Cougars hope for health

PULLMAN – How much does the Apple Cup mean?

If you ask Washington State coach Paul Wulff, you’re probably asking the wrong guy. He’s not an impartial observer.

After all, at his introductory news conference last December, he declared his loathing of all things purple. And he’s a guy who played in the 1989 Apple Cup some three weeks after having his appendix removed.

Then tried to make a tackle after the Cougars’ first pass was intercepted.

But even Wulff isn’t expecting a laying-on-of-hands revival for many of the Cougars’ injured this week, though he’s hoping.

“In terms of other guys right now definitely being healthy, in miracle health, we don’t have that, yet,” Wulff said during his weekly teleconference Sunday. “But maybe we will by Tuesday.”

On top of Wulff’s list heading into the annual showdown with Washington (0-10, 0-7 in the Pac-10) is the health of starting quarterback Kevin Lopina.

The junior left Saturday’s 31-0 loss to Arizona State with a couple minutes left in the first half after suffering a mild concussion on a sack. He hasn’t been cleared to practice, but Wulff hopes he’ll be ready by Tuesday.

“He’s responded pretty well to this point,” Wulff said.

Without him the Cougars (1-10, 0-8) would go with freshman J.T. Levenseller, who not only struggled in relief Saturday, he also suffered a hand injury that necessitated X-rays.

“J.T.’s OK,” Wulff said. “X-rays were negative. Sore hand, but he’s OK.”

The same can’t be said of junior running back/kick returner Chantz Staden. He had an MRI on his injured knee Sunday and, though the results weren’t back, Wulff doesn’t expect him to return this season.

And that will hurt.

“He’s a very valuable guy for our football team,” Wulff said. “It’s a very big impact for us.”

With Staden out, freshman Kevin Norrell will step into the main kick and punt returner role, with standout receiver Brandon Gibson serving as backup.

“Someone will have to step up,” Wulff said.

The defense stepped up against Arizona State and limited the Sun Devils to 10 first-half points and two more touchdowns after halftime – the final ASU points were scored on a fumble return.

“Last week (the offense) had a good game and we were off,” senior defensive lineman A’i Ahmu said Saturday. “This week we had a good game and they were off.”

And in the Apple Cup, the climax of every Cougar year?

“Hopefully … we can all come together and it will be a good game,” Ahmu said.

Wulff is looking for that as well.

“It could really wash away a lot of bitter taste in our mouths,” he said. “It would clearly help, there’s no question about that.”

Notes

Despite having yet to win a game, Washington has been installed as a 7.5-point favorite for Saturday. … Besides the injured mentioned above, Wulff thinks the Cougars will have cornerback Tyrone Justin and running back Logwone Mitz available. Others who suffered nicks against ASU, such as Romeo Pellum (leg cramps) and Louis Bland (leg), are expected to play as well. The status of safety Alfonso Jackson, running back Chris Ivory and defensive end Andy Mattingly is still to be determined. … The Cougars took Sunday off from practice, hoping to heal a little. They’ll get back on the practice field Tuesday. … Wulff said he isn’t planning any special pre-Apple Cup speech. Even if he was a guy who planned his team talks – he isn’t – Wulff said he doesn’t expect to have to motivate anyone this week. “It’s still a rivalry game and it’s something you always remember,” Wulff said, not shying away from the fact the teams have combined for one win. “It’s still going to be a great game and a great atmosphere. I think our kids will be excited to play it.” … After Wade Penner couldn’t connect on his lone field goal attempt against ASU, Wulff said the kicking lineup for Saturday isn’t set.