WSU comes out of scrimmage unscathed
COUGARS
The best thing about holding a scrimmage, the last one of preseason camp, under the lights at Martin Stadium? It was perfect weather. Not too hot, not too cold. Sort of like the play on the turf. Read on.
••••••••••
• At times it seemed Thursday night the No. 1 objective was to make sure no one was injured. Mission accomplished. We have our story on the scrimmage here, but we also have more thoughts. ... The starting offense took one series against the backups with live tackling. The other two it was on the field featured what the coaches term thud, everyone hits but no one is supposed to be taken to the ground. Starting quarterback Jeff Tuel had one throw that should have been picked – reserve safety Tyrone Duckett jumped an out route headed to Henry Eaddy but dropped the sure pick six – and had one touchdown pass to Jared Karstetter negated by offsetting penalties to go with his one touchdown throw to Isiah Barton. ... As we say in our story, the backup quarterback battle had no winners Thursday night. Part of that was the No. 2 offensive line was missing center Taylor Meighen (concussion), who won't be able to hit anyone until next week, along with tackles Dan Spitz (class) and Jake Rodgers (shoulder). The group struggled to keep Toni Pole, Travis Long, et al, off the quarterback. The best throw was from Connor Halliday to Bennett Bontemps down the seam for 30 yards, but Halliday also missed Eaddy on the same route and barely overthrew Bontemps on a go route down the right sideline that would have scored. ... Dan Wagner took all the punts, hitting four for an average of 40.8 yards, though the hang time was not up to expectations. There were three field goal attempts, the first made by Andrew Furney from 27 yards, but the next two, from 48 yards by Furney and from 49 yards by Alex Gauper, were both blocked. All of the snaps from Zach Koepp on the punts and kicks, were good. ... More the Meighen and Rogers sat out due to injury. Receiver Gino Simone's calf acted up this week and he watched as did Kristoff Williams, who went through warm ups but not the plays. Defensive back Travion Smith was not suited up and neither were defensive tackles Steven Hoffart or David Davis (tackle). With the first game only nine days away, Paul Wulff wanted to give them as much time as possible to heal. ... We've been asked about TV for the Idaho State game and I'm sure I've mentioned this before. There is no TV. And there isn't for game two vs. UNLV. ... Here is some video from the scrimmage, courtesy of WSU.
•••
•••
• That's all for tonight. We'll be back in the morning. Until then ...
