ROSE BOWL: WASHINGTON STATE NOTEBOOK: SMITH ADJUSTS TO TOUGH D-I.

Byline: Robert Morales Staff Writer

When Jonathan Smith rushed for five touchdowns in his first two games with Washington State, it was not surprising.

Smith was coming off a record-setting season at Pasadena City College.

In one game against Cerritos in 2001, Smith gained 515 all-purpose yards, breaking the national record of 506 set by the New York Giants' Jason Sehorn, who did it for Shasta College in 1991. He rushed for 353 yards and six touchdowns on 34 carries.

Smith set single-season school records for most rushing yards (2,049), most all-purpose yards (2,863), most touchdowns (31) and points (186) and most 100-yard rushing games (9).

His 9.2 yards-per-carry average is a state record for those with 150 or more carries. Smith also led the Lancers in receptions with 46 for 553 yards. Ultimately, he was selected first-team All-America.

But that was junior college. And Smith's five touchdowns in the Cougars' first two games this year came against Nevada and Idaho State. As a backup, he ran for 50 yards on nine carries against Nevada, and 121 yards on 12 carries against Idaho.

A bright beginning, to be sure. But Smith since has no rushing touchdowns, though he did catch two short touchdown passes Oct. 12 against Stanford.

``The game here is a lot faster than in junior college,'' Smith said after practice Tuesday at the Coliseum, where Washington State (10-2) was preparing for its showdown Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl against Oklahoma (11-2).

``And I knew coming in I was going to have to compete,'' he added. ``There was a back that was already here and he (coach Mike Price) brought in two other backs.''

Smith has carried the ball just 70 times for 282 yards this season. He has caught 15 passes for 176 yards.

Certainly, these are not the numbers he or his coaches would have hoped for. But outgoing coach Price and incoming coach Bill Doba said Smith has a world of talent, and might get the chance next year to show more of it.

``Well, I think he does,'' Doba said, when asked if Smith had a chance to start next season. He is without a start this season. ``I think that is going to be open. He had some injuries, and (Jermaine) Green was healthy.

``When he wasn't healthy, Jonathan played more. The two of them are really tough, quality backs.''

Green, also a junior, like Smith came in as a junior-college transfer. Green leads the Cougars with 784 yards rushing with nine touchdowns.

Doba was asked if Smith's size was a factor in him not winning the starting position. Smith is 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. Green is 5-11, 221 pounds.

``Size doesn't really matter,'' Doba said. ``I mean, it helps, don't get me wrong. But speed and strength are more important than size.''

Price, who is headed to Alabama, won't have a say in what Smith does next season, but he expects Smith to be a major player for the Cougars.

``He's had some ups and downs,'' Price said. ``He's had some good games, and some not-so-good games. Next year he will have a great year. He can play in this league.''

--Last stand: Price said he is looking forward to his last stand with the Cougars. He said he thrives on the decision-making required by the man in charge.

``We have 25 seconds to make a decision on the sideline,'' Price said, ``and I'm used to doing that. Should we go for it here, fourth-and-1? Should we punt? Should we kick a field goal? Should we not kick a field goal?

``Should we throw here? Should we run here? I'm experienced making those kinds of decisions, and I'm going to continue to do that someplace else.''

--Five first-teamers: Five WSU players are on the Pacific-10 Conference's first team: quarterback Jason Gesser, offensive linemen Derrick Roche and Calvin Armstrong, defensive lineman Rien Long and cornerback Marcus Trufant.