2007 PAC-10 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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1 2007 PAC-10 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2006 FINAL PACIFIC-10 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS Conference Games All Games W L Pct. Pts Opp W L Pct. Pts Opp 1. USC California Oregon State UCLA Oregon Arizona State Arizona Washington State Washington Stanford PAC-10 BOWL RESULTS (3-3): Rose Bowl Presented by Citi: USC 32, Michigan 18 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: California 45, Texas A&M 10 Brut Sun Bowl: Oregon State 39, Missouri 38 Emerald Bowl: Florida State 44, UCLA 27 Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl: BYU 38, Oregon 8 Sheraton Hawai i Bowl: Hawai i 41, Arizona State 24 THE RETURNEES: If experience is your thing, the Pac-10 is your place. The Pac-10 has a remarkable number of starters returning in 2007 as a total of 165 starters return (out of 240, including kickers). That works out to 68.8% of last year s starters reporting back for duty in 07. To put that number in some perspective, over the last ten years the average number of starters returning in any given year has been 146. UCLA has the most starters back with 21 out of 24, followed by Arizona and Stanford with 19 each. Washington returns the fewest starters with 12. The average Pac-10 team returns 16.5 starters--8 on offense, 7.5 on defense and one kicker. Here is a breakdown of who has what coming back: Returning Starters Off Def PK/P Total UCLA Arizona Stanford USC Arizona State Oregon State California Oregon Washington State Washington Average THE HEADLINERS: Despite losing three first-team All-America selections to early entry in the NFL draft, the Pac-10 returns plenty of headliners among those 165 returning starters. Included are 11 players who were voted first-team All-Pac- 10 by the league head coaches last season and an additional 20 players who were voted second-team All-Conference. Two of the most explosive players from 06 return in California s DeSean Jackson and Oregon State s Sammie Stroughter, both of whom dazzled as both receivers and punt returners last season. Jackson won the Randy Moss Return Man Award as the nation s top returner, was a consensus first-team All-America pick as a return man and was named first-team All-Pac-10 as both a punt returner and wide receiver. He established a Pac-10 season record by returning four punts for touchdowns, led the league with a 17.5-yard average per return, and had 59 receptions for 1,060 yards (18.0) and another nine TDs. Stroughter was equally impressive in earning second-team All-America honors as a return man, as well as second-team All-Pac-10 at both receiver and punt returner. Stroughter was second behind Jackson in punt returns with a 15.7-yard average 2007 PAC-10 FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY 2007 Pac-10 Football Media Day is scheduled for Thursday, July 26, at 9:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at Los Angeles International Airport. Pac- 10 head football coaches and a leading returning player from each team will be in attendance Pac-10 Football Preview 1

2 2007 PAC-10 FOOTBALL PREVIEW and three returned for TDs and led the Pac-10 in receiving yards with 1,293 yards and five TDs on 74 receptions.... USC OT Sam Baker was a consensus first-team All-America selection last year and Trojan FS Taylor Mays was named secondteam All-America as a freshman. Mays also was voted Pac-10 Co-Freshman of the Year by the coaches and was the Sporting News Pac-10 Freshman of the Year on defense. Trojan TB Emmanuel Moody was Sporting News Pac-10 Freshman of the Year on offense and Trojan NT Sedrick Ellis was named winner of the Morris Trophy as the outstanding defensive lineman in the Pac In addition to Jackson, Baker and Ellis, other first-team All-Pac-10 selections back for more in 2007 are QB John David Booty and LBs Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers of USC, TB Yvenson Bernard and OG Jeremy Perry of Oregon State, C Alex Mack of California, CB Antoine Cason of Arizona and CB Wopamo Osaisai of Stanford, selected for his performance on special teams. As noted, an additional 20 players named second-team All-Conference also return.... Nine teams, all but Oregon State, return their starting quarterbacks from the end of last season, although some of those returnees became starters due to injuries in front of them. Two quarterbacks who passed for more than 3,000 yards are back in Booty (3,347) of USC and Nate Longshore of California, with Washington State s Alex Brink not far behind (2,899). Booty (29), Longshore (24) and Arizona State s Rudy Carpenter (23) all had more than 20 TD passes in Three of last season s 1,000-yard rushers are back in Bernard (1,307) of Oregon State, Ryan Torain (1,229) of Arizona State and Chris Markey (1,107) of UCLA. TB Jonathan Stewart of Oregon just missed 1,000 yards rushing (981) and led the league in kickoff returns (28.1). BOWL PARTNERS: Only minor shuffling in the Pac-10 bowl picture this season. The champion is slated to go to the Rose Bowl, unless ranked one or two in the final BCS standings, in which case it would go to the BCS National Championship Game hosted by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The rest of the Pac-10 bowl lineup features the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, Brut Sun Bowl, Emerald Bowl, Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl and Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth Texas. NO MORE MISSES: The Pac-10 is in the second year of a full round-robin nine-game Conference schedule. The schedule reverses from last year and each school will play one home and one road game against a team from the other four geographical areas of the Conference, The traditional rival games alternate each year to determine which teams play four and which teams play five Conference home games each year. Hosting the traditional rivalry games this year, and thus having five home Conference games, are Arizona State, Oregon, Stanford, USC and Washington. NEW COACHES: Technically, two new head coaches in the Pac-10 this season, although one can hardly be called new to the league. Dennis Erickson becomes the first coach to ever lead three different Pac-10 football programs as he takes over the reins at Arizona State. Erickson previously served as head coach at Washington State ( ) and Oregon State ( ) and won a pair of national championships at Miami (Fla.) in between. He is a two-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, once at WSU in 1988 and again at OSU in 2000, when he also was named National Coach of the Year by the Sporting News. In 18 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Erickson has posted a record of (.694), including (.613) in six Pac-10 seasons.... Jim Harbaugh takes over as head man at Stanford, moving up after a very successful stint at University of San Diego, where he compiled a record of 29-6 (.829) in three years, including 11-1 in each of the last two seasons. Harbaugh had a 15-year playing career as a quarterback in the NFL and was quarterbacks coach of the Oakland Raiders prior to going to San Diego. His father, Jack Harbaugh, was Stanford s defensive coordinator for two years ( ) and Jim Harbaugh played his prep football and graduated from Palo Alto High School, across the street from Stanford Stadium. TURNSTILES CLICKING: Pac-10 football has never been more popular as the Conference set a record for overall attendance in A total of 3,604,124 fans attended games at Pac-10 stadiums last year, an average of 56,314 per game. That 56,314 average figure is impressive considering it is more than the capacity of five of the league s 10 stadiums. Leading the way was USC, which for the second year in a row topped more than 90,000 fans per game as a record average of 91,480 jammed the L.A. Coliseum for Trojan games Pac-10 Football Preview

