Cougars Have Key Positive

Since playing in the 1998 Rose Bowl game, Washington State has won only five games--and only one Pacific 10 Conference contest.

That one ought to get USC’s attention: A 31-7 victory over California, a team USC lost to, 17-7.

“They kicked Cal all over the place,” USC Coach Paul Hackett said. “And they had Arizona beat and lost on a Hail Mary.”

Washington State Coach Mike Price said injuries have been a factor for the Cougars, 2-7 overall and tied with USC and UCLA for last in the conference.

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Carson Palmer put on a football uniform for the first time since breaking his collarbone and ran some sprints Wednesday but did not throw while beginning his upper-body rehabilitation.

The key day in determining whether he has a chance to play against UCLA will be Sunday, when USC medical staff and Hackett will decide if his shoulder is responding well enough to allow him to begin throwing in earnest.

“We’ll make a decision Sunday. If he doesn’t [start throwing then], he’s out,” Hackett said. “It’s iffy, but I’m not going to shut the door till I have to.”

Palmer, who will travel with the team to Pullman, Wash., to continue his rehabilitation, was excited just to be active again.

“It feels good to be out here and do a couple of drills and stuff,” he said. “Today was the first day I could lift my arm above my head. It felt good. . . . I tried to do a couple of push-ups today. I was just dying.”