ROSE BOWL REPORT

Michigan’s multitalented Charles Woodson awaits Washington State two days from now--and the Cougars have had their dark moments on return coverage this season.

USC’s R. Jay Soward returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown against the Cougars, and Stanford’s Troy Walters returned a punt 77 yards for a score.

“That’s a real big key,” Price said. “Woodson on the punt returns--we don’t want him to get one. I’d be very perturbed if we give one up. That’s very big, the play of the special teams.”

Woodson’s big splash this season came against Ohio State. In a spectacular game that more than any other won him the Heisman Trophy, he had two interceptions, a 37-yard catch and returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown.

“I don’t think we’ll punt away from him, but we’ll punt as high as we can and try to get good coverage,” Price said. “And, in certain situations, you might punt it out of bounds.”

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The Price family is definitely a coaching family.

Price’s father, Walt, was a coach at Everett (Wash.) Junior College; his son, Aaron, is a graduate assistant with the Cougars; and another son, Eric, coached at Northern Arizona this season.

Price remembers as a boy that his father would often bring players home for dinner.

“Mom always had an extra place set for a player, and Dad would lend them a few bucks when they needed it. You can’t do that now [because of NCAA rules],” Price said.

As Price has matured, former players of his father tell him he looks more and more like his dad. Price doesn’t argue.

“Sometimes I look in the mirror and go, ‘Walt?’ ”

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Should No. 8 Washington State upset the Wolverines, Price will have his 100th victory.

Price is 53-48 in nine seasons at Washington State and was 46-44 in eight seasons at Weber State for an overall record of 99-92.