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Washington State University Official Athletic Site

The list of starters back on offense includes Heisman Trophy candidate Gesser, who last year quarterbacked the fourth best offensive performance in school history. WSU averaged 432.2 yards and amassed 5,187 total yards in 2001. Wide receivers Mike Bush and Collin Henderson also return, along with four-fifth's of last year's offensive line including NationalChamps.net First Team All American Derrick Roche at guard. Joining Roche is Calvin Armstrong, who was a third team freshman All-American last season and is one of several bright young offensive lineman playing for the Cougars. And when the Cougar offense comes up short of the goal line, they will once again turn to Kicker Drew Dunning. Last year he scored 101 points, the second highest total ever by a Cougar and a record for kickers. He hit 47 of 51 extra points (two were blocked, two were long-range PATs after penalties) and 18 of 22 field goals. The Lou Groza Award semifinalist never missed inside 40 yards, hitting all 16 attempts. Without a doubt, Gesser will be the key on offense. Last year he was a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist and one of the top signal callers in the nation. His 3,010 yards passing in 2001 and 3,111 yards in total offense both rank fourth on the all-time Cougar list. In the Pac-10, Gesser lead the league in both passing and total offense. Gesser is one of the premier quarterbacks in the country and coaches will continue to adjust the offense to his strengths, which should lead to a more productive next year. The quick-footed Gesser is on the verge of smashing WSU's career records for total offense and passing, moving ahead of such greats as Jack Thompson, Mark Rypien, Timm Rosenbach, Drew Bledsoe and Ryan Leaf. With Bush and Riley, the Cougars have two proven big-play receivers who played better last season than he expected. Mike Bush was a tremendous basketball player, but he had not played football since high school. The Cougars will also add Devard Darling, the transfer from Florida State, to their stable of receivers. The big concern will be locating a replacement for leading rusher Dave Minnich as there was no other back to go over 300 yards last season.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:
Washington State University Official Athletic Site

The Cougar defense is out to improve on several outstanding achievements from a year ago. In 2001, WSU's defense picked off a school record 26 interceptions and notched 40 sacks, including 30 by returning players. The WSU defense scored eight touchdowns last season, including four by members of this year's club. Over on the defensive side, the thought of going to battle next fall with three junior tackles, starters Long and Tai Tupai and veteran Jeremey Williams, has Coach Price smiling. Then again, maybe it is a full-blown grin when you add three-year starter Fred Shavies at one end position. No wonder Price thinks this year's defensive front may soon rival the 1995 Palouse Posse front four. Acholonu, incidentally, was the Pac-10 sack leader in 2001 and Brown was right behind him, ranking third in sacks. While neither was a starter last year, they were nonetheless accorded Pac-10 honorable mention honors. Al Genatone is the lone returning starter at linebacker, but the Cougar coaching staff will rely on a pair of junior college transfers and two outstanding second-year players who both saw action as true freshmen in 2001. The strength of WSU's secondary will be All-America candidate Marcus Trufant who many believe was the best cover corner in the conference last year until he missed five games with a broken hand. "Marcus Trufant is going to be one of the premier corners in the nation," predicts Price. "He is the total package. He is an athlete who can back pedal, jump and tackle. There can't be a better corner in the country." However, the concern on defense is the fact that two new starters need to found at both safety positions, including a replacement for the master himself, Mr. Lamont Thompson, as well as the fact that the linebacker spot was hit hard to graduation. WSU also must find a replacement for departed punter Alan Cox.