WSU Football | Apple Cup '09 final game for 15 Cougs

When Coach Paul Wulff took over the Washington State football program a little over two years ago the mission was to rebuild Cougar football. No promises were made as to how quickly things would improve. Wulff did promise a plan to rebuild the team "the right way".

A solid college football program might be analogous to building a home. Without a strong foundation you're likely constructing a house of cards.

Take a glance at successful football programs in the Pac-10 and there is a common denominator. Going into each new season such teams and their coaches are described as "reloading".

Coach Wulff arrived in Pullman set to put his plan in action that would build Washington State a solid football program. First problem Wulff encountered was the issue of reloading the Cougar roster. His roster listed a paltry number of fourth and fifth-year players ready to compete at the Pac-10 level.

Part of Wulff's plan included an appropriate dietary regimen and strength program. Following his first season as head coach, Wulff and his staff implemented both components into an off-season program designed to develop student/athletes. The results were visible during spring practice and fall camp. WSU players were bigger and stronger.

A key reason Washington State players matured physically during the off-season is the leadership shown by established student/athletes on the football roster who believed in Coach Wulff and his plan. In other words, the players bought into the system.

Stick to the plan and positive results will take place.

Fifteen football players will take the field Saturday afternoon in Husky Stadium to participate in their final game. They will always be a Coug, but their college football eligibility runs out around 6pm PST when the final whistle signals an end to the 2009 Apple Cup.

The fifteen young men shown below have experienced the improvement and positive change which is moving the Washington State football program forward. Thanks to WSU photography major Steven Squires and Examiner.com photographer Lewis Wright, Jr., you can browse through photos taken last week when fans in Martin Stadium paid tribute to a part of the foundation for the rebuilding of Cougar football.

Kenny Alfred

Jesse Feagin

Xavier Hicks, Jr.

Colin Huemmer

Andrew Kreutz

Reed Lesuma

Kevin Lopina

Andy Mattingly

 Patrick Rooney 

Jason Stripling

Dwight Tardy

Sam Tennant

Casey Thometz

Tony Thompson

Zach Tatman

As the underclassmen on the Washington State roster work hard over the off-season to continue the steady improvement of Cougar football, they will be standing on the shoulders of these seniors and their significant contributions to the Cougar football team.

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