The upside of a lockout
A GRIP ON SPORTS Today was supposed to be the first day of the National Hockey League season. But instead of arenas all over the North America prepped with bunting and brightly colored ice, they sit empty. Read on.
THURSDAY, OCT. 11, 2012
Grinding into Thursday 4
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- Another Thursday means WSU's final practice of the week before taking on California. After that? A bye week. But there is no rest yet. Not for the Cougars, and not for us. Read on.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 10, 2012
Breske talks Cal, other WSU notes 5
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- It was another chippy practice for Washington State, though nothing else was out of the ordinary. We spoke with defensive coordinator Mike Breske afterward about preparing for California, so read on.
Former Chiefs on the move thanks to NHL Lockout
I got the chance to chat with former Spokane Chiefs and current Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock while he was at the Chiefs game on Saturday, and below you'll find an unedited version of the story that followed. The Chiefs (4-1-0-0) are back in…
Ken Bone previews WSU season 1
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- Ken Bone met with reporters this afternoon to preview the beginning of WSU basketball practice, which starts Friday. Here's a transcript of his comments.
Pac-12 pick 'em, week 7 7
As usual, give me a straight-up prediction and a pick against the spread. Arizona State at Colorado (Thursday), ASU by 23 Utah at UCLA, UCLA by 8 Stanford at Notre Dame, Notre Dame by 7.5 Oregon State at BYU, BYU by 6 Southern California at…
Big week for the Eagles
A GRIP ON SPORTS It's Big-Game Week in Cheney, but I guess when you are ranked sixth in the nation, just about every week is Big-Game Week. Even if the game is on the road. Read on.
EWU and Big Sky football links
It doesn't get any bigger than this in the regular season: sixth-ranked Eastern at No. 2 Montana State. But to win the big ones, you have to sweat the small stuff, the Eastern players and coaches said Tuesday. ...We'll see what MSU coach Ash says…
Live chat, and Wednesday links from WSU 5
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- A little later on today, we'll be in attendance at Ken Bone's press conference to preview the beginning of practice. Then we'll take our usual perch atop the library to watch the football team practice. But right now, it's time to…
TUESDAY, OCT. 9, 2012
WAC adds two schools; Idaho AD comments
The Western Athletic Conference, shifting its focus away from football for at least the next year, will add Utah Valley University and CSU Bakersfield in July 2013. With the two additions, the WAC will have six schools in 2013-14 -- that is, if Idaho doesn't…
Up-and-down practice for WSU
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- Washington State practiced "stellar" in portions on Tuesday, according to coach Mike Leach. And other times, the Cougars weren't good enough. Read on.
Mike Leach on Pac-12 coaches call 4
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- It's Tuesday (breaking news, I know), which means coach Mike Leach made his weekly appearance on the Pac-12 coaches call. Here's a recap of his comments.
A simple Tuesday
A GRIP ON SPORTS I'm going to keep it simple today. There is a reason and, if your want to know what it is, read on.
Another full Tuesday from WSU 10
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- From Mike Leach's harsh words for his players to a quarterback decision, we have plenty to pass along from yesterday. And there is plenty more to do today with the Pac-12 coaches call and WSU returning to practice. Read on.
MONDAY, OCT. 8, 2012
WSU depth chart notes and Mike Leach quotes 5
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- As is customary on Mondays, WSU coach Mike Leach met with reporters for about 19 minutes to discuss last week's game, this week's game, bobblehead dolls and players with "empty corpse" qualities about them. Read on for a transcript, video and…
Some key prep games this week 4
Things are definitely getting interesting in several Eastern Washington and North Idaho football leagues. In the Greater Spokane League, Central Valley (5-1) faces Mead (5-1) on Thursday. In key games Friday, Mt. Spokane (1-5) is at University (2-4); Shadle Park (2-4) goes against North Cenral…
Vandals suspend Barone
Kyle Barone, Idaho's top returning player, has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules, coach Don Verlin announced today. We've got the details below.
Idaho K Farquhar honored by WAC
Idaho kicker Trey Farquhar, who was 4-for-4 on field goals last week, was named the WAC special teams player of the week today. The senior from Redlands, Calif., is perfect on the year at home on field goals and 10-of-11 overall. In 2011, he was…
Getting hooked again brings second thoughts 1
A GRIP ON SPORTS A few years ago I quit watching the NFL on television. Not because I didn't like football, I did. But the games would frustrate me so. So, instead of getting upset, I turned the TV off and discovered the beauty of…
Monday notes and links 5
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- This week officially marks the beginning of the second half of the season. To get it started, we pass along some notes and links on a fine Monday morning from the Palouse. Read on.
Chiefs set busy off-ice week aside, win pair over the weekend
It was a busy weekend for the Spokane Chiefs, as they announced two big roster moves and hosted the Victoria Royals at the Arena in front of a little over 4,500 fans on Friday and the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday.
SUNDAY, OCT. 7, 2012
Halliday still the starter, other practice notes
COUGARS FROM PULLMAN -- It was a brief practice, as is typical of a Sunday night for Washington State. But afterward came a revelation from coach Mike Leach that he's sticking with his starting quarterback. Read on.
A question of balance 5
A GRIP ON SPORTS After watching quite a bit of college football on television yesterday, I came up with a question. Read on.
The morning after OSU 7
COUGARS FROM SALEM -- We'll be boarding a flight back to Spokane later this afternoon, which means there's plenty of time to recap yesterday's game, and the rest of the Pac-12 action, with links. Whether you want them or not. Read on.
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