Going gets tough

Jason Hill entered the season declaring that this was his year to become a superstar.

Already stamped into the history books as one of the best wideouts to come through Pullman, Hill’s senior season might become a victory lap of sorts, while he claims most every significant receiving record available at WSU.

But a funny thing has happened after two games: very little.

Hill scored a touchdown in the opener against Auburn, but it was on a short throw from the 2, not a long bomb. Other than that, he was almost absent from the play-by-play sheet. Against Idaho the senior had just two catches, far less than his norm.

“As long as we win, it’s all right,” Hill said this week of the relatively slow start to his season. “Those other two guys are talented. As long as Alex (Brink) is on the same page with us three, teams are kind of going to have to pick their poison.”

It would appear that Hill’s star power coming into the fall has contributed largely to his number of catches. Teams are rolling safeties towards Hill’s sideline on almost every play.

Two years ago, opponents didn’t know about No. 83. Last year, they were too concerned about Jerome Harrison’s running out of the backfield to overplay Hill.

Now, he’s getting the attention of, well, a superstar.

“It is kind of a gift and a curse,” Hill said of all the attention. “I kind of like that because it gives me a chance to see what the other receivers can do.”

Those other receivers – primarily Chris Jordan and Michael Bumpus – appear to be responding. Both have seen many passes coming their way, and both have seen plenty of single coverage. In a sense, Brink said Tuesday, Hill is contributing as much as he has to the offense, even without catching a pass.

“With the number of receivers we have, he may have less catches but he won’t have less of an impact,” Brink said. “It’s going to open up other guys’ opportunities, and at some point he’s going to get a big one.”

That was exactly the case on one of Hill’s two catches against Idaho. The Vandals brought a cornerback blitz from Hill’s side, and a quick throw turned into a 71-yard gain when the wideout shook free from the defense after the catch.

In that same vein, Hill said he has no intention to start freelancing in an effort to get his hands on the football. All he wants are wins, an occasional thank you from his teammates for gobbling up defenders, and – if it’s not too much – a toss from his quarterback every now and then.

“I’m not going to try to do extra, because that might cover another receiver or throw off the timing with Alex,” Hill said. “I’m not going to adjust my routes to try to get myself open.

“I’ll never tell him not to throw me the ball, that’s for sure.”

Notes

Head coach Bill Doba said a number of Cougars should make a return to the playing field against Baylor this week. DeMaundray Woolridge’s thigh isn’t expected to be a problem, which means the starting running back will be back in the lineup after sitting out against Idaho. Safety Michael Willis will probably be able to return as well after a shoulder injury held him out of the Cougars’ second game. And cornerback Courtney Williams will return with a cast on his hand. … Starting cornerback Don Turner (hip) will be attempting to do work in practice this week, with an eye on returning this weekend. But his health is clearly not at 100 percent, the coach said. … Cornerback Markus Dawes (ankle) and running back Christopher Ivory (ankle) both will not play, barring a significant change in the coming days.