3 2007 PACIFIC-10 CHRONOLOGICAL SCHEDULE Thu., Aug. 30 Utah at Oregon State Fri., Aug. 31 Washington at Syracuse Sat., Sep. 1 UCLA at STANFORD San Jose State at Arizona State Tennessee at California Houston at Oregon Idaho at USC Arizona at BYU Washington State at Wisconsin Thu., Sep. 6 Oregon State at Cincinnati Sat., Sep. 8 Northern Arizona at Arizona Colorado at Arizona State BYU at UCLA Boise State at Washington San Diego State at Washington ST. (at Seattle) California at Colorado State Oregon at Michigan Sat., Oct. 13 ARIZONA at USC WASHINGTON at ARIZONA STATE OREGON STATE at CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON STATE at OREGON TCU at Stanford Sat., Oct. 20 STANFORD at ARIZONA CALIFORNIA at UCLA OREGON at WASHINGTON USC at Notre Dame Sat., Oct. 27 ARIZONA at WASHINGTON CALIFORNIA at ARIZONA STATE USC at OREGON STANFORD at OREGON STATE UCLA at WASHINGTON STATE Sat., Nov. 3 UCLA at ARIZONA ARIZONA STATE at OREGON WASHINGTON STATE at CALIFORNIA OREGON STATE at USC WASHINGTON at STANFORD Sat., Sep. 15 New Mexico at Arizona San Diego State at Arizona State Louisiana Tech at California Fresno State at Oregon Idaho State at Oregon State San Jose State at Stanford Ohio State at Washington Idaho at Washington State UCLA at Utah USC at Nebraska Sat., Sep. 22 ARIZONA at CALIFORNIA OREGON STATE at ARIZONA STATE OREGON at STANFORD WASHINGTON at UCLA WASHINGTON STATE at USC Sat., Sep. 29 WASHINGTON STATE at ARIZONA ARIZONA STATE at STANFORD CALIFORNIA at OREGON UCLA at OREGON STATE USC at WASHINGTON Sat., Oct. 6 ARIZONA at OREGON STATE ARIZONA ST. at WASHINGTON ST. STANFORD at USC Notre Dame at UCLA Sat., Nov. 10 ARIZONA STATE at UCLA USC at CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON at OREGON STATE STANFORD at WASHINGTON STATE Thu., Nov. 15 OREGON at ARIZONA Sat., Nov. 17 CALIFORNIA at WASHINGTON OREGON ST. at WASHINGTON ST. Thu., Nov. 22 USC at ARIZONA STATE Sat., Nov. 24 OREGON at UCLA WASHINGTON ST. at WASHINGTON Notre Dame at Stanford Sat., Dec. 1 ARIZONA at ARIZONA STATE CALIFORNIA at STANFORD OREGON STATE at OREGON UCLA at USC Washington at Hawai i 2007 Pac-10 Football Preview 3

4 ARIZONA WILDCATS Location: Tucson, AZ Founded: 1885 Enrollment: 37,000 Nickname: Wildcats Colors: Cardinal & Navy President: Dr. Robert Shelton Athletics Director: Jim Livengood Football Coach: Mike Stoops Record at Arizona: (.333), 3 years Career Record: (.333), 3 years SID: Tom Duddleston Jr. ( /tduddles@arizona.edu) Asst. SIDs: Matt Rector, Rich Paige, Julian Temblador Stadium: Arizona Stadium (56,002 - Grass) Offense: Multiple-Spread Defense: Multiple Schedule (6 home, 6 away) Sep. 1 at BYU Sep. 8 Northern Arizona Sep. 15 New Mexico Sep. 22 at California Sep. 29 Washington State Oct. 6 at Oregon State Oct. 13 at USC Oct. 20 Stanford Oct. 27 at Washington Nov. 3 UCLA Nov. 15 Oregon Dec. 1 at Arizona State 2006 Results (6-6, 4-5 in Pac-10, tied 5th) W BYU L 3-45 at LSU W Stephen F. Austin L 3-20 USC L Washington L 7-27 at UCLA W 20-7 at Stanford L Oregon State W at Washington State W California W at Oregon L Arizona State 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Chris Henry Chris Jennings Xavier Smith PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Willie Tuitama Adam Austin Kris Heavner RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Syndric Steptoe Mike Thomas Anthony Johnson Chris Henry Scoring: Nick Folk (67) Field Goals: Nick Folk (15-20) Punting: Nick Folk (44.0) Kickoff Returns: Syndric Steptoe (25.6) Punt Returns: Syndric Steptoe (13.1) Interceptions: Michael Klyce (3) Antoine Cason (3) Tackles: Spencer Larsen (89) Tackles For Loss: Spencer Larsen (10.5) Quarterback Sacks: Louis Holmes (4) Pac-10 Football Preview

5 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 19 Starters Lost: 5 Offensive Starters Returning (9) WR Mike Thomas Jr LT Peter Graniello Sr LG Daniel Borg So C Blake Kerley So RG Joe Longacre Jr RT Eben Britton So WR Anthony Johnson Sr QB Willie Tuitama Jr FB Earl Mitchell So Defensive Starters Returning (10) DE Jonathan Turner Jr NG Yaniv Barnett Sr DT Lionel Dotson Sr DE Louis Holmes Sr SLB Dane Krogstad Sr MLB Ronnie Palmer Jr WLB Spencer Larsen Sr CB Antoine Cason Sr FS Dominic Patrick Sr CB Wilrey Fontenot Sr Starting Kickers Returning (0) Six to Watch CB Antoine Cason Sr OLB Spencer Larsen Sr DE Louis Holmes Sr OT Eben Britton So WR Mike Thomas Jr MLB Ronnie Palmer Jr Offensive Starters Lost (2) WR Syndric Steptoe RB Chris Henry Defensive Starters Lost (1) SS Michael Johnson Starting Kickers Lost (2) PK/P Nick Folk Offense: Nine starters return to what was a young offensive unit last season and the Wildcats need improvement on this side of the ball to continue their trip up the Pac-10 standings. Junior Willie Tuitama is the leader at quarterback and the exciting signal-caller has a top of the line receiver in WR Mike Thomas, who had an even 50 catches for 597 yards last season. The Wildcats need to juice up the running game and should be helped in that endeavor by returning a still young offensive line intact. The O-line is bookended by emerging star OT Eben Britton, a freshman All-America pick last year, and veteran OT Peter Graniello. Defense: Ten starters return to a defensive unit that ranked third in the Pac- 10 in scoring defense at 19.6 points per game. Included are eight seniors and two juniors, making this an extremely experienced unit that is the strength of the Wildcat team that finished in a rush last year in winning three of its final four games. The entire front seven and three of four defensive backs return and at least seven UA defenders can be mentioned as honors candidates. DE Louis Holmes was a second-team All-Pac-10 selection last year and the DT duo of Yaniv Barnett and Lionel Dotson hold down the middle. The linebacking trio of OLB Spencer Larsen, MLB Ronnie Palmer and OLB Dane Krogstad returns intact. The Cats boast a talented pair of senior CBs in All-Pac-10 selection Antoine Cason and Wilrey Fontenot. The Schedule: A tough Pac-10 road schedule for Arizona as the Cats must travel to expected contenders USC, California and Oregon State, plus end the regular season at Arizona State Pac-10 Football Preview 5

