Former Sehome standout Ayers likely to get starting nod in Cougars' opener

Even if he doesn't start, Ayers, who won individual high school state titles in wrestling and track and field for the Mariners, figures to see substantial playing time in Saturday's game.

"It's a back injury, and those can be tough," Ayers said. "I've got to be ready to play either way. (Lesuma) may not be able to play every down."

Ayers said the prospects of seeing extended time and possibly making his first start have given him a mixture of emotions.

"It's humbling, really," he said. "It's a little nerve-wracking. But I'm sure I'm going to be excited when game day comes.

"But most importantly, this game means a lot to my teammates, and I don't want to let those guys down. I just want to do well so my team can do well."

When Ayers is on the field, he'll be charged with protecting the blind side of senior quarterback Gary Rogers, who also is expected to make his first start in Saturday's game.

The Cougars, who finished 5-7 last year and are seeking their first winning season since 2003, will be facing a Cowboys team that beat Indiana in the Jan. 1 Insight Bowl to wrap up the 2007 season with a 7-6 record.

"We just watched game film (Sunday), and we'll start putting in a game plan," Ayers said. "But they're definitely a good team. They're very athletic and good on defense. We're going to have to execute and be efficient on both sides to get the win. I think we have the talent, and if we play our best we can win."

If Ayers does get to start Saturday, it will be the latest event in what has been an up-and-down summer for him.

Ayers' first season at Pullman came to a close in October, when he had shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.

After recovery took him six weeks, Ayers said he was just starting to feel better during summer workouts when he tweaked the shoulder again.

He again recovered from the injury, but shortly after he did he came down with an illness he said doctors were not able to diagnose.

"I'm OK now, but it's definitely been an interesting summer," Ayers said. "To go from being injured to getting better, and then getting sick and getting better again, and now possibly starting - it's been a crazy summer. It's been a hard summer."

Add in working with a new coaching staff after the exit of Bill Doba and the hiring of new head coach Paul Wulff, and that only adds to the craziness for Ayers and his teammates.

"The transition has been interesting," Ayers said. "It's definitely a shift. The new coaches have brought in some new philosophies and new expectations.

"The thing I've learned the most is that it's not so much about the coaching staff as it is the players. Like I said, I don't want to go out Saturday and (play well) for our coaches - I don't want to let my teammates down."

That, more than anything, explains where the nervousness of potentially making his first start is coming from for Ayers.

"I'd be lying if I said I'm not nervous," Ayers said. "But I've got to find a way to get over it. I got enough experience in high schools at different levels to know how to get over the nerves. I know what I need to say and what I need to do. Now I just need to go out and do it."