Gino Simone could have gone to Oregon State and been part of a bowl season as a freshman this year.

Simone, a wide receiver out of Sammamish, Wash., was heavily recruited by the Beavers and Washington State along with Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA, Washington and Boise State.

His decision came down to WSU and OSU and he decided to sign with the Cougars. He said WSU felt like home and he had high hopes for the program despite the current tough times.

"I really believe in what the coaching staff is doing here," Simone said. "Ultimately I came here because I wanted be part of that resurgence."

Simone has developed quickly under receivers coach Mike Levenseller and is tied with Jared Karstetter for the team lead in receptions with 28. Simone had eight catches for 83 yards against Southern California.

Simone probably would have been watching from the sidelines as a redshirt if he had chosen OSU.

The Cougars, however, have started 13 freshmen this season in part due to a rash of injuries. Simone is one of five true freshmen to start.

WSU is expected to start three, possible four, freshmen on Saturday against Oregon State. Four sophomores will start and a fifth, Marshall Lobbestael, could start at quarterback.

The team has struggled to a 1-9 record this year, those younger players are gaining much-needed experience that will be key for a push toward a turnaround in the future.

"I think just the overall experience of it all will be so beneficial in the next few years here," Simone said. "I think we'll be a lot better for it. The experience is huge to get this going. I think we'll be a much improved team and that's what I came here to be a part of."

Freshman defensive end Travis Long has been starting for the Cougars and said getting out in the games is an invaluable experience for a player.

He said it will definitely help the Cougars to have so many seasoned players on the roster for seasons to come.

"I think it will because we're all going to have game-time experience," Long said. "It just makes a big diff getting in game time instead of just practice time. I think in the end it's going to help us."

It hasn't been easy for the young Cougars. The team is wallowing at the bottom of nearly every statistical category in the Pacific-10 Conference.

The Cougars have lost games by scores of 39-13, 38-20, 52-6, 49-17, 40-14, 48-7 and 43-7.

Long said the tough season will make the players more resilient.

"When you go through tough times you get closer as a team," he said. "In the end I think it's going to help us out knowing that we can get through things like this."

Sophomore left tackle Steven Ayers played quite a bit as a freshman last season and went through a similar scenario to that of what Long and Simone have been dealing with.

Ayers said this season has been a learning experience for the younger players.

They've had an opportunity to not only get on the field but to see how different players handle themselves through the adversity.

It gives the freshmen a chance to develop character and become leaders early in their careers.

"You learn about yourself," Ayers said. "Last year I learned a ton about myself. The kind of character development that happens in a year is immense when you're struggling. You never wish a year like this on anyone, but sometimes it makes for a better team and a stronger team."

Ayers said staying positive is important despite the tough times.

"Especially this time of the year," he said. "No bowl game. We want to send seniors off and we want to beat the Huskies. We have two games left. We're going to challenge ourselves with the immediate but at the same time we're looking to the future."