6 ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS Location: Tempe, AZ Founded: 1885 Enrollment: 63,278 Nickname: Sun Devils Colors: Maroon & Gold President: Dr. Michael Crow Athletics Director: Lisa Love Football Coach: Dennis Erickson Record at Arizona State: 0-0, first year Career Record: (.694), 18 years SID: Mark Brand Asst. SIDs: Doug Tammaro, Randy Policar, Steve Rodriguez, Alex Ryan, Kerry Howe Stadium: Sun Devil Stadium (71,706 - Grass) Offense: Multiple Defense: Multiple 2007 Schedule (8 home, 4 away) Sep. 1 San Jose State Sep. 8 Colorado Sep. 15 San Diego State Sep. 22 Oregon State Sep. 29 at Stanford Oct. 6 at Washington State Oct. 13 Washington Oct. 27 California Nov. 3 at Oregon Nov. 10 at UCLA Nov. 22 USC Dec. 1 Arizona 2006 Results (7-6, 4-5 in Pac-10,tied 5th) W Northern Arizona W Nevada W 21-3 at Colorado L at California L Oregon L at USC W 38-3 Stanford W OT at Washington L at Oregon State W Washington State L UCLA W at Arizona L Hawai i (Sheraton Hawai i Bowl) 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Ryan Torain Keegan Herring Dimitri Nance PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Rudy Carpenter RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Zach Miller Mike Jones Ryan Torain Chris McGaha Nate Kimbrough Scoring: Jesse Ainsworth (84) Field Goals: Jesse Ainsworth (14-19) Punting: Jonathan Johnson (41.5) Kickoff Returns: Terry Richardson (33.6) Punt Returns: Terry Richardson (11.1) Interceptions: Josh Barrett (3) Tackles: Josh Barrett (82) Tackles For Loss: Dexter Davis (10.5) Quarterback Sacks: Dexter Davis (6) Pac-10 Football Preview

7 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 17 Starters Lost: 7 Offensive Starters Returning (10) WR Mike Jones Jr LT Brandon Rodd Sr LG Robert Gustavis Sr C Mike Pollak Sr RG Paul Fanaika Jr RT Julius Orieukwu Sr HB Brent Miller Sr QB Rudy Carpenter Jr TB Ryan Torain Sr WR Chris McGaha So Defensive Starters Returning (6) DE Dexter Davis So DT Michael Marquardt Sr WLB Travis Goethel So SLB Mike Nixon So S Josh Barrett Sr CB Justin Tryon Sr Starting Kickers Returning (1) P Jonathan Johnson Sr Offensive Starters Lost (1) TE Zach Miller Defensive Starters Lost (5) DT Jordan Hill DE Kyle Caldwell MLB Beau Manutai CB Keno Walter-White S Zach Catanese Starting Kickers Lost (1) PK Jesse Ainsworth Six to Watch C Mike Pollak Sr TB Ryan Torain Sr S Josh Barrett Sr DT Michael Marquardt Sr OT Brandon Rodd Sr QB Rudy Carpenter Jr Offense: New coach Dennis Erickson welcomes 10 starters back on offense. Leading the way is junior QB Rudy Carpenter, who in his first two seasons has passed for 4,796 yards and 40 TDs. The Sun Devils ranked second in the Pac-10 in rushing last year at yards per game and return their top three rushers led by Ryan Torain. Torain ranked third in Pac-10 rushing last year with 1,229 yards and his 5.5 yards per carry trailed only Cal All-America Marshawn Lynch among the league s starting running backs. All five starters on the offensive line return led by second-team All-Pac-10 C Mike Pollak. Defense: Six starters return on defense and the Sun Devils must improve this unit if they are to climb up the Pac-10 standings. The line will be anchored by returnees DT Michael Marquardt and DE Dexter Davis, who led ASU in tackles for loss and QB sacks as a redshirt freshman last year. The Sun Devils allowed more TD passes than any team in the league last year and will likely improve in that area as a more seasoned group led by CB Justin Tryon and safety Josh Barrett. The Schedule: Arizona State has eight home games against just four road games this year and new coach Dennis Erickson has the opportunity to get off to a fast start with his first four games at home. Expected contenders USC, California and Oregon State must all venture to Sun Devil Stadium Pac-10 Football Preview 7

