Cougs feeling confident

PULLMAN – A week ago, wide receiver Jason Hill was one of a number of Cougars who talked openly of running the table on the last four games of the regular season.

It seemed unlikely at the time, but after a second straight convincing Pac-10 win, this one by more than three touchdowns at UCLA, suddenly Hill’s words last week don’t seem so ridiculous anymore.

“I wasn’t playing when I said that,” Hill said Monday. “I was serious. I think we came out and we showed guys that didn’t believe that that it’s possible. It’s not done yet, but it’s possible.”

Hill’s brand of optimism is running rampant in Pullman, and for the most part with good reason.

Washington State has made available pre-orders for bowl tickets (available online only at wsucougars.com) and it is more than a two-touchdown favorite this week at home against a struggling Arizona team. An extended forecast predicted weather in the 40s with rain is sure to make the desert-based visitors all the more uncomfortable, too.

“Guys are excited,” Hill said of his team picking up the all-important sixth win at UCLA. “I think this has motivated us more, because now we know we can win in any kind of environment, in any place against any team. No matter what anyone says I definitely think guys are taking this to heart.”

All is not perfect for WSU, as the injury situation continues to be a concern, even for Hill.

The wide receiver has played the last three games with a shoulder sprain that he says is still painful, but at least his injury hasn’t kept him off the field.

The same may not be true for running back Derrell Hutsona (ankle sprain) and kicker Loren Langley (quadriceps), whose injuries from the UCLA game have their status for this weekend up in the air.

Punter Darryl Blunt, whose quickening heartbeat sent him to the hospital prior to the UCLA game, will undergo further tests this week. He could be cleared to practice soon, but since the tests are not yet complete his official status for the weekend remains in doubt.

Defensive end Mkristo Bruce, a team captain and the star of the defense thus far, probably won’t practice all week because of his battered knee, but he is expected to play against the Wildcats.

“It’s good and bad,” Hill said of the injury situation, which has been an ongoing story all year for the Cougars. “It’s good in a way to where guys have to step up and make plays and it’s bad to where hopefully it doesn’t catch up with us.

“It’s been working thus far.”

The senior wideout had himself a breakout game of sorts against the Bruins, catching his 32nd career touchdown pass and going for 115 yards against an exasperated UCLA secondary.

Hill, who has already been invited to the Senior Bowl, said he’s interviewing agents already in anticipation of the NFL Draft and is down to a list of 10. The wideout said he’d like to have the situation settled before the Cougars play in their bowl game, although he can’t officially hire anyone until after his final collegiate game.

For now, Hill’s main focus is on winning games – preferably a trio of them before Thanksgiving.

“Washington State takes precedence now,” Hill said. “I’m focused on winning these next three games.”