Cougars Scuffle As Intense Practices Continue

This week’s practices have been especially intense as Washington State’s football team tries to snap out of the lethargy that contributed to last week’s poor showing against UCLA.

Wednesday night’s session was no exception. The highlight came when freshman linebacker Brad Philley, a member of the scout team, went after senior left tackle Scott Sanderson, a three-year starter.

Sanderson was leading on all scorecards when the ensuing scuffle was quelled.

Shawn Tims averages 12.7 yards per punt return, best in the conference.

Pat’s plea

Record-setting California quarterback Pat Barnes will ask the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility, even if it’s “just for my peace of mind.”

Barnes, a fourth-year senior, decided over the summer to ask the NCAA for the extra year based on his original intent of having five years to complete his college education.

His unexpected participation in one game - the ninth of the 1993 season - burned a full year of eligibility.

Had he played in a game during the first third of the season and not played again, he could have been granted a redshirt season by simply claiming injury, which is commonplace.

Quotable

“This puts the Trojans in the strange, strange position of beating UCLA and Notre Dame to save a bad season, rather than losing to UCLA and Notre Dame to spoil a good season.” - Los Angeles Times columnist Mike Downey, on USC.

Around the conference

Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said Tuesday that injuries to tailback Saladin McCullough (hamstring) and quarterback Tony Graziani (knee) improved significantly, and both might play Saturday against Cal… . Arizona freshman Keith Smith is completing 62.7 percent of his passes, best in the Pac-10… . After last week’s disaster against No. 4 Arizona State, Cal supplanted Oregon as the most defensively lenient team in the conference… . The Sun Devils haven’t allowed any second-half points during their last three games… . Washington tailback Rashaan Shehee remains on crutches and in a protective boot, as trainers try to get his injured heel healthy. He hasn’t played since the fifth game of the season, and now is aiming for a bowl game… . UW tackle Mostafa Sobhi continues to be plagued by injuries. Sobhi injured an ankle and both elbows against Notre Dame, and although the ankle and one elbow has healed, the other elbow still is a problem.

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