8 Location: Berkeley, CA Founded: 1868 Enrollment: 33,000 Nickname: Golden Bears Colors: Blue & Gold Chancellor: Dr. Robert J. Birgeneau Athletics Director: Sandy Barbour Football Coach: Jeff Tedford Record at California: (.683), 5 years Career Record: (.683), 5 years SID: Herb Benenson ( /benenson@berkeley.edu) Football SID: John Sudsbury ( /sudsbury@berkeley.edu) Asst. SIDs: Chris DeConna, Debbie Rosenfeld-Caparaz, Scott Ball, Tim Miguel, Dean Caparaz, Kimberley Hoidal Stadium: Memorial Stadium (72,516 - Sportexe Turf) Offense: Multiple Defense: Results 2007 Schedule (10-3, 7-2 in Pac-10, tied 1st) (6 home, 6 away) L at Tennessee Sep. 1 Tennessee W Minnesota Sep. 8 at Colorado State W Portland State Sep. 15 Louisiana Tech W Arizona State Sep. 22 Arizona W at Oregon State Sep. 29 at Oregon W Oregon Oct. 13 Oregon State W 21-3 at Washington State Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Dec. 1 CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS at UCLA at Arizona State Washington State USC at Washington at Stanford 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Marshawn Lynch Justin Forsett Marcus O Keith PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Nate Longshore Joe Ayoob RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD DeSean Jackson Lavelle Hawkins Robert Jordan Marshawn Lynch Craig Stevens Justin Forsett Scoring: Tom Schneider (97) Field Goals: Tom Schneider (15-20) Punting: Andrew Larson (42.6) Kickoff Returns: Marcus O Keith (24.4) Punt Returns: DeSean Jackson (18.2) Interceptions: Daymeion Hughes (8) Tackles: Desmond Bishop (126) Tackles For Loss: Desmond Bishop (15) Quarterback Sacks: Zack Follett (5.5) Nu u Tafisi (5.5) Pac-10 Football Preview W OT Washington W UCLA L at Arizona L 9-23 at USC W Stanford W Texas A&M (Pacific Life Holiday Bowl)

9 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 14 Starters Lost: 10 Offensive Starters Returning (7) WR Robert Jordan Sr C Alex Mack Jr RG Noris Malele Jr RT Mike Gibson Sr TE Craig Stevens Sr WR DeSean Jackson Jr QB Nate Longshore Jr Defensive Starters Returning (5) DT Matt Malele Sr WLB Worrell Williams Jr FS Bernard Hicks Jr ROV Brandon Hampton Sr CB Syd Quan Thompson So Starting Kickers Returning (2) PK Tom Schneider Sr P Andrew Larson Sr Offensive Starters Lost (4) OT Andrew Cameron OG Erik Robertson FB Byron Storer TB Marshawn Lynch Defensive Starters Lost (6) DE Abu Ma afala DT Brandon Mebane DE Nu u Tafisi SLB Mickey Pimentel MLB Desmond Bishop CB Daymeion Hughes Starting Kickers Lost (0) Six to Watch WR DeSean Jackson Jr C Alex Mack Jr QB Nate Longshore Jr TE Craig Stevens Sr OT Mike Gibson Sr MLB Zack Follett Jr Offense: California returns seven starters to an offensive unit that led the Pac-10 in scoring last year at 32.8 points per game and scored more than 40 points in six games. The Golden Bears ranked in the top three in every major Pac-10 offensive statistic category in Directing the attack is QB Nate Longshore, who blossomed last year in ranking second in the Pac-10 in pass efficiency (141.6) after throwing for 3,021 yards and 24 TDs. While All-America TB Marshawn Lynch has departed for the NFL, senior TB Justin Forsett, who has rushed more than 1,600 yards in his career and averaged 6.4 yards per carry, is back to carry the load. Longshore is blessed with a stable of experienced and talented receivers. Gamebreaking WR DeSean Jackson had 59 catches for 1,060 yards and nine TD last year and earned first-team All-America honors as a return man after returning four punts for TDs. Also back are WRs Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins, who each caught 46 passes last year, and second-team All-Pac-10 TE Craig Stevens. Three starters return on the offensive line with C Alex Mack and OT Mike Gibson being standouts. Defense: California faces some rebuilding on defense as the Bears must replace six starters, three of whom were first-team All-Pac-10 performers, including Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year CB Daymeion Hughes. Linebacker should be the strength of the unit with Worrell Williams returning on the outside and Zack Follett, who led the Bears in QB sacks last year coming off the bench, slated to take over in the middle. Three starters return to the defensive backfield, but three new starters must be found on the line. The Schedule: It starts out with a bang as Cal tries to avenge last year s openinggame defeat at Tennessee. This time the game is at Memorial Stadium, as the Vols make their first trip ever to Berkeley. Three of Cal s first four games are at home, but the Bears do have five Conference road trips this year Pac-10 Football Preview 9

10 Location: Eugene, OR Founded: 1876 Enrollment: 20,338 Nickname: Ducks Colors: Green & Yellow President: Dave Frohnmayer Athletics Director: Pat Kilkenny Football Coach: Mike Bellotti Record at Oregon: (.669), 12 years Career Record: (.617), 17 years SID: David Williford Asst. SID: Andy McNamara, Geoff Thurner, Greg Walker, Andria Wenzel Stadium: Autzen Stadium (54,000 - FieldTurf) Offense: Multiple Defense: Schedule (7 home, 5 away) Sep.1 Houston Sep. 8 at Michigan Sep. 15 Fresno State Sep. 22 at Stanford Sep. 29 California Oct. 13 Washington State Oct. 20 at Washington Oct. 27 USC Nov. 3 Arizona State Nov. 15 at Arizona Nov. 24 at UCLA Dec. 1 Oregon State OREGON DUCKS 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Jonathan Stewart Jeremiah Johnson Dennis Dixon PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Dennis Dixon Brady Leaf RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Jaison Williams Jordan Kent Dante Rosario Brian Paysinger Jonathan Stewart Scoring: Paul Martinez (88) Field Goals: Paul Martinez (15-22) Punting: Aaron Knowles (40.4) Kickoff Returns: Jonathan Stewart (28.1) Punt Returns: Patrick Chung (12.1) Interceptions: Jairus Byrd (5) Tackles: Blair Phillips (105) Tackles For Loss: Darius Sanders (11.5) Quarterback Sacks: Darius Sanders (9) 2006 Results (7-6, 4-5 in Pac-10, tied 5th) W Stanford W at Fresno State W Oklahoma W at Arizona State L at California W UCLA L at Washington State W Portland State W Washington L at USC L Arizona L at Oregon State L 8-38 BYU (Las Vegas Bowl) Pac-10 Football Preview

