WSU and the Magic of a Jr. Quarterback Campaign

Looking back at WSU it is easy to see why it has been dubbed as QBU at times.  We have a history of some pretty talented QB's.  The equation has usually resulted in the Cougs winning when they have a veteran signal caller at the helm.  Outside of Alex Brink, the Cougar statistical leader, the pattern seems to explode when when the signal callers hit their junior season.

I will only explore some of our recent history but I am in no ways downplaying the accomplishments of Thompson, Rypien, Rosenbach, etc.  However, I have a very fond memory of being in Section 26 when Ryan Leaf took on the ASU Sun Devils in Martin Stadium when he was a sophomore.  I was watching the game with one of my good friends and anyone who was there would have thought the two of us obviously found some booze pregame.  I was a frosh in Highschool but I knew Ryan Leaf was something I hadn't seen in a while.  The result was Leaf leading us to an amazing season in 1998. 

Fast forward to the Cougs playing Idaho when Gesser was a freshman and I saw the same type of spark.  I remember sitting outside of the SAE house in 2000 debating how good the Cougs were going to be the following year.  The response was that I was drunk if I thought the Cougs were going to go to a major bowl.  The result was Gesser leading us to a 10 win season in his Junior Campaign and following that up with a Heisman run and the Rose Bowl in 2002. 

So why do I think we have a realistic shot at another special season this year?  Jeff Tuel is entering his junior campaign and bringing a WR's corps that could be one of the best to play at WSU.  It isn't just Tuel's junior year that has me optimistic.  I had the opportunity to watch Tuel in in his first practices as a Coug.  Something about him stood out and it was obvious he was going to become a man amongst boys.  Well here we are jumping into his Junior season and the stars are beginning to align once again.  Hopefully, the magic of our past takes hold for Jeff Tuel and we will all witness the emergence of Cougar Football once again!