my mind we’re for real,” Jackson said. “Last year, we had a lot of selfish play on the team from the quarterback to the very last defensive back who played. The receivers fought for balls. This year, with the receivers and the offensive line, we want to do whatever is best for the team. The receivers don’t fight over who gets the balls. We’re all positive. If we continue playing like this, we’ll go a long way.”

And there is Leaf, who has dined on blitzing defenses, not only against the BSUs, but the USCs and UCLAs.

“Blitzes didn’t phase him,” Broncos coach Houston Nutt said. “He is huge and he is what the NFL guys are looking for. He is big-time.”

The Cougars seem to be handling their success - and the attention it is prompting - better than past teams. Ask Leaf if the 4-0 start has forced the team to revise goals and he shakes his head to the negative.

“The goal has always been the same. We didn’t think we were going to lose either one of those first two games (to UCLA and USC),” he said. “Everybody was thinking it’d be nice if we got a split. We’re like, ‘Oh no, we’re not getting a split, we’re winning both, we’re going to be 4-0 going into Oregon.”’

And so they are.

“I think (the attention) is deserved, that’s the best thing,” Price said. “I’m not promoting Ryan, but he’s being mentioned. He’s earned it. Our team has earned it.”

Leaf already has a publicity chairman in receiver Kevin McKenzie.

“On ESPN (Saturday morning) they were talking about the Heisman, Peyton Manning, Tavian Banks (from Iowa) and they showed Leaf toward the end. I was sitting there thinking, ‘Leaf is on a roll, I think he can get it,”’ McKenzie said.

“I asked him today, ‘Did you watch that Heisman hopeful (show)?’ He didn’t see it. I told him, ‘Just between you and me, I think you can get it. I think you’ve got a legitimate shot.’ It wasn’t like I was trying to pump him up to get some grabs (catches).”

Next stop: Oregon.

“Nobody got hurt,” Price said. “We’re sitting in just great shape.”

On Sept. 27, that is. And, perhaps, in November, too.

, DataTimes