Backs Against Wall At 2-Hour Scrimmage
Mike Price has toyed with the idea of installing some two-back looks into his spread-passing offense ever since Shaumbe Wright-Fair ran out of eligibility back in 1992 - which just happened to be about the same time WSU’s running game ran out of gas.
But now that the sixth-year Cougars coach seems committed to such a change, he can’t find enough running backs to accurately test its effectiveness.
With junior Frank Madu running track again this spring and apparently running backwards in the classroom, and with junior Derek Sparks on crutches after having been hit by a car in the parking lot in front of Bohler Gym earlier his week, Price pressed several wide receivers into duty at running back Saturday as the Cougars ran through a 2-hour scrimmage in Martin Stadium.
Shawn Tims, Shawn McWashington and Kearney Adams took snaps at one of the two running back spots, along with redshirt freshmen Kwame Stewart and Jason Clayton, who were recruited to carry the ball.
Even a couple of walk-ons got brief looks, but the offense still wasn’t able to get much out of its running game against a depleted defense.
Clayton, a 5-foot-11, 180-pounder, gained 35 yards on nine carries and Stewart, a 5-11, 223-pounder, added 24 yards on eight carries. Tims broked loose for a 13-yard gain, but ended up losing 5 yards on his 10 carries.
“We really don’t have enough backs to be practicing the two-back right now,” Price admitted, “but I don’t care. I just want to see which plays are good and then we can decide what we want to run next year out of the package.”
Things might not have looked quite as bleak if Madu and Sparks, who shared time with senior Kevin Hicks last fall, had competed.
But Madu seems to have fallen out of favor with Price, and Sparks might miss the rest of spring ball with the deep bruise he received on his right knee Thursday night after practice when a car backed into him.
The injury should not prevent Sparks from making a run for the No. 1 spot next fall.
The status of Madu is less certain, according to Price, who is upset with Madu’s lack of commitment to the program and to his studies.
“I don’t know what Frank Madu is doing,” Price said. “I know he’s doing poorly in class, so he’s not going to be doing anything if he doesn’t start doing a better job there.”
Because of Madu’s academic deficiencies, Price said Madu will not practice football this spring, even if he does quit running track.
“And he needs the practice,” Price added, “so he’s not going to go back to No. 1. Now, with Sparks out, I don’t know who’s going to be No. 1.”
Quarterback numbers
The great quarterback controversy that was expected to erupt this spring hasn’t taken shape, thanks in part to the transfer of Chad DeGrenier and Shawn Deed’s decision to play baseball for the Cougars.
But more importantly, sophomore starter Chad Davis has done nothing but improve.
In Saturday’s scrimmage he played sparingly and completed 9 of 16 passes for 49 yards.
A back injury suffered in the Cougars’ Alamo Bowl win over Baylor has forced Price to hold Davis out of most contact work this spring, and that has opened up plenty of snaps for Ryan Leaf and Miguel