2009 Washington State Cougars Football Preview
2009 Washington State Cougars season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Washington State Cougars football preview as well as the 2009 Washington State Cougars Football Schedule. Haven't had much luck beating your bookie? This season up your chances and order Maddux's winning college football picks.
Coach: Paul Wulff (2nd year at Washington State)
Team Name: Cougars
2008 Overall Record: 2-11
Returning Starters: 15
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Washington State Cougars (2- 11 overall, 1- 8 Pac-10) were a top 25 nationally ranked team. The last time the team made a post-season appearance the Cougars were ranked 15th. They played the fifth rated Texas Longhorns in the Holiday Bowl, beating them 28- 20. Last season, WSU finished ninth in the Pac-10 and for the fifth straight year did not make a bowl appearance.
The WSU offense, which was ranked 118th nationally, put just 12.7 PPG on the scoreboard. If sophomore QB Marshall Lobbestael (103 ATT, 53 COMP, 571 YDs, 4 INTs, 4 TDs) can come back from last season’s knee injury, this team will have a chance to generate a lot more points. Junior wide receiver Joshua Anderson (33 REC, 305 YDs, 2 TDs) is an able target. The running attack looks to be potent with senior Dwight Tardy (133 ATT, 481 YDs, 3 TDs) and Logwone Mitz (90 ATT, 441 YDs, 3 TDs) anchoring the unit. Transfer and former Parade All-American James Montgomery, who sat out last season, could be a massive impact player. Senior center Kenny Alfred is featured on the O-line. He’s a potential All-Pac-10 player. The offense certainly has potential. If the quarterback spot is manned by Lobbestael, this team will definitely score more points than they did last season.
It’s tough for a team to win when the defense, like the offense, is ranked 118th nationally. The Cougars gave up an average of 43.9 PPG and 247.6 YPG (119th nationally). This season the defense should be better. The frontline includes senior Kevin Kooyman (31 TKLs, 1 SK, 3 TFL) and junior college transfer Bernard Wolfgramm. They must develop an effective pass rush for the “D” to be effective. The linebacking unit is led by high motor player Louis Bland (55 TKLs, 2 SKs, 7 TFL, 1 INT), a sophomore with a lot of experience. Senior OLB Andy Mattingly (44 TKLs, 1 SK, 3 TFL, 1 INT) is a quality starter. Strong safety Xavier Hicks (76 TKLs, 2 INTs), a senior, and free safety Chima Nwachukwu (57 TKLs, 1 INT), a junior, bring talent, skill and experience to the secondary. The starting corners both saw action last season.
The punting duties will be the purview of junior Reid Forrest (77 Punts, 3,174 YDs, 41.2 YPP, 15 In20), who offers power, consistency and accuracy. Junior Nico Grasu (13- 14 XP, 9- 13 FG) hit three clutch field goals versus Washington last season and is back.
Head coach Paul Wulff (2- 11 in one year with WSU) is trying to turn the program around but that will take a half-decade. Last season, they lost by an average of 40.6 PPG. It doesn’t help that for a third year running the Cougars are last in recruiting. Plus, they face a tough schedule that includes Hawaii, SMU and Notre Dame. WSU may not win a game this season. Their best chance will be on September 12 versus Hawaii. The home opener against Stanford will say a lot about this team. The Cougars will finish last and be out of the bowl picture once again.
Washington State Cougars Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Washington St. | Stanford | home | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Washington St. | Hawaii | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Washington St. | SMU | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Washington St. | USC | away | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Washington St. | Oregon | away | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Washington St. | Arizona St. | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Washington St. | California | away | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Washington St. | Notre Dame | neutral | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Washington St. | Arizona | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Washington St. | UCLA | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Washington St. | Oregon St. | home | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | Washington St. | Washington | away |
For more info on the 2009 Washington State Cougars football program, view the Cougars football site or you can read about other Pac-10 teams below.
