Originally published Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Cougars backup transfers to WWU

Washington State backup quarterback Cole Morgan is transferring to Western Washington in search of playing time. "I need to get the football...

By Craig Smith

Seattle Times staff reporter

Cougars forum

Washington State backup quarterback Cole Morgan is transferring to Western Washington in search of playing time.

"I need to get the football out of me before it's too late," said Morgan, who led Ballard High School to the 2003 Class 4A state-championship game won by Pasco.

Morgan, who delayed enrolling at WSU until 2005, appeared in one game for the Cougars, against Idaho in 2006 as a redshirt freshman. It was a brief appearance because Kevin McCall promptly scored on a 53-yard run for the final touchdown in a 56-10 romp.

Morgan was the Cougars' third-string quarterback most of last season as a sophomore. With Gary Rogers slated to be the starter this fall, Kevin Lopina and Marshall Lobbestael appeared likely to get the backup playing time.

"I'm healthy and raring to go," said Morgan, who will be a junior and is expected to challenge senior Adam Perry of Longview for the starting job at Western. Morgan can play immediately for the Vikings because he is transferring from an NCAA Division I school to a Division II institution.

One of Morgan's Ballard teammates might soon have a new school. Keauntea Bankhead, an all-state defensive back and the 2003 Seattle Times prep player of the year, has earned his junior-college diploma at Arizona Western College. The former Washington recruit is now eligible to play for a four-year university. He recently visited I-AA Illinois State.

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