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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Blocking Lets Leaf Cut Loose Offensive Line Makes Amends In WSU’s Final Full-Contact Drill

Washington State’s offensive line was eager to make a statement during what was to be the final full-contact football scrimmage before the Aug. 30 opener against UCLA.

“Look out, Ryan!” had already been used, so the O-line was determined not to suffer a relapse of last weekend’s debacle, in which quarterback Ryan Leaf was sacked six times.

And so it was Wednesday afternoon that WSU’s O-linemen took the “e-m” out of embattled, battling their defensive counterparts on more even terms as the first-string offense put together two impressive scoring drives.

Given time to step up in the pocket, Leaf completed 14 of 28 passes for 173 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He was sacked just once.

“We came out and knew we had to be better today, and we did it,” said left tackle Rob Rainville, whose third career start will come against the Bruins. “We’re getting better each day. When UCLA rolls around, we’ll be ready.”

Senior receiver Kevin McKenzie caught both of Leaf’s scoring passes, for 47 and 3 yards, respectively. He had been blanked in the previous scrimmage, when Leaf was harried into a 6-for-19 showing.

“I was impressed with the offensive line today,” said McKenzie, who also scored TDs on punt and kickoff returns.

Leaf was also thankful, although the second-year starter was less enthused by his own performance. “I don’t think it was a very good job on my part,” he said.

Several of Leaf’s incompletions were of the most frustrating variety, short timing patterns that appeared to be botched by miscommunication.

“Me and the receivers need to get more on the same page,” Leaf said.

The running game continued to struggle, but that was to be expected - starting tailback Michael Black missed his second straight scrimmage with a tender left ankle.

Adam Hawkins, Miguel Meriwether and DeJuan Gilmore combined to carry 19 times for 44 yards.

“I think it’ll be different once we have (Black) out here,” right tackle Ryan McShane said. “Sometimes a back doesn’t know if he should take it all the way out or cut up inside. Michael kind of has a feel - that comes with experience.”

The 100-play scrimmage started much as Saturday’s had left off, with guys named Shane Doyle, Leon Bender and Dorian Boose spending inordinate amounts of time in the offensive backfield.

Given nine chances to score from inside the defense’s 3-yard-line, the first-string offense came up empty every time.

No matter what the offense tried, the defense was more than ready. At one particularly desperate juncture, backup offensive lineman Mark Nason was used as a wingback in tandem with tight end Love Jefferson. That ploy netted about 6 inches.

“When we get to the 2-yard line, we’re used to that meaning we just got a huge play or had a huge drive and we’ve got the momentum going,” Leaf explained. “It’s kind of hard to just kind of go, ‘Here’s the ball at the 2-1/2-yard line, now go.”’

The coaching staff continues to try various offensive-line combinations, all in an effort to determine who will play right guard. “That’s still a question mark,” coach Mike Price said afterward.

Said McShane: “Right now, it doesn’t bother me who plays there. I’d rather just find five and keep it.”

Mike Sage and Mickey Long provide one option. Another is to have center Cory Withrow move over one spot, with Lee Harrison moving to center.

The answer may come as early as today, when the Cougars are expected to release an updated two-deep roster.

Bender offered his own theory: “Cory knows all the positions, so I put my money on Cory. He’s good. And Lee’s a good center.”

Notes

Linebacker Brandon Moore provided the hit of the day, rendering Meriwether horizontal on one early running play… . Leaf’s lone interception was caught by Dorian Boose, who somehow managed to nab the bullet pass before it had crossed the line of scrimmage… . The Cougars tried two running backs briefly, to no avail. Explained Price: “What it really does is it just brings in another linebacker, and I think we’ve got enough linebackers in there to run against without bringing in another guy.” … In a startling development, Bender has apparently given up trash talking, at least during practice. “I think I’m going to try this team thing first, whereas before it was more like an individual thing,” Bender said. “Talking trash is my game, among other things, but I notice that like in practice, it doesn’t help the team out any.” … McShane, who underwent off-season shoulder surgery, aggravated the injury late in the scrimmage. “It’ll be fine,” McShane said. “I just think when you have surgery, it just scares you more.”

, DataTimes