(U-WIRE) PULLMAN, Wash. - Chris Hurd is afraid of very little.

He’s the X-factor this week as No. 16 Washington State begins Pac-10 play on the road against California.

Because it’s Hurd, a redshirt freshman who has thrown all of seven passes in his college career, who could possibly see his playing time increase exponentially should starting quarterback Jason Gesser or his backup, Matt Kegel, miss Saturday’s game.

Gesser suffered a dislocated rib during Saturday’s 45-28 win against Montana State. Kegel suffered a bruised knee the same game.

Tuesday in practice, it was Hurd who took the majority of the snaps in practice, as Gesser and Kegel threw sparingly.

“I’m excited about the challenge,” Hurd said. “The difference between getting reps and mental reps is different. But one thing coach always emphasizes is mental reps and that the third string guy prepare as a starter.”

WSU coach Mike Price has held off on naming starter, but said Tuesday that Gesser and Kegel would play Saturday if their progress did not regress.

“I just get in and watch as much film as I can and try to pick up the offense as much as I can. I’ve been preparing myself well. Hopefully I can come out and play well. Who knows what Jason’s condition is?”

Price isn’t exactly thrilled about his quarterback situation, but it seems he feels more comfortable with the situation than he did Sunday.

“I feel we’re gong to prepare like Chris Hurd is the starter,” Price said. “But I won’t name a starter. I’m going to let Jeff (Tedford) sweat that one out.”

Injury Update: Price said that linebackers Will Derting and Don Jackson still are questionable for this weekend.

Both are nursing high ankle sprains and wore protective boots Tuesday. Neither practiced.
Wide receiver Jerome Riley is questionable for Saturday. He has a lingering hamstring pull.
Wide receivers Trandon Harvey and Curtis Nettles both returned from PCL injuries in their knees. The duo is probable for this weekend.

Running back Allen Thompson, sidelined since fall two-a-days with an ankle sprain, returned to practice this weekend.

Running back Jonathan Smith, out last week with an ankle sprain, was back in pads Tuesday. Price said he is questionable.

Kegel and Gesser did some light throwing and did not participate in goal-line situations.

Deja Vu: Price said that California resembles two common opponents.

“Offensively, they resemble Oregon and defensively they resemble last year’s Boise State team,” Price said.

New coach Jeff Tedford was the longtime offensive coordinator at Oregon, before taking the head job at Berkeley this offseason.

Price said Tedford’s schemes are similar to what Oregon used.

As for Boise State, defensive coordinator Bob Gregory held the same position at Boise State last season.

“We’ll probably use a lot the same sets we did last year,” Price said. “We’ve been looking at that tape a lot.”

WSU beat the Broncos in Boise 41-20, racking up 490 yards of total offense.

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