Sunday, Apr. 13, 2008

Cougars are hit in final spring workout

By Howie Stalwick, Special to the Herald

PULLMAN -- Washington State's football coaches threw a changeup at their players Saturday, and the Cougars responded by hitting a home run.

The injury-hampered Cougars scrapped plans for a non-contact practice at the last minute, and the result was a crisp, 75-minute scrimmage to wrap up a month of spring workouts. An estimated 1,000 spectators enjoyed the action and the sunshine at Martin Stadium.

"We did a nice job today in terms of getting quality reps in," new Cougar coach Paul Wulff said. "Probably a little better than we anticipated. I'm very encouraged by that."

Several projected starters and top reserves saw little or no action at Martin Stadium, making it difficult to project how players might fare in the fall. For example, the leading rusher was Jace Perry (42 yards on three carries), a walk-on from Camas who is not listed as one of WSU's top six running backs.

New starting quarterback Gary Rogers showed off his powerful arm, and Kevin Lopina solidified his role as the No. 2 QB. Rogers went 12 for 19 for 126 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Lopina completed 10 of 15 passes for 154 yards, no TDs and no interceptions, and he ran for a score.

"I'm confident," said Rogers, a fifth-year senior out of Mukilteo. "I'm trying to get better every day. I know I'm the leader of the team. I'm the guy."

Junior wide receiver Michael Willis, a converted defensive back who was academically ineligible last season, led everyone with six catches for 129 yards. Included was a nice 13-yard touchdown grab.

The Cougars are still looking for a replacement for graduated kicker Romeen Abdollmohammadi. Junior college transfer Patrick Rooney was named the No. 1 kicker earlier in the week, but he kicked several low and/or blocked kicks Saturday.

Sophomore Wade Penner (last year's kickoff specialist) booted a couple 50-yard field goals Saturday, prompting Wulff to declare the place-kicking job is up for grabs again. Wulff plans to bring in a JC kicker in the fall.

Wulff remains concerned about WSU's depth and skill at several spots. The coach said he was pleased with the progress of a team that is learning a new offense (a no-huddle, spread scheme) and switching back to a 4-3 base defense after going to a 3-4 look midway through last season.

"We got more consistent on defense (this spring)," Wulff said. "I was very pleased with that.

"Offensively, there were signs of doing some really good things. We never really completely put it together. That might have to do just with the inconsistency of who was out there."

The Cougars, 5-7 last year, open the 2008 season versus Oklahoma State on Aug. 30 at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Extra points: Wulff, wary of exposing Pac-10 receiving leader Brandon Gibson to injury, limited the senior wideout to a cameo appearance. "He had a phenomenal spring," Wulff said. ... Wulff said he remains confident that two-time WSU rushing leader Dwight Tardy will be fully recovered from knee surgery by the season opener. Tardy sat out spring ball. No. 2 running back Chris Ivory pulled his left hamstring Saturday. Ivory said it's nothing serious. Wulff said Ivory and Willis have made significant progress academically, but starting cornerback Devin Giles remains a question mark. Giles skipped spring ball to work on his grades. ... Redshirt freshman Joe Campbell, a 163-pound walk-on from Tri-Cities Prep, was WSU's only healthy running back at times this spring.