Scrimmage Very Tough On Cougars

Washington State staged its final full-contact football scrimmage of fall camp Wednesday night, but not necessarily by choice.

With injuries mounting and the Sept. 2 season opener at Pittsburgh less than 10 days away, Cougars coach Mike Price said it’s time to let the healing begin.

“We’re probably a little tired physically and mentally right now,” Price admitted following a 90-minute workout that featured the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense much of the time. “We’ve got to make sure we take care of our players and get them ready to play a game.”

Of utmost concern is the health of the defense, which started the night with starting linebackers Chris Hayes and Johnny Nansen on the sidelines with injuries and ended with backups Steve Gleason and Brandon Moore in the same spot.

Hayes, a senior co-captain, has missed the past two practices with a sore back and Nansen, a junior, has been slowed by a sore knee that might require arthroscopic surgery.

Gleason, a freshman from Gonzaga Prep, sprained his left knee during the scrimmage and Moore, a sophomore, pulled a hamstring muscle.

“Our linebacker situation went from deep to no depth at all in about three plays,” Price said.

The only injury that appears serious, however, is Nansen’s.

Trainer Mark Smaha said he hopes to nurse the knee through the next few days and have the 6-foot, 220-pounder ready for Pittsburgh.

“It’s still up the air,” Smaha said of Nansen’s status, “but my guess is that he’s not going to make it through the season without a scope.”

Smaha said Nansen might have the surgery the week of the Montana game (Sept. 9) so he can take advantage of the Cougars’ bye week the following week and be healed in time for their Sept. 23 home matchup against UCLA.

Among other key players who missed Wednesday’s scrimmage with injuries were senior flanker Jay Dumas (bruised ribs) and freshman defensive tackle Gary Holmes (neck). Reserve linebacker Marvin McWilliams (shoulder) and backup running back Kwame Stewart (quad contusion) suffered minor injuries during the scrimmage.

In addition, starting tight end Eric Moore bruised a hip that has bothered him throughout two-a-days.

Bender update

Junior defensive tackle Leon Bender, whose academic status remains in doubt, played on the No. 1 defense most of the night, but Price insisted he has not heard whether the 6-5, 269-pounder will be eligible.

“I would not draw any conclusions from that,” Price warned. “He played a lot because we didn’t have anybody else.”

School officials have said they hope to announce a final determination on Bender’s eligibility by Friday, but Price said he doesn’t expect a decision until early next week.

Curtis sighting

Running back James Curtis, a 6-0, 210-pound transfer from San Diego State, made his first appearance in a WSU uniform and had one carry.

Price did not make Curtis report to camp with the rest of the team because he will not be eligible until next fall.

Offensive redemption

After going three-and-out on its first possession and then fumbling the ball away on two other series, the No.1 offense put together an impressive 65-yard scoring drive against the No.1 defense.

Backup tight end David Knuff scored the touchdown on a 6-yard sweep after lining up in the backfield as part of the new two-back look.

But it was a fourth-down pass from quarterback Chad Davis to starting tight end Eric Moore that kept the drive alive down by the goal line.

“I was real impressed with that drive,” Price said. “I was more impressed because of the way (the offense) started so poorly. It was nice to seem them come back after that.”

Davis completed nine-of-16 passes for 92 yards and senior running backs Frank Madu and Derek Sparks both ran well again.

Cougar tracks

With sophomore Zach Edwards sidelined for the season with a bad shoulder, redshirt freshman Rick Austin and sophomore Cory Solomon, a former walk-on from Mead, are competing for the starting job at offensive guard… . Running back Kevin McKenzie, a transfer from Long Beach City (Calif.) College, is on campus and enrolled in school but will not be eligible to compete until an incomplete grade he received over the summer, is corrected, Price said.

, DataTimes