11 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 14 Starters Lost: 10 Offensive Starters Returning (7) WR Jaison Williams Jr LT Max Unger Jr LG Josh Tschirgi Sr RT Geoff Schwartz Sr QB Dennis Dixon Sr TB Jonathan Stewart Jr WR Brian Paysinger Sr Defensive Starters Returning (7) DT David Faaeteete Sr DE Nick Reed Jr WLB A.J. Tuitele Sr SS Kwame Agyeman Sr LC Jairus Byrd So ROV Patrick Chung Jr RC Walter Thurmond III So Starting Kickers Returning (0) Offensive Starters Lost (4) C Enoka Lucas RG Palauni Ma Sun TE Dante Rosario WR Jordan Kent Defensive Starters Lost (4) DE Darius Sanders DT Matt Toeaina MLB Blair Phillips FS J.D. Nelson Starting Kickers Lost (2) PK Paul Martinez P Aaron Knowles Six to Watch TB Jonathan Stewart Jr OT Max Unger Jr ROV Patrick Chung Jr CB Jairus Byrd So WR Jaison Williams Jr CB Walter Thurmond III So Offense: Oregon returns seven starters to a unit that averaged 29.5 points per game and led the Pac-10 in total offense (423.2 yards per game) and rushing offense (182.2). That rushing offense was keyed by the dynamic tailback duo of Jonathan Stewart (981) and Jeremiah Johnson (644), who combined for 1,625 yards and 20 TDs rushing while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. WR Jaison Williams is the top returning receiver in the Conference in terms of receptions per game (5.67), as he pulled in 68 catches for 984 yards and six TDs in a breakout sophomore season. QBs Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf both return at the quarterback position, an area in which the Ducks need more consistent production. Three starters are back on the offensive line led by OT Max Unger, a second-team All-Pac-10 pick as a soph last year. Defense: Oregon also returns seven starters on defense. The Ducks ranked third in the Pac-10 in total defense last year, but had difficulty stopping the run and allowed 26.5 points per game. Strength for the Duck D can be found in rover Patrick Chung and two sophomore CBs--Jairus Byrd and Walter Thurmond--who both earned freshman All-America honors in starting as redshirt freshman last year. The Schedule: Oregon gets expected Conference powers USC and California at home in raucous Autzen Stadium this year. The Ducks have a major non-conference test at Michigan Pac-10 Football Preview 11

12 OREGON STATE BEAVERS Location: Corvallis, OR Founded: 1868 Enrollment: 19,300 Nickname: Beavers Colors: Orange & Black President: Dr. Edward Ray Athletics Director: Bob DeCarolis Football Coach: Mike Riley Record at Oregon State: (.528), 6 years Career Record: (.528), 6 years SID: Steve Fenk ( /steve.fenk@oregonstate.edu) Asst. SIDs: Roger Horne, Kip Carlson, Michelle Westerberg, Jason Amberg Stadium: Reser Stadium (46,000 - FieldTurf) Offense: Multiple Defense: Multiple 2007 Schedule (6 home, 6 away) Aug. 30 Utah Sep. 6 at Cincinnati Sep. 15 Idaho State Sep. 22 at Arizona State Sep. 29 UCLA Oct. 6 Arizona Oct. 13 at California Oct. 27 Stanford Nov. 3 at USC Nov. 10 Washington Nov. 17 at Washington State Dec. 1 at Oregon 2006 Results (10-4, 6-3 in Pac-10, 3rd) W Eastern Washington L at Boise State W 38-0 Idaho L California L 6-13 Washington State W at Washington W at Arizona W USC W Arizona State L 7-25 at UCLA W 30-7 at Stanford W Oregon W at Hawai i W Missouri (Brut Sun Bowl) 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Yvenson Bernard Clinton Polk PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Matt Moore Sean Canfield RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Sammie Stroughter Yvenson Bernard Brandon Powers Joe Newton Anthony Wheat-Brown Ruben Jackson Scoring: Alexis Serna (111) Field Goals: Alexis Serna (22-29) Punting: Kyle Loomis (41.3) Kickoff Returns: Coye Francies (22.4) Punt Returns: Sammie Stroughter (15.7) Interceptions: Sabby Piscitelli (5) Tackles: Joey LaRocque (98) Tackles For Loss: Derrick Doggett (14.5) Quarterback Sacks: Dorian Smith (9) Pac-10 Football Preview

13 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 17 Starters Lost: 7 Offensive Starters Returning (7) SE Sammie Stroughter Sr SL Brandon Powers Sr LG Jeremy Perry Jr C Kyle DeVan Jr RG Roy Schuening Sr RT Andy Levitre Jr TB Yvenson Bernard Sr Defensive Starters Returning (8) RT Curtis Coker Sr RE Jeff Van Orsow Sr SLB Derrick Doggett Sr MLB Alan Darlin Sr WLB Joey LaRocque Sr LC Keenan Lewis Jr FS Al Afalava Jr RC Brandon Hughes Jr Starting Kickers Returning (2) PK Alexis Serna Sr P Kyle Loomis So Offensive Starters Lost (4) LT Adam Koets TE Joe Newton QB Matt Moore FL Ruben Jackson Defensive Starters Lost (3) LE Joe Lemma LT Ben Siegert SS Sabby Piscitelli Starting Kickers Lost (0) Six to Watch TB Yvenson Bernard Sr OG Jeremy Perry Jr SE/PR Sammie Stroughter Sr C Kyle DeVan Sr PK Alexis Serna Sr OLB Derrick Doggett Sr Offense: Oregon State returns seven starters on offense, including a number of honors candidates. The big question mark for the Beavers is replacing Matt Moore at quarterback. Soph Sean Canfield, Moore s backup last year, is expected to get the first look, but will be challenged by Lyle Moevao. Returning is first-team All-Pac- 10 TB Yvenson Bernard, who has rushed for more that 1,300 yards in each of the last two seasons and has scored 27 TDs in his career. Bernard is looking to become just the seventh runner in league history to post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He is the only returning rusher in the league to average 100 yards per game last season. Also back is explosive WR/PR Sammie Stroughter He led the league in receiving yards last year (1,293) and earned second-team All-America honors for his punt returning, where he averaged 15.7 yards per return and brought three back for TDs. A strength for the Beavers is the offensive line, which returns four of five starters, all of whom earned at least honorable mention All-Pac-10 last season. PK Alexis Serna, the Groza Award winner and a first-team All-America selection in 2005, ranked second in the Pac-10 in both scoring and field goals last season and is a potent scoring threat for the Beavs. Defense: Eight starters are back on defense at OSU. The Beavers have become know as Linebacker U. in recent years and 2007 should continue the tradition as linebackers will form the heart of the OSU defense. The starting unit of secondteam All-Pac-10 OLB Derrick Doggett, who had 14 tackles for loss last year, MLB Alan Darlin and OLB Jerry LaRocque returns intact. Up front, the standout is DE Jeff Van Orsow and three of four starters return in the secondary. The Schedule: Oregon State, which won eight of its last nine games last year, faces a difficult road schedule this season. Conference play finds the Beavers taking trips to USC, California, Oregon, Arizona State and Washington State Pac-10 Football Preview 13

