September 18, 2008 in Sports

No sparing change

Wulff tinkers with struggling roster

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Christopher Anderson photo

WSU coach Paul Wulff, right, is shaking up the lineup, including moving offensive lineman Vaughn Lesuma from left tackle to guard.
(Full-size photo)

PULLMAN – This, it seems, is the season of change.

One presidential candidate touts change we can believe in. Or change we need. The other says change is coming.

Are they both Washington State football followers?

In a season of change, from new head coach Paul Wulff to Martin Stadium’s different look, the pace has accelerated the past couple of weeks.

It started subtly, with sixth-year senior Matt Mullennix moving from defensive end inside to tackle for a few plays.

Last week it went from subtle to showy, with a change at quarterback, the most visible position on the field.

Junior Kevin Lopina took over for Gary Rogers, the fifth-year senior who waited patiently for his chance, struggled the first two games (22 of 45 for 160 yards and three interceptions) and was relegated back to the bench last Friday against Baylor.

Lopina completed 17 of 26 passes for 174 yards and two interceptions in the 45-17 defeat. He ran the team well enough, according to Wulff, to earn another start, although nothing is set in stone.

“We knew there would be adjustments along the way, we said that from day one, so here we are,” Wulff said. “Doing pretty much what I said we were going to have to do if we’re going to find ourselves and improve ourselves as the season moves along.”

But the quarterback change had little effect on Baylor’s offense, and did nothing to stop the Cougars from dropping to 0-3, the first time they’ve had that record since 1999. So, with Portland State and its run-and-shoot offense coming to town, this week the defense is in the spotlight.

“We’re just trying to get the best 11 guys on the field,” said Jody Sears, assistant defensive coordinator.

Alfonso Jackson, penciled in as a starting cornerback before getting injured on the first play of the season opener, has returned to the lineup as the strong safety. Chima Nwachukwu, who has started all of his 15 games at WSU, this year’s three at strong safety, becomes Jackson’s backup.

“I really thought there was more running at cornerback, but I feel way more tired after playing safety,” Jackson said Tuesday after his first full practice back in the middle. “I would play anywhere on the field, wherever it fits the team, it don’t matter. The more physical the better, for me.”

Myron Beck, who started the first three games at free safety, is now at the Will linebacker position. With injuries to linebackers Kendrick Dunn (sprained ankle) and Cory Evans (leg), there’s a good chance Beck could start Saturday.

Beck’s old starting spot is filled by Xavier Hicks, coming off a three-game suspension.

Last year Hicks backed up Jackson, starting the three games Jackson missed with a concussion.

But over the off-season Hicks was arrested, charged and convicted of assault, based on an incident in which he put rubbing alcohol in his roommate’s contact-lens case.

That, and other problems during his jail term, earned Hicks the three-game suspension.

“It was a good lesson to learn from,” Hicks said of his suspension.

Not all the changes the Vikings will see are on the defensive side.

Wulff, offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy and line coach Harold Etheridge shook up the offensive line this week as well, trying to patch together a group that’s down two starters with injuries.

Vaughn Lesuma was moved from left tackle to guard, where he teamed this week with Joe Eppele. Those two are trying to hold off B.J. Guerra and Steven Ayers, respectively, for the starting spots.

“I’m very fortunate to have Kenny Alfred on my side,” added Lesuma, referring to the junior center. “It’s nice to be in the interior. It’s a lot easier, I would say, than playing tackle.”

“We’re asking them to do a lot of things they’ve never done before,” Wulff said. “We’re doing everything we can to make sure they go to every class, make sure they’re eating every meal, make sure they’re on time for every appointment, make sure that, when they work out, we’re demanding more in the weight room. We’re working them harder in practice than they’ve ever worked.

“Everything is new and foreign. Sometimes I wonder if it’s information overload, more than they are capable of handling.”

Notes

Beside Dunn, who rolled his ankle Tuesday, and Evans, the rest of the usual starters practiced Wednesday. Alfred was back after taking a rest Tuesday. Jeshua Anderson (shoulder) still wore a yellow, non-contact jersey but participated in most drills. … Receiver Anthony Houston, who has not played in a game this year, was suspended for an indefinite period by the team’s Unity Council for violations of unspecified team rules, according to Wulff.

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