Season on the Brink

BACK IN MARCH, when asked to assess the future of the position for which WSU earned the “Quarterback U” nickname, Mike Levenseller had kind words to say about each of his signal callers. Levenseller prefaced his commentary about Alex Brink by talking about a recurring dream. In it, Levenseller says, Brink returns home to the Willamette Valley as WSU’s starting QB and leads the Cougars to a glorious victory.

Come Saturday, we’ll find out if Levenseller is both offensive coordinator and modern-day Nostradamus. With the news Monday that starting quarterback Josh Swogger is lost for the season with a broken bone in his right foot, WSU’s precarious bowl-game hopes fall squarely on the shoulders of Brink, a second-year freshman who has thrown all of 25 career collegiate passes.

He’ll be making his first-ever start when the 3-3 Cougars battle 2-4 Oregon State.

Truth be told, Levenseller’s dream featured Brink at the helm in Autzen Stadium against the Ducks. But given the fact Corvallis is just 45 miles north of Brink's hometown, Eugene, we’re giving Levy’s crystal ball a gimme.

As a senior at Sheldon High, Brink was named league and state offensive player of the year. He led his club to the state 4A championship game as a junior and concluded his high school career with more passing yards than any QB in Oregon history (9,262) and the second-most passing TDs (92).

With a solid arm and more mobility than Swogger, he made a serious run for the starting job during spring workouts. Most of his action this season came against Colorado, when he flashed moments of excellence and youthful inexperience.

"Josh is a tough kid and it's an unfortunate injury," said Doba. "We are going to miss him not only for what he does for us on the field, but his leadership and presence, as well. Alex Brink will do a good job for us though. Gary Rogers will be the backup and for now we are keeping him on red alert."

Rogers is a true freshman. All season he’s been in the same position Brink was in a year ago -- third string and hoping injuries won't force his redshirt to be burned.

Rogers threw for more than 3,000 yards at Kamiak High over his last two seasons, and was widely rated one of the top 30 prep QB prospects in the nation last year. He's got a great arm and a Bledsoe-esque frame (6-5, 225).

Behind Rogers, the Cougars have Travis Elisara, son of early 1980s Cougar standout tackle Matt Elisara. He walked on at New Mexico a year ago and enrolled at WSU this year planning to focus solely on academics. When walk on Mike Reilly left the team, he was invited on to be the Cougars’ scout team QB.

Junior punter Kyle Basler also could be in the picture. He was an all-state quarterback at Elma High, and mentioned early this season by Doba as a possible emergency backup at QB.

Josh Swogger battled through injuries all year

Tests Sunday revealed Swogger had a broken navicular bone, according to Bill Drake, assistant athletic director for athletic training services. WSU's medical personnel believe the injury may have started as a stress fracture and developed into a full fracture within the last week.

"We need to finish strong and get to a bowl game," Swogger said Monday. "It's disappointing but I'm going to help out in anyway I can to make sure this season is successful. That probably means being a cheerleader and a coach for the rest of the season. In January, I will be back and start my rehab and start getting ready for next year."

The Cougar quarterback's list of injuries this year included his right knee (posterior cruciate ligament), left shoulder (rotator cuff strain) and left ankle (contusion). Sunday an x-ray revealed the broken navicular bone, a bone in his foot.

Brink, who redshirted last fall, has completed 13 of 25 passes for 278 yards and one touchdown. He has thrown one interception.

"I feel bad for Josh and what he has to go through in the upcoming months," offered Brink. "This isn't the way you picture coming in as the starter. I hope I can help get us on track and go out and get some wins."

Drake says surgery is planned Friday and the normal recovery period would be three to six months, which would leave him questionable for spring practice. Drake also said an MRI is scheduled Tuesday and team physicians hope it will help understand the history of the injury.