Ernie Kent will start tonight's game on Idaho's bench

Last September, Ernie Kent did something unexpected: He agreed to become the head coach of the Idaho Vandals... For one play.

Kent paid $2000 in a Coaches vs. Cancer auction to coach Idaho for a day in a special cancer awareness game. That game just so happened to be the matchup against Washington State.

"For $2,000, December 7th, in Pullman, I want to be at shootaround, sit on your bench, and that first play, I will guarantee you Josh Hawkinson will get a dunk," Kent told Verlin after winning the auction.

The Cougs will face the Vandals tonight for the 111th consecutive season and we'll get to see exactly what the teams have on tap for the promotion tonight at 7 o'clock. Always the promoter, Ernie Kent left fans in suspense as to what exactly will happen tonight at Beasley. "We'll do something right before the jump ball of the game and leave it at that. Exactly what that is... People need to come to the game and find that one out."

The Cougars are hoping to avoid falling to the Vandals for a third straight season, but tonight, it's about something more. Both head coaches lost their fathers to cancer and it's obviously a cause very near and dear to their hearts.

Tipoff is set for 7 o'clock from Pullman with TV coverage on the Pac-12 Network.

Basketball

WSU’s Ernie Kent will begin game on the Idaho bench | The Spokesman-Review
Beasley Coliseum is likely to hold what can reasonably be called a “crowd” for the first time this season on Wednesday.

Palouse foes plan a bit of fun to start off matchup | Sports | lmtribune.com
PULLMAN - By all appearances, Washington State coach Ernie Kent doesn't plan to spend the whole evening on Idaho's bench.

Football

WSU OG Cody O’Connell named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Focus | The Seattle Times
WSU’s Cody O'Connell, who’s also up for the Outland Trophy, has been named to the Pro Football Focus All-America first team

Leach, Petersen both rank Huskies second | University Of Washington | union-bulletin.com
Well, Apple Cup rivals Chris Petersen and Mike Leach can apparently agree on something.

Former WSU Lineman Enters College Football Hall of Fame With No Regrets « CBS Seattle
A football injury 25 years ago left Mike Utley paralyzed. The former Washington State and Detroit Lions offensive lineman played before concussion protocol, targeting fouls and rule tweaks intended to make a violent game safer.