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Richland's Bohannon enjoys special role with Cougars LOS ANGELES - Jeremy Bohannon has already blocked one punt in his college football career. It came in 2001 when he was a freshman playing in his first Apple Cup. Don't tell Oklahoma, but the sophomore from Richland thinks he might have a shot to get another one when Washington State meets Oklahoma in the 89th Rose Bowl on Wednesday. "I've been watching a lot of film of their punt team and their linemen are kind of flat-footed," Bohannon said. "I've been doing a pretty good job of getting around the linemen lately and have come within a fraction of a yard a couple of times of getting another one in the last few games." Bohannon has been an impact player for the Cougars this season, even though he hasn't had a single start. He plays in the defensive secondary in all the obvious passing situations, in what the Cougars call their dime package, but where he really has made his mark is on special teams. Flamboyant, fast and just reckless enough to command attention, Bohannon is a natural for the collisions that routinely happen on special teams. Watch almost any WSU punt or kickoff return and Bohannon's No. 26 is usually visible making a big hit, laying a key block or simply waving his arms to sure the crowd is into the game. Bohannon said it's on those special teams where you can find the real football players, the kind who love to play the game and live to make the big hit. "It's just smashmouth on special teams and it shows how a true football player feels about the game," Bohannon said. "A guy who does well on special teams is the kind of player who goes out there and plays hard even when most people aren't watching. You don't get much publicity playing on special teams, but I just love to do it." Despite a persistent ankle injury, Bohannon has played in all 12 WSU games this season and has at least one tackle in 11 of them. The challenge of playing against Oklahoma is that the Sooners present such a stark contrast to any of the other teams WSU has played this season. "They run the ball and they pass the ball out of the shotgun," Bohannon said. "That's their base offense. It's different from anything in the Pac-10. They have a really good offensive line, a great running back (Quinton Griffin) and they can throw the ball, too." No matter what happens on Wednesday, you can bet Bohannon will enjoy every second of his opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl. "Having the opportunity to play Pac-10 football is probably the best thing in the world," Bohannon said. "It's a lot of fun. I enjoy it. It's just a great feeling to be here." Bohannon said he's enjoyed every minute of his trip to the Rose Bowl so far - the trip to Disneyland, helping the Cougars win the Beef Bowl by consuming a team total of 585 pounds of prime rib, the planned excursion to watch a taping of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. "We're staying in Beverly Hills," Bohannon said. "It can't get much better than that. I've been watching the Rose Bowl on television ever since I can remember. This really is the granddaddy of them all and it's just a great feeling to be here, to be a part of it all." | ||||||||||
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