ASSOCIATED PRESS Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser, wearing a custom-molded brace on his right ankle, led the team in stretching drills before practice in an indoor practice facility in Pullman, Wash., yesterday. Cougars coach Mike Price said it is still not known whether Gesser, who was picked as co-Pac-10 offensive player of the year, can play against UCLA on Saturday.

Gesser 50-50 for
Saturday’s game

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Star-Bulletin wire services

LOS ANGELES >> The Rose Bowl hopes of Washington State are as tender as star quarterback Jason Gesser's sprained ankle. The condition of both won't be known until Saturday.

While it's looking more like Gesser will try to play against UCLA -- a game the seventh-ranked Cougars must win to get back to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 -- Washington State coach Mike Price listed him as 50-50. He won't announce a decision until game time.

Gesser, the St. Louis alumnus who was on crutches on the sideline against Washington, watched a 10-point lead disappear and the Cougars lose in triple overtime after he was hurt. He's received treatment every day since and is expected to return to practice today, where he'll split reps with backup Matt Kegel.

Gesser, who owns virtually all of Washington State's career passing records, is also the winningest starting quarterback in school history. He's led the Cougars to a 19-4 record the past two seasons.

"I feel very good about the quarterback situation," Price told the Los Angeles Daily News. "As good as you possibly can with a player of the year in the conference not being ready to go. (Gesser) is an inspirational player, he's really great in the huddle."

Gesser, who passed for 431 yards against California one week after suffering badly bruised ribs, has made a habit through his career of playing hurt. If he does play, the injury will probably limit his scrambling ability.

"Knowing him, I think he'll try to play," UCLA coach Bob Toledo said. "He's a fun-loving kid, a great athlete and fierce competitor. If there's any way possible he'll play. How effective, how well he plays, I don't know."

Price said Gesser has been fitted with a special brace molded into his shoe that will allow the lower leg to be wrapped for some mobility.

"He's real good. I talked to him today. He said he was feeling great," Price told the Associated Press. "Jason will take snaps and throw in practice today."

Gesser said he hopes to be able to play, but would practice gingerly so as not to exacerbate his sore leg.

"I'm just going to throw the ball and see how it feels. See if I can transfer my weight," he said. "I don't want to strain it on Tuesday by trying to hand the ball off."

Gesser said he feels he will be able to play.

"I think so. I told you guys I was going to play two weeks ago," he said. "I feel the same way. I've got to go out there and show the coaches I can play and be productive."

Kegel has had most of the snaps with the first-team offense in practices since the Thanksgiving break ended.

Washington State faced a similar situation in 2000, when Gesser broke his right leg in the ninth game of the season against Oregon. Kegel started the next two games, leading WSU to a 33-27 victory over Southern California before suffering a 51-3 loss to Washington.

Price said the Cougars plan to practice some plays from the shotgun to accommodate Gesser's limited mobility.

"I'll do whatever it takes to play," Gesser said. "I don't know what I can do with this type of injury."