SportsLink

Youth will serve at WSU

Posted by Vince Grippi

Sept. 2, 2010 6:12 p.m. • 4 comments

COUGARS

The last Pullman practice prior to the Oklahoma State opener is over and the Cougars are ready to head out for Stillwater tomorrow morning. They’ll hold a walk through at OSU tomorrow evening, but for more on what they accomplished today and for a look at our story on the WSU freshmen, click here for my story. Also, you can read on below for some additional notes.

••••••••••

• Before we get to practice, we had some news to share. … Tight end Zach Tatman, who was injured last year as a fifth-year senior, was finally awarded a sixth year by the NCAA on Thursday, according to coach Paul Wulff. Tatman lost more than two years of eligibility to injuries since starting his college career in Oregon playing basketball. He’s No. 3 on the depth chart, but is on a couple of special teams. In case you are wondering, even without the approval of the NCAA, he was able to practice and has since camp began. … There doesn’t seem to be any new injuries, but Wulff said Tyson Pencer (groin) is questionable for Saturday and he expects Gino Simone (hamstring) to play. Toni Pole (calf) won’t be making the trip. … Looking over the list of freshmen that will be traveling to Stillwater, I realized there are 11 redshirt ones playing their first college game as well. With the none true freshmen, that’s 28.6 percent of the players making the trip. Add in the three junior college transfers and the number is 32.9 percent – nearly one-third of the 70 players making the flight. … Running back Carl Winston is making the trip but expect the sophomore to redshirt if possible. With freshman Rickey Galvin doing so well and two seniors among the top three running backs, Wulff has said they are going to try to give Winston the opportunity to get bigger and stronger, allowing him to be better prepared for next year when he might be needed more. … The three captains for this week are all seniors, running back Chantz Staden, punter Reid Forrest and defensive end Kevin Kooyman. …

•••••

• That’s all for tonight. We’ll be back in the morning with our usual post. Until then …

Four comments on this post so far. Add yours!

coug79 on September 03 at 7:37 a.m.
Hey Vince—I was a Com major at WSU, so you can pretty well guess that math isn’t my strong suit. That said, how do you get to your stat above with 28.6% of the travelling team being reshirt freshmen? The travelling team is 70 and you indicate 11 RS freshmen are making the trip. Hmmmm. Better check the batteries in your calculator. Or are you just checking to see if we’re paying attention?
Upthewazzu on September 03 at 8:18 a.m.
Coug79, I think Vince was referring to true freshman and redshirt freshman combined.
ECoug01 on September 03 at 10:15 a.m.
That is the weirdest ideas in the world to redshirting and playing true freshman. Galvin at 172 lbs I am sure doesn’t need a year to put on weight.. and you decided last year Winston needed to play when he really didnt have too.. It’s about like the decision to play Reitnour last year with Reed Lesuma (SR) sitting on the bench.. Then Reit. as a freshman got burned at AZ, which is understandable as a undersized freshman.. Reed then started the last few games because he played so well.. WHY DIDNT YOU TRY THAT FIRST!! before playing Reitnour.. Some strange decisions on redshirt decisions.
ECoug01 on September 03 at 10:15 a.m.
That is the weirdest ideas in the world to redshirting and playing true freshman. Galvin at 172 lbs I am sure doesn’t need a year to put on weight.. and you decided last year Winston needed to play when he really didnt have too.. It’s about like the decision to play Reitnour last year with Reed Lesuma (SR) sitting on the bench.. Then Reit. as a freshman got burned at AZ, which is understandable as a undersized freshman.. Reed then started the last few games because he played so well.. WHY DIDNT YOU TRY THAT FIRST!! before playing Reitnour.. Some strange decisions on redshirt decisions.