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Updated: August 20, 11:06 AM ET Kegel could key Cougars charge By Ted Miller Special to ESPN.com |
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Washington State Cougars
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Coach: Bill Doba (1st season) 2002 overall record: 10-3 Conference record: 7-1 Returning starters Offense: 5 Defense: 7 Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Jermaine Green* (829 yds) Passing: Jason Gesser (3,408 yds) Receiving: Jerome Riley (939 yds) Tackles: Erik Coleman* (86) Sacks: Rien Long (13) Interceptions: Jason David* (7) Outlook: A lot of folks want to write off Washington State now that coach Mike Price, quarterback Jason Gesser, defensive tackle Rien Long and cornerback Marcus Trufant are gone. That might be a mistake, but success depends on quarterback Matt Kegel avoiding mistakes and taking over as a confident leader. Kegel's transition to starter will be eased if tailback Jermaine Green, who averaged 5.5 yards per carry last year, can remain healthy. Four offensive linemen who started games last year return, topped by first-team all-Pac-10 tackle Calvin Armstrong. While two of last year's top receivers departed, Devard Darling caught 54 passes and Sammy Moore led the conference in kickoff returns. Tight end Troy Bienemann probably will see a lot more touches. The experienced defensive line will be strong and deep. Jeremey Williams and Tai Tupai will plug the middle, while Isaac Brown and D.D. Acholonu are aggressive pass rushers. The linebackers are experienced, and three-fourths of the secondary returns. Cornerback Jason David had seven interceptions, and free safety Erik Coleman led the Cougars with 86 tackles. The kicking game is secure. Both kicker Drew Dunning (22 field goals) and punter Kyle Basler (41.1 yards per boot) are back. The schedule is demanding with road games at Notre Dame, Colorado, Oregon, USC and Washington. The conference miss is rebuilding California. Key game: The Cougars conference opener at Oregon on Sept. 27 will be critical after a rugged non-conference schedule. The winner figures to find its way into the top half of the league. Keep an eye on: Quarterback Matt Kegel has done little to inspire confidence, particularly with a rotten performance last season against Washington in relief of the injured Jason Gesser. He doesn't need to make a bunch of big plays, just avoid bad ones. It's a good year if. . .: Cougars fans, who are worried the team will return to its losing ways without Price and Gesser, likely would be satisfied with six or seven wins. But if Kegel is just above average, this team should vie for a quality bowl berth. Ted Miller covers the Pac-10 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
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