James Montgomery News

Washington State went 2-11 last year in Paul Wulff's first season as coach. This year, the Cougars finished 1-11. The 11 losses are the most in a single season at WSU.

Analyzing the downfall of the Washington State football program is somewhat akin to analyzing the impact of oxygen on Earth.

Washington State coach Paul Wulff, right, congratulates Washington coach Steve Sarkisian after the Apple Cup.

This limbo of a season for Washington State reached new depths in the Apple Cup.

In the post-mortem of a 30-0 Apple Cup defeat Saturday at Husky Stadium, WSU coach Paul Wulff made a wry observation on the seasoning of his football team.

Senior quarterback Kevin Lopina will make his second consecutive start for Washington State on Saturday in the Apple Cup game against rival Washington.

In 2008 the Apple Cup served as the punching bag for the national media, a matchup of woeful programs battling for residency of the Pac-10 basement.

For all the attention Jake Locker has received as Washington's quarterback, it's hard to believe his family will be divided come Saturday.

Paul Wulff just shakes his head in disbelief any time he starts talking about the stockpile of injuries that have devastated his Washington State football team.

Cal Where: Memorial Stadium When: 1:30 p.m. TV/Radio: None/810 Story line: If Cal really wants to resuscitate its season and reach a top-tier bowl, this game cannot be close.

Hope everyone is ready for a football Saturday. Sorry, you won't be able to watch the Washington State game today.

It was supposed to be homecoming week. James Montgomery and Brandon Jones have looked forward to it for almost two years, Saturday's visit to Berkeley.

There may not be a more aptly named college football player than the University of California's Jahvid Best.

This was supposed to be the day Washington State's James Montgomery returned to Memorial Stadium as the Cougars' featured running back, a position he may never have attained at Cal.

Coming off a 2-10 season a year ago, expectations weren't high for the 2009 Washington State football team.

Coach Paul Wulff met with media Tuesday afternoon. Following a bye week, he had both good news and bad news.

How soon is too soon for the Cougars to start looking to next season? In its 27-14 loss to Arizona State on Saturday, Washington State gave up 12 sacks.

His brief Sunday evening session with media was loaded with things the Cougs could build on as they prepare for Homecoming Week and hosting Arizona State this coming Saturday in Pullman, WA.

Washington State's only home game in a seven-week span offers a chance for the Cougars to show they're getting better - and not worse.

Paul Wulff has plenty of supporters, despite the 3-15 record he sports after 1 1/2 seasons as Washington State's football coach.