Five Questions: WSU vs. Idaho

What’s the one thing they can count on this season?

The Cougars: A year ago this might have been the biggest question mark on the team, but among Jason Hill, Michael Bumpus and Troy Bienemann the Cougars can bank on having reliable pass catchers on the field.

Hill was the breakout star for the Cougars in 2004, reeling in 45 passes for 1,007 yards and 12 touchdowns. Bumpus didn’t emerge until the latter half of his true freshman season, but the agile slot receiver should catch a lot of underneath passes and – the Cougars hope – turn some of them into big plays. At tight end, Bienemann is sure-handed and an excellent option in the red zone, probably underutilized by Washington State in the past.

The Vandals: There are no sure things with a rebuilding team coming off a 3-9 season, but Idaho has to feel giddy about its running game. It was a bright spot last year as true freshmen Jayson Bird and Rolly Lumbala helped Idaho average 126.5 rushing yards per game. That ranked only 78th nationally, but most of the key personnel returns. Bird, at 226 pounds, and Lumbala, at 241, are big backs, but they’re capable of breaking long runs. Bird ripped off a 71-yard touchdown run against Boise State and Lumbala rambled 34 yards for a score against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Up front, Hank Therien, Nate VanderPol and Jade Tadvick have extensive starting experience dating back to the 2003 season. Desmond Clark was a part-time starter last year, though he’s been slowed by recurring migraines. Redshirt freshman Adam Korby takes over at center.

What are the key injuries?

The Cougars: As head coach Bill Doba has emphasized on multiple occasions this fall, the Cougars are actually in pretty good shape. Losing 6-foot-8 defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua late last week to a broken right fibula was a big loss in both physical and football terms.

Pitoitua will miss at least the first half of the season, and the Cougars don’t have a lot of experienced players to replace him.

Strong safety Husain Abdullah should play sparingly Thursday, but won’t start as he eases his way back from a high ankle sprain. Second-string tailback Kevin McCall has the same injury and is out for at least this game. No. 2 tight end Cody Boyd (ankle) hasn’t practiced since the first day of camp and could miss a few weeks. Fullback Jed Collins (fractured thumb) and defensive end Adam West (ankle) should both play in the opener.

The Vandals: The big one was the loss of tight end Luke Smith-Anderson, who will probably miss the season after having his ruptured spleen removed two weeks ago. The 6-5, 270-pound Smith-Anderson was a team leader, a big target in the red zone and a stout blocker in the running game. Junior Keith Greer, who has three career receptions, and redshirt freshman Rick Harrison will be the main options at tight end.

Otherwise, Idaho’s injury list isn’t too bad. Cornerback Jason Martin (ankle), offensive tackle Nate VanderPol (elbow) and guard Desmond Clark (migraines) practiced Monday and are expected to play Thursday. Running back Jayson Bird (knee) has missed some practice time, but he’ll play against the Cougars.

How are they going to stop the pass?

The Cougars: For the second year in a row, the WSU secondary has three new starters. Perhaps the best pass defense this fall will be a pass rush, which will come from defensive ends Mkristo Bruce and Adam Braidwood, as well as linebackers Will Derting, Scott Davis and Steve Dildine.

At cornerback, Alex Teems is the lone returning starter. Omowale Dada gets the start across from him, but his cover skills have been questioned. Two new faces step in at safety, with DeWayne Patterson starting in place of the recuperating Abdullah and Eric Frampton moving into the free safety slot. WSU counts on all four of its defensive backs to play man-to-man coverages at times, so even with a better pass rush they’ll need to improve this fall.

“We’re cleaning up all the mistakes and I think we’re ready to show everybody, to prove all the doubters wrong, that we are a good secondary,” Teems said. “We can be consistent. We will make plays.”

The Vandals: Good question. Idaho, which didn’t exactly stop the run or pass last season, has three new starters in the secondary – safety Tone Taupule, cornerback Jason Martin and either Reggie Jones or Herb Cash at the opposite corner. Taupule (Oregon State) and Martin (Arizona) had short stints at Pac-10 schools, so talent shouldn’t be an issue. Jones was in the hunt for considerable playing time last year until he was sidelined by an ankle injury. Returning safety Dan Dykes is a steady playmaker.

“The kids have more confidence in the system, they don’t panic and do their own things,” Idaho coach Nick Holt said. “Some of them had never been in a system because every year it was something different. I think they feel more comfortable.”

The best friend of the secondary, of course, is an effective pass rush and some of Idaho’s coverage problems are the result of opposing quarterbacks having plenty of time to throw. Idaho improved its total sacks from 18 in 2003 to 27 last year, but might be hard-pressed to make a similar jump with several inexperienced ends.

Will I get queasy when it’s time for a big kick?

The Cougars: Until proven otherwise, most likely. Head coach Bill Doba announced the place-kicking job would be Loren Langley’s on Tuesday, saying he was unequivocally WSU’s man. Then, asked if Graham Siderius might get some of the longer field-goal attempts, Doba backed off slightly, saying he’d see how they look in pre-game warm-ups.

Langley was 5 of 11 last year as a freshman, but has added a lot of distance to his kicks this fall – though accuracy seemed to be just as great a problem last year. Siderius, who made one of his three field goals in 2004, has become more accurate at the price of losing some distance.

Langley should get the first crack at it, but if he falters Doba could give him a quick hook.

The Vandals: It’s possible. Mike Barrow has been inconsistent the last two seasons, making 4 of 12 field goals in 2004 and 5 of 8 in 2003. However, the junior seems to be thriving since he was relieved of his punting duties. Barrow had a strong fall camp and displayed accuracy and range in Idaho’s final scrimmage.

“He’s just so much more consistent,” Holt said. The Vandals will break in new long-snapper Joel Jones, who replaces the dependable Brian Yarno.

Barrow, who averaged 38.5 yards per punt last year, handed off those chores to T.J. Conley. Conley, a reserve quarterback from DeSales High in Walla Walla, punted in high school and showed a strong leg in last week’s scrimmage.

Any newcomers that will play right away?

The Cougars: More than you might think. WSU came into this season touting its experience and veteran leaders, but guess what? As many as 15 new faces could play this year, with 13 certain to do so.

Three of them – cornerback/kick returner Lorenzo Bursey, safety DeWayne Patterson and defensive end Lance Broadus – are junior college transfers. But the rest are true freshmen.

Fevaea’i Ahmu will start at defensive tackle in place of Pitoitua, and seven others – linebackers Greg Trent, Cory Evans and Jason Stripling; running back DeMaundray Woolridge; wide receiver Brandon Gibson; safety Michael Willis; and center Kenny Alfred – are listed as primary backups this week.

Safety Courtney Williams and wide receiver Benny Ward will play as well. Both running back Dwight Tardy and cornerback Shelton Danzy are on the bubble, perhaps as special teams players.

The Vandals: Oh yes. The Vandals hit the JC ranks pretty hard and those players aren’t brought in to be spectators. Look for Daniel Smith to be a starting receiver and Matt Askew to see lots of playing time. Ryan Davis is in the five-player defensive tackle rotation and Charles Campbell is a starter at end. Jason Martin will start at cornerback and Tone Taupule at safety. DeAngelo Ramsey will see time at corner and returning kicks.

Several true freshmen figure should play, including Lewis and Clark High’s Josh Shaw, who is listed as a backup defensive end. Others are Wes Williams (cornerback, kick returns), Jason Brown (safety, special teams) and Eddie Williams (tight end, special teams). Punter Conley and receiver Tracy Ford grayshirted last year.