14 STANFORD CARDINAL Location: Stanford, CA Founded: 1885 Enrollment: 13,075 Nickname: Cardinal Colors: Cardinal & White President: Dr. John Hennessy Athletics Director: Bob Bowlsby Football Coach: Jim Harbaugh Record at Stanford: 0-0, first year Career Record: 29-6 (.829), 3 years SID: Gary Migdol ( /gmigdol@stanford.edu) Media Relations Staff: Kyle McRae, Aimee Dombrowski, Jeane Goff, Brian Risso Stadium: Stanford Stadium (50,000 - Grass) Offense: Pro Defense: Schedule (8 home, 4 away) 2006 Results (1-11, 1-8 in Pac-10, 10th) Sep. 1 UCLA L at Oregon Sep. 15 San Jose State L at San Jose State Sep. 22 Oregon L 9-37 Navy Sep. 29 Arizona State L Washington State Oct. 6 at USC L 0-31 at UCLA Oct. 13 TCU L at Notre Dame Oct. 20 at Arizona L 7-20 Arizona Oct. 27 at Oregon State L 3-38 at Arizona State Nov. 3 Washington L 0-42 USC Nov. 10 at Washington State W 20-3 at Washington Nov. 24 Notre Dame L 7-30 Oregon State Dec. 1 California L at California 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Anthony Kimble Toby Gerhart PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Trent Edwards T.C. Ostrander RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Richard Sherman Kelton Lynn Jim Dray Anthony Kimble Austin Yancy Toby Gerhart Evan Moore Scoring: Aaron Zagory (37) Field Goals: Aaron Zagory (8-13) Punting: Jay Ottovegio (39.6) Kickoff Returns: Jason Evans (21.8) Punt Returns: Chris Hobbs (5.6) Interceptions: Bo McNally (2) Tackles: Michael Okwo (95) Tackles For Loss: Tim Sims (5.5) Pannel Egboh (5.5) Quarterback Sacks: Trevor Hooper (2.5) Pac-10 Football Preview

15 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 19 Starters Lost: 5 Offensive Starters Returning (9) WR Evan Moore Sr LT Allen Smith Sr C Alex Fletcher Sr RT Chris Marinelli Jr TE Jim Dray Jr QB T.C. Ostrander Sr RB Anthony Kimble Sr FB Emeka Nnoli Sr WR Richard Sherman So Defensive Starters Returning (8) DE Chris Horn Sr NT Ekom Udofia Jr DE Pannel Egboh Sr LB Udeme Udofia Sr LB Pat Maynor Sr LB Clinton Snyder Jr CB Wopamo Osaisai Sr CB Tim Sims Sr Starting Kickers Returning (2) PK Aaron Zagory Sr P Jay Ottovegio Sr Offensive Starters Lost (2) LG Josiah Vinson RG Jon Cochran Defensive Starters Lost (3) LB Michael Okwo S Brandon Harrison S Trevor Hooper Starting Kickers Lost (0) Six to Watch WR Evan Moore Sr CB Wopamo Osaisai Sr WR Richard Sherman So C Alex Fletcher Sr CB Tim Sims Sr WR Mark Bradford Sr Offense: New Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh has plenty of starters returning, including nine on offense, seven of whom are seniors. T.C. Ostrander started five games at QB after Trent Edwards was felled by injury. Leading rusher RB Anthony Kimble returns, as do a host of receivers led by 6-foot-7 WR Evan Moore and WR Mark Bradford, who has 118 career receptions, but missed almost all of last season with an injury. Three starters return on the offensive line. Defense: Similar to the offense, Stanford has eight returning starters on defense, including six seniors. Six of the front seven are back, along with CBs Wopamo Osaisai and Tim Sims. A priority will be finding some new safeties. The Schedule: The Cardinal is still looking for their first win in shiny new Stanford Stadium, which opened last season. The Card will get plenty of chances as Stanford plays eight of its 12 games at home this year. Included are the first four and five of the first six games of the season Pac-10 Football Preview 15

16 Pac-10 Football Preview UCLA BRUINS Location: Los Angeles, CA Founded: 1919 Enrollment: 38,000 Nickname: Bruins Colors: Blue & Gold Chancellor: Gene Block Athletics Director: Daniel Guerrero Football Coach: Karl Dorrell Record at UCLA: (.580), 4 years Career Record: (.580), 4 years SID: Marc Dellins ( /mdellins@athletics.ucla.edu) Asst. SIDs: Steve Rourke, Rich Bertolucci, Ryan Finney, Liza David, Amy Hughes, Danny Harrington, Stephanie Sampson Stadium: Rose Bowl (91,500 - Grass) Offense: Multiple Defense: Schedule (6 home, 6 away) Sep. 1 at Stanford Sep. 8 BYU Sep. 15 at Utah Sep. 22 Washington Sep. 29 at Oregon State Oct. 6 Notre Dame Oct. 20 California Oct. 27 at Washington State Nov. 3 at Arizona Nov. 10 Arizona State Nov. 24 Oregon Dec. 1 at USC 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Chris Markey Kahlil Bell Pat Cowan Chane Moline PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Pat Cowan Ben Olson RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Chris Markey Marcus Everett Junior Taylor Logan Paulsen Brandon Braezell Matt Willis Scoring: Justin Medlock (113) Field Goals: Justin Medlock (28-32) Punting: Aaron Perez (42.6) Kickoff Returns: Derrick Williams (26.2) Punt Returns: Terrence Austin (13.8) Interceptions: Trey Brown (4) Tackles: Chris Horton (95) Tackles For Loss: Justin Hickman (19) Quarterback Sacks: Justin Hickman (12.5) Bruce Davis (12.5) 2006 Results (7-6, 5-4 in Pac-10, 4th) W Utah W Rice L at Washington W 31-0 Stanford W 27-7 Arizona L at Oregon L at Notre Dame L Washington State L at California W 25-7 Oregon State W at Arizona State W 13-9 USC L Florida State (Emerald Bowl)

