Four days after dislocating a rib, Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser directed the team during parts of Wednesday's practice and displayed some arm strength by throwing deep on one play.

Gesser suffered the rib injury Saturday in the third quarter of the Cougars' 45-28 victory over Montana State. His playing status has been considered "questionable" for the Pacific-10 opener at California on Saturday, but his showing Wednesday appears to increase the likelihood he will play.

Backup quarterback Matt Kegel, who has an injured knee, also practiced Wednesday for the Cougars (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 16 AP).

Most of the snaps were taken by second-year freshman Chris Hurd.

That was no surprise because coach Mike Price has said the inexperienced Hurd needs the most practice to get ready for the game in case he is needed.

Hurd used to play football in Strawberry Canyon, which surrounds the Cal campus, when he was a 5-year-old and his father, Mike Hurd, was an assistant track coach at the university.

He may start, or it could be Kegel.

"We're not skipping a beat,'' Price said, "no matter who is quarterback.''

Gesser is expected to play, but in what capacity is unknown, as the Cougars try for their fourth straight victory over the Bears and sixth in seven years. The teams also faced each other to open conference play in 2001.

"He's really inspiring,'' Price said of Gesser. "He's going to play no matter what, as long as he's not going to make it worse. If it's pain, he's playing.''

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.