WSU Football | A Cougar connection for the ages

When you pause to consider all the great quarterbacks who have played at Washington State University, the list is impressive.

Jack Thompson led the Cougs in the late 70's and with his strong arm.

Mark Rypien not only shredded Pac-10 defenses while leading WSU, he went only to a great career in the NFL that was highlighted by being named MVP of Super Bowl XXVI.

Timm Rosenbach led the NCAA in passing efficiency his junior year before entering the NFL draft where he was selected in the 1st round of the 1989 supplemental draft.

Drew Bledsoe enjoyed three outstanding years wearing the crimson and gray. He was named Pac-10 Player of the Year his junior year before moving on to a brilliant career in the NFL.

Ryan Leaf led the Cougs to the 1998 Rose Bowl.

Jason Gesser led WSU to more victories than any other Cougar quarterback. The only Coug to be elected team captain three years in a row was Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2002.

Alex Brink threw for nearly 11,000 yards in his career which ranks as No. 3 in Pac-10 history.

Those players are part of the rich tradition of Washington State Cougar football.

A young true freshman from Fresno, CA who was slated for a redshirt season was part of a record setting combination last Saturday against Arizona State. Jeff Tuel launched a pass that first-year transfer Johnny Forzani hauled in for a 99-yard touchdown play. The two young Cougs set a WSU record that will never be broken.

Rather than wax on eloquent attempting to describe "The Catch", simply view the slideshow below to see history being made.

The Examiner.com exclusive photos were captured by Lewis Wright, Jr.. Ironically, this is his first year covering Cougar football. There's a certain symmetry there.

Best thought to consider would be what Tuel and Forzani will accomplish in the games remaining on the 2009 schedule and beyond.

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