Wulff says Cougars are ready to play

By Howie Stalwick | Howie Stalwick, for The Olympian • Published August 29, 2008

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SEATTLE — New Washington State football coach Paul Wulff does not deny that he would prefer facing an easier opponent in his first game. And would have preferred playing in Pullman. And would have preferred having more healthy, experienced and talented players by his side.

Alas, no one said Wulff’s dream job would be dreamy all the time. As Wulff likes to say, “It is what it is.”

On Saturday, Wulff becomes the first former Washington State player to coach a Cougars football team in more than half a century when WSU and Oklahoma State play their season opener at Qwest Field. Kickoff for the nationally televised game is 12:30 p.m. on FSN.

“It’s a little surreal,” Wulff said. “It still feels like things aren’t completely settled.

“But we’re ready for a game. It’s time.”

The Cowboys, who won bowl games to finish 7-6 in each of the past two years, are led by quarterback Zac Robinson. Last year, the speedy junior passed for 2,824 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 847 yards and nine TDs. Oklahoma State ranked seventh in the nation with 486.3 total yards per game.

“We’re not going to shut him down,” Wulff said. “We know that. We’ve got to contain him.”

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Robinson is protected by a veteran offensive line that Wulff labeled “clearly one of the best in the country.”

WSU counters with a fifth-year quarterback making his first college start behind a battered offensive line lacking in size and experience.

Gary Rogers, who held a clipboard for record-setting WSU quarterback Alex Brink the past three years, has completed 24 of 52 passes for 244 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in his career.

Wulff raves about Rogers’ powerful arm, but the coach has expressed concern about Rogers’ accuracy and touch, particularly when on the run.

“We’re very proud of his progress,” Wulff said.

“I feel really comfortable with this offense,” Rogers said.

Both teams have solid running games and quality pass catchers at wide receiver and tight end. The tight end is often a key pass target in WSU’s new no-huddle, hurry-up offense, but the Cougars may be forced to utilize their tight ends more as blockers if the offensive line struggles. Rogers will routinely take snaps out of the shot gun.