Cougars will start freshman at QB against the No. 16 Ducks, loud crowd at Autzen

Washington St. freshman QB to face No. 16 Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. — Even the No. 16 Oregon Ducks have sympathy for Washington State freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel, who is making his first start Saturday at notoriously loud Autzen Stadium.

The Ducks (3-1, 1-0 Pac-10) anticipate another noisy sellout Saturday when the Cougars (1-3, 0-2) visit.

“Well, he is coming to Autzen so it’s going to be hectic for him,” linebacker Spencer Paysinger said.

Washington State coach Paul Wulff announced earlier this week that Tuel would start in place of Marshall Lobbestael, who has been hampered by a sore knee.

Tuel was expected to redshirt this season but spelled Lobbestael last weekend at Southern California. He came in during the second quarter and completed 14 of 22 passes for 130 yards and one interception. He also ran nine times for 34 yards in the 27-6 loss to the Trojans.

Wulff said he believes that Tuel gives the Cougars their best chance against the Ducks, given Lobbestael’s limited mobility.

And he believes that Tuel is up to it.

“They’ve got us at their home and have the opportunity to get after him and we expect it’s going to be a hell of a challenge for an 18-year-old,” he said.

There’s not doubt he’ll be challenged some by the crowd. After Oregon’s 42-3 upset victory over California, Golden Bears left tackle Mike Tepper noted it.

“It was really loud. It was twice as loud as the crowd at Minnesota. I couldn’t hear Kevin (Riley) and I couldn’t hear the snap counts,” Tepper said.

To acclimate themselves to the din, the Cougars practiced this week with crowd noise piped into Martin Stadium.

Tuel will be key to Washington State’s game plan, which is basic.

“We’ve got to start faster on offense,” Wulff said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to score some points early.”

Oregon, meanwhile, is coming off a breakout victory against Cal.

On offense, Jeremiah Masoli threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns — his first TD passes of the season. Tight end Ed Dickson caught all three of those scores, earning Pac-10 offensive player of the week honors.

Redshirt freshman LaMichael James, who is taking over for suspended running back LeGarrette Blount, ran for 118 yards and a score.

The Bears averaged 488 yards in total offense going into the game and left with 207 yards against Oregon’s defense. Cal also never reached Oregon’s 20-yard line.

But drama again surrounded the Ducks going into Saturday’s game.

First-year coach Chip Kelly announced Friday that Blount’s suspension for punching a Boise State player could be lifted if he meets certain requirements that are academic, behavior and football-related.

Blount knocked Byron Hout to his knees in the aftermath of Oregon’s 19-8 loss to the Broncos on Sept. 3. The next day he was suspended for the season but was allowed to stay on scholarship and practice with the team.

The earliest Blount could return, should he meet Kelly’s requirements, is Oregon’s Nov. 7 game at Stanford. The Pac-10 must also ultimately approve his reinstatement.