17 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 21 Starters Lost: 3 Offensive Starters Returning (10) SE Marcus Everett Sr ST Aleksey Lanis So SG Shannon Tevaga Sr WG Chris Joseph Sr WT Noah Sutherland Sr TE Logan Paulsen Jr QB Pat Cowan Jr FB Michael Pitre Sr TB Chris Markey Sr FL Brandon Breazell Sr Defensive Starters Returning (10) DT Kevin Brown Sr DT Brigham Harwell Sr RE Bruce Davis Sr SLB Aaron Whittington Sr MLB Christian Taylor Sr WLB Reggie Carter So LC Trey Brown Sr SS Chris Horton Sr FS Dennis Keyes Sr RC Rodney Van Sr Starting Kickers Returning (1) P Aaron Perez Jr Offensive Starters Lost (1) C Robert Chai Defensive Starters Lost (1) DE Justin Hickman Starting Kickers Lost (1) PK Justin Medlock Six to Watch DE Bruce Davis Sr OG Shannon Tevaga Sr SS Chris Horton Sr TB Chris Markey Sr CB Trey Brown Sr MLB Christian Taylor Sr Offense: UCLA returns 10 starters to an offensive unit that finished in the middle of the pack last year. Included are two quarterbacks with starting experience. Ben Olson started the first five games for the Bruins before going down with a knee injury. Pat Cowan stepped in and started the remaining seven games. Also back is 1,000-yard rusher TB Chris Markey, who ran for 1,107 yards in 06. Four starters, led by OG Shannon Tevaga, return along the offensive line, as does TE Logan Paulson. Defense: UCLA returns 10 starters, including nine seniors, from the defensive unit that ranked second in the Pac-10 last year in total defense at yards per game. Needless to say, this experienced unit will be a strength for the Bruins. Second-team All-Pac-10 DE Bruce Davis, who was the Pac-10 co-leader in QB sacks last year with 12.5, and DT Brigham Harwell anchor the line. Christian Taylor is a standout at middle linebacker and a strong secondary returns intact. Among those returning in the defensive backfield are second-team All-Pac-10 SS Chris Horton, CB Trey Brown and Pac-10 co-freshman of the year CB Alterraun Verner. The Schedule: UCLA splits home-road games with six at the Rose Bowl and six on the road and never has more than two in a row either home or away. Among the visitors to the Rose Bowl is Notre Dame, which will make just its second visit ever to the famed stadium Pac-10 Football Preview 17

18 Location: Los Angeles, CA Founded: 1880 Enrollment: 33,000 Nickname: Trojans Colors: Cardinal & Gold President: Dr. Steven B. Sample Athletics Director: Mike Garrett Football Coach: Pete Carroll Record at USC: (.844), 6 years Career Record: (.844), 6 years SID: Tim Tessalone ( /tessalon@usc.edu) Asst. SIDs: Paul Goldberg, Jason Pommier, Darcy Couch, David Tuttle Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (92,000 - Grass) Offense: Multiple Defense: Schedule (6 home, 6 away) Sep.1 Idaho Sep. 15 at Nebraska Sep. 22 Washington State Sep. 29 at Washington Oct. 6 Stanford Oct. 13 Arizona Oct. 20 at Notre Dame Oct. 27 at Oregon Nov. 3 Oregon State Nov. 10 at California Nov. 22 at Arizona State Dec. 1 UCLA USC TROJANS 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Chauncey Washington Emmanuel Moody C.J. Gable PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD John David Booty RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Steve Smith Dwayne Jarrett Fred Davis Patrick Turner Chris McFoy Scoring: Mario Danelo (99) Field Goals: Mario Danelo (15-16) Punting: Greg Woidneck (38.3) Kickoff Returns: C.J. Gable (27.0) Punt Returns: Desmond Reed (5.4) Interceptions: Taylor Mays (3) Tackles: Keith Rivers (85) Tackles For Loss: Brian Cushing (13.5) Quarterback Sacks: Dallas Sartz (7) 2006 Results (11-2, 7-2 in Pac-10, tied 1st) W at Arkansas W Nebraska W 20-3 at Arizona W at Washington State W Washington W Arizona State L at Oregon State W 42-0 at Stanford W Oregon W 23-9 California W Notre Dame L 9-13 at UCLA W Michigan (Rose Bowl) Pac-10 Football Preview

19 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 18 Starters Lost: 6 Offensive Starters Returning (7) LT Sam Baker Sr LG Drew Radovich Sr RG Chilo Rachal Jr TE Fred Davis Sr QB John David Booty Sr FB Thomas Williams Sr TB C.J. Gable So Defensive Starters Returning (10) DE Lawrence Jackson Sr NT Sedrick Ellis Sr DT Fili Moala Jr DE Brian Cushing Jr MLB Rey Maualuga Jr WLB Keith Rivers Sr CB Cary Harris Jr FS Taylor Mays So SS Kevin Ellison Jr CB Terrell Thomas Sr Starting Kickers Returning (1) P Greg Woidneck Jr Offensive Starters Lost (4) SE Dwayne Jarrett C Ryan Kalil RT Kyle Williams FL Steve Smith Defensive Starters Lost (1) SLB Dallas Sartz Starting Kickers Lost (1) PK Mario Danelo Six to Watch OT Sam Baker Sr NT Sedrick Ellis Sr QB John David Booty Sr WLB Keith Rivers Sr DE Lawrence Jackson Sr MLB Rey Maualuga Jr Offense: USC returns seven starters to an offensive unit that averaged 30.5 points per game last year. Directing the offense is All-Pac-10 QB John David Booty, who led the league in pass efficiency (144.0), passing yards (3,347) and TD passes (29) in his first year as a starter last season. He closed out the season by throwing for 391 yards and four TDs in the Trojans Rose Bowl victory against Michigan. Booty loses the stellar receiving duo of Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, so young receivers such as Vidal Hazelton and Patrick Turner must step up. Three starters return on the offensive line, led by All-America OT Sam Baker and OG Chilo Rachal. TE Fred Davis also returns. USC spread the wealth among a group of young tailbacks last year with TB Chauncey Washington getting the most carries. Defense: USC started five sophomores and a freshman on defense last year and the result for 2007 is an experienced defensive unit that returns 10 starters and rates among the nation s best. That s 10 starters returning to the unit that led the Pac-10 last year in scoring defense (15.2), total defense (295.8) and rushing defense (91.1). Sprinkled among the 10 returnees are six players who were named either first- or second-team All-Pac-10, plus Pac-10 Co-Freshman of the Year FS Taylor Mays, an emerging star. Up front, seniors NT Sedrick Ellis and DE Lawrence Jackson lead the way. DE/OLB Brian Cushing led the Trojans in tackles for loss last year and LBs Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers are honors candidates. The secondary returns intact led by Mays, CB Terrell Thomas and SS Kevin Ellison. The Schedule: USC has proved to be a good road team in recent years and the Trojans will need to be again this season. Road games are slated at Nebraska and Notre Dame out of league, and California and Oregon are among the stops in Conference play. The Trojans get four of their first six games at home, then reverse it with four of the final six on the road Pac-10 Football Preview 19

20 WASHINGTON HUSKIES Location: Seattle, WA Founded: 1861 Enrollment: 42,000 Nickname: Huskies Colors: Purple & Gold President: Dr. Mark Emmert Athletics Director: Todd Turner Football Coach: Tyrone Willingham Record at Washington: 7-16 (.304), 2 years Career Record: (.514) 12 years SID: Richard Kilwien ( /rkilwien@u.washington.edu) Asst. SIDs: Jeff Bechthold, Dan Lepse, Erin Rowley, Misty Tucci, Brian Beaky, Brian Tom Stadium: Husky Stadium (72,500 - FieldTurf) Offense: Multiple Defense: Schedule (7 home, 6 away) Aug. 31 at Syracuse Sep. 8 Boise State Sep. 15 Ohio State Sep. 22 at UCLA Sep. 29 USC Oct. 13 at Arizona State Oct. 20 Oregon Oct. 27 Arizona Nov. 3 at Stanford Nov. 10 at Oregon State Nov. 17 California Nov. 24 Washington State Dec. 1 at Hawai i 2006 Results (5-7, 3-6 in Pac-10, 9th) W San Jose State L at Oklahoma W Fresno State W UCLA W at Arizona L at USC L Oregon State L at California L Arizona State L at Oregon L 3-20 Stanford W at Washington State 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Louis Rankin Kenny James Isaiah Stanback PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Isaiah Stanback Carl Bonnell RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Sonny Shackelford Anthony Russo Cody Ellis Scoring: Michael Braunstein (62) Field Goals: Michael Braunstein (10-12) Punting: Sean Douglas (43.2) Kickoff Returns: Roy Lewis (18.8) Punt Returns: Marlon Wood (6.1) Interceptions: Scott White (4) Tackles: C.J. Wallace (105) Tackles For Loss: Greyson Gunheim (14) Quarterback Sacks: Greyson Gunheim (6) Pac-10 Football Preview

21 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN Returning Starters: 12 Starters Lost: 12 Offensive Starters Returning (6) LT Ben Ossai So C Juan Garcia Sr RT Chad Macklin Sr TE Michael Gottlieb Jr QB Carl Bonnell Sr WR Anthony Russo Sr Defensive Starters Returning (6) DE Daniel Te o-nesheim So DT Jordan Reffett Sr DT Wilson Afoa Sr DE Greyson Gunheim Sr OLB Dan Howell Sr CB Roy Lewis Sr Starting Kickers Returning (0) Offensive Starters Lost (5) WR Sonny Shackelford LG Stanley Daniels RG Clay Walker TB Kenny James FB Mark Palaita Defensive Starters Lost (5) OLB Scott White ILB Tahj Bomar FS Chris Hemphill SS C.J. Wallace CB Dashon Goldson Starting Kickers Lost (2) PK Michael Braunstein P Sean Douglas Six to Watch DE Greyson Gunheim Sr WR Anthony Russo Sr DE Daniel Te -o Nesheim So OLB Dan Howell Sr CB Roy Lewis Sr DT Wilson Afoa Sr Offense: The Huskies return the fewest offensive starters of any Pac-10 team with six returnees on hand for a unit that struggled after QB Isaiah Stanback went down with an injury in game seven. There are some tools as leading rusher TB Louis Rankin (666 yards) and veteran receiver Anthony Russo are back and three starters plus TE Michael Gottlieb return along the offensive line. Carl Bonnell took over the starting QB job after Stanback went down, but is coming off shoulder surgery, and touted redshirt freshman Jake Locker will be given every opportunity to win the starting job under center. Defense: The Huskies return six starters to a defensive unit that features experience up front. The defensive line returns intact and is a team strength for UW. The headliner is DE Greyson Gunheim, who has led the Huskies in tackles for loss and QB sacks each of the last two years. He is joined by fellow returnees DE Daniel Te o-nesheim and DTs Wilson Afoa and Jordan Reffett. OLB Dan Howell returns at linebacker and CB Roy Lewis is the lone returning starter in the secondary. The Schedule: It s a good year to have season tickets at Husky Stadium as Washington has a spectacular home schedule this season. Ohio State and Boise State hit Seattle as non-conference opponents, and Pac-10 foes playing beside Lake Washington include USC, Oregon, California and Washington State Pac-10 Football Preview 21

22 WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS Location: Pullman, WA Founded: 1890 Enrollment: 22,000 Nickname: Cougars Colors: Crimson & Gray President: V. Lane Rawlins Athletics Director: Jim Sterk Football Coach: Bill Doba Record at Washington State: (.532), 4 years Career Record: (.532), 4 years SID: Rod Commons ( /rodco@wsu.edu) Asst. SIDs: Bill Stevens, Linda Chalich, Craig Lawson, Amanda Piechowski Stadium: Martin Stadium (37,600 - Field Turf) Offense: Multiple Defense: Schedule (6 home, 6 away) Sep. 1 at Wisconsin Sep. 8 San Diego State (at Seattle) Sep. 15 Idaho Sep. 22 at USC Sep. 29 at Tucson Oct. 6 Arizona State Oct. 13 at Oregon Oct. 27 UCLA Nov. 3 at California Nov. 10 Stanford Nov. 18 Oregon State Nov. 24 at Washington 2006 Results (6-6, 4-5 in Pac-10, tie 5th) L at Auburn W Idaho W Baylor (at Seattle) W at Stanford L USC W 13-6 at Oregon State L 3-21 California W Oregon W at UCLA L Arizona L at Arizona State L Washington 2006 Statistical Leaders (returnees in bold face) RUSHING Att Yds Avg TD Dwight Tardy Derrell Hutsona DeMaundray Woolridge PASSING PA-PC-HI Pct Yds TD Alex Brink Gary Rogers RECEIVING No Yds Avg TD Michael Bumpus Brandon Gibson Jason Hill Cody Boyd Jed Collins Scoring: Loren Langley (44) Field Goals: Loren Langley (7-13) Punting: Darryl Blunt (41.4) Kickoff Returns: Charles Dillon (20.9) Punt Returns: Michael Bumpus (5.5) Interceptions: Eric Frampton (5) Tackles: Eric Frampton (100) Tackles For Loss: Mkristo Bruce (16) Quarterback Sacks: Mkristo Bruce (11) Pac-10 Football Preview