Washington State has open competition at quarterback

Washington State football coach Mike Leach faces a unique problem as he enters his seventh season with the Cougars.

After the tragic death of presumptive starter Tyler Hilinski, the team for the first time in his tenure does not have a clear favorite to run the Air Raid offense.

Three of the candidates have never thrown a pass in a game for Washington State. The fourth is a graduate transfer from East Carolina who just arrived on campus.

They will compete for the starting job as training camp opened Friday.

All four quarterbacks are seeking to replace record-setter Luke Falk, who graduated after leading the Cougars to three straight bowl games.

Leach would like to name a starter about 10 days before the Sept. 1 opener at Wyoming.