Education continues for QB
Lobbestael gets first road start
PASADENA, Calif. – The road can be a harsh teacher, especially for an inexperienced quarterback.
That’s the correct description for Washington State’s Marshall Lobbestael.
The redshirt freshman will make his first start – heck, his first appearance – outside of Martin Stadium tonight when the Cougars face UCLA in the Rose Bowl.
But it’s not the stadium that concerns Lobbestael, who was 22 of 41 for 192 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in his first start last week against Oregon.
No, his concerns center around UCLA’s defense, especially defensive tackles Brigham Harwell and Brian Price.
“I’ve never been there,” Lobbestael said of the storied venue. “I’m sure it’s big and everything, but really, once you get on the field, after warm-ups you don’t notice the crowd at all.
“They put pressure, definitely, through the middle. They’ve got a couple of big d-tackles. … But we’re adjusting and we’re getting ready for not only the middle, but if they throw other stuff at us, which I’m sure they will, we’ll be ready for it.”
Coach Paul Wulff thinks Lobbestael, who was third on the depth chart just two weeks ago, has settled in and is growing into the position for the Cougars (1-4 overall, 0-2 in the Pac-10).
“We’ll have a better idea (tonight), but it seems like (there’s a) comfort level,” Wulff said. “Like anybody doing something more and more, you sense a little more (of a) comfort level with them.
“How much growth that is, that’s hard to tell, obviously. But he’s going to need some help. He needs some help from the offensive line, obviously, blocking, run and pass. And then he’s going to need his receivers to execute what they’ve been taught all week and catch the ball.”
With all that in place, Wulff said, “I think Marshall’s going to play well.
“If he can get that kind of support, you’re going to see Marshall make some very good plays.”
Many have against UCLA.
The Bruins (1-3, 0-1) have struggled on defense, giving up 415.8 yards per game, only about 20 yards less than WSU’s maligned unit.
They also have been burned through the air – 246 yards per game, 12 touchdowns – and on third down – opponents have converted 48.4 percent for first downs.