Knee Injury Sidelines Coug Qb

Tue., Jan. 27, 1998

Washington State quarterback Steve Birnbaum, considered the favorite to succeed Ryan Leaf next season, underwent knee surgery last week and will miss spring practices, Washington State football coach Mike Price said Monday.

The injury, suffered midway through last season, was initially thought to be torn cartilage, but arthroscopic surgery revealed a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Birnbaum’s injury throws the quarterback race wide open.

Bryan Paul, a 6-foot-4 transfer from West Los Angeles College, is expected to battle sophomore Paul Mencke and redshirt freshman Sam Baurichter in the spring.

Whether Birnbaum challenges for the job depends on how quickly he can rehabilitate. The 6-4, 215-pound left-hander probably won’t return before fall camp, Price said.

“Its a real tragedy for Steve and for me,” Price said. “He just doesn’t deserve to have this happen. He’s not going to be able to get his timing down as well as I’d like to have it.”

The Cougars have received an oral commitment from Jason Gesser, a 6-3 prospect from St. Louis High in Honolulu, but he is expected to redshirt.

Gesser passed for more than 5,000 yards in his prep career, leading St. Louis to an undefeated season and No. 4 national ranking as a senior.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

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Knee Injury Sidelines Coug Qb

Jesse Tinsley

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Rob Curley

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