Cougars try some new looks on defense

Ivan McLennan had a good game against Oregon on Saturday, collecting 1.5 sacks and forcing a fumble to go along with five total tackles. However, starting Buck linebacker Kache Palacio played well too, sacking UO quarterback Marcus Mariota twice.

Perhaps due in part to the fact that starter Destiny Vaeao is still limited, the Cougars had McLennan try his hand at playing with his hand on the ground on Tuesday, moving him to defensive end and giving him ample time with the second unit.

“We’re in a position now to manipulate some of our personnel and play to their strengths,” defensive line coach Joe Salave’a said. “Ivan’s a kid that’s long and quick-twitch,  and I think he presents a lot of problems for people. It’s just making sure that we’re doing our due diligence and evaluating and seeing how we can present ourselves with the best opportunity to get after it.”

That switch necessitated another move, and there was a little more mixing and matching on defense. We’ll cover all that and more in our Tuesday practice report, after the jump.

…

Taking McLennan’s spot as the backup Buck linebacker was Frankie Luvu, a freshman who has spent most of the season working with the scout team. Linebackers coach Ken Wilson said that Luvu has come on lately in workouts and can help the team win right now.

“We evaluate those guys every practice, every time we do Thursday Night Football and he’s been doing some things,” Wilson said. “He’s been playing really well and he can help us win games we’re going to give him a shot.”

Luvu wasn’t the only freshman linebacker to see his role increase on Tuesday. Dylan Hanser, a 6-foot-4 freshman who participated in spring practice, saw time with the twos at Will linebacker.

“Same way,” Wilson said. “He’s doing well in practice and these guys are evaluated all the time, all throughout the year and if they can help us win games, we’re going to go with the guys that have the hot hand.”

None of this is to say that the Cougars weren’t happy with the play of Darryl Paulo, who made his first career start against Oregon and had five tackles, including a pair for a loss and one sack.

“Darryl was one of our better performers. Probably the most explosive he’s ever played as a Washington State Coug,” Salave’a said. “It was great to see. He graded 90 percent in his production and level of play and that was great to see.”

Sulaiman Hameed is another freshman who saw his first action against Oregon, and played well. He ran with the ones on Tuesday, as did Will linebacker Jeremiah Allison.

In addition to Vaeao, limited players included Nick Begg, Isaac Dotson, Mack Hopkins, Nate DeRider, Drew Springfield and Sherman Hutcherson. I did not see Kristoff Williams or Chester Su’a at practice, but Theron West was at practice and no longer limited.

The defense showed a lot of intensity during Tuesday’s practice, and mostly beat up on the scout offense, which is still being led mostly by Gabe Marks at quarterback.

Paris Taylor forced a Marks fumble at one point, which was picked up by Marcellus Pippins and returned for a touchdown. Palacio had a good day against the run and in coverage.

McLennan got pressure on one play from his new end position, forcing a bad pass from Marks that was intercepted by Peyton Pelluer. Darryl Monroe recovered a fumbled snap and Darius Lemora also came up with an interception.

The scout offense had its moments as well. Squally Canada picked up a lot of yards after a short pass from Peyton Bender, and Marks had a nice pass to Dewan Lee Thompson, who out-jumped a tight defender to catch it at the high point.

The starting offense looked sharp, particularly Connor Halliday who more or less completes just about every practice throw these days. The offense did struggle some in the skeleton drill, but had a big play when running back Jamal Morrow – who had explosive receptions in the last two games – turned back to the ball and made a nice diving catch that resulted in a somersault.