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Depth, defense distinguishes this WSU football team from others In November, when bowl bids are won and lost, there are two things that usually win college football games. No. 1 is defense. No. 1A is a strong running game. Suddenly, the Washington State Cougars have both to go along with the celebrated passing attack spearheaded by quarterback Jason Gesser. Even the potent WSU offense is beginning to believe in the Cougars defense, giving them much of the credit for the team's success this season. Troy Bienemann, the true freshman tight end, got the first touchdown of his collegiate career Saturday against Arizona State. While he marveled at the way Gesser has the ability to find the open receiver, he said there's another reason for all the success that has elevated the Cougars to No. 5 in the country. "The best defense we've played against this year is the one we face in practice every day," Bienemann said. "Day in and day out - the defensive ends, the defensive tackles, the linebackers we have on this team are the best we face. That can only make you better." Fred Shavies, one of the many unsung heroes on the staunch defensive line, said the WSU defenders are a unique blend of experience and youth. "A lot of people didn't think we'd be able to come through when we were faced with some adversity," Shavies said. "Maybe before we wouldn't have. We have experience, but on the other hand, we're young. That's a credit to our coaches and to our recruiting." Besides Shavies, the only other senior starters on the WSU defense are cornerback Marcus Trufant and strong safety Virgil Williams. Karl Paymah, who replaced injured defensive back Jason David, knew he was ready to play against ASU. "I knew their offense was going to come after me," Paymah said. "I knew I was ready. My job was to stop big plays and I feel like I accomplished that." Paymah said his teammates wouldn't let him get nervous. "These are the kind of guys you want to go to battle with," Paymah said. "We've got a lot of players on this team who can't wait for their turn to step up. This week it was my turn." WSU coach Mike Price wasn't surprised by the way Paymah played. "I'm thrilled to death with Karl," Price said. "I always have been. He was close to starting before. We knew he could do it." The other player pressed into a starting role with both Ira Davis and David out was redshirt freshman Will Derting, who also moved up when Al Genatone dressed but did not play with the flu and a high ankle sprain. "This shows how deep we are," Derting said. "We have a lot of good players on this team. When one person goes down, there is always somebody to step up." That depth, more than anything else, is what distinguishes this WSU team from other good ones in the past. The running game hasn't been spectacular, but it's gotten hotter as the temperatures have dropped. Jermaine Green has matured into a home run threat, averaging 4.9 yards a carry with seven touchdowns, and John Tippins gained 73 yards against ASU. Of course the only thing that's been clinched so far is a bowl game somewhere with big games remaining against Oregon, Washington and UCLA. This has already been a season of big games for WSU. It won in Seattle, won in overtime over a very good Southern Cal team and now has beaten ASU, which was its chief rival for a Pac-10 title. "We," Price said, "are becoming used to playing well in big games." That's good because it's still only November. A lot of big games loom ahead. | ||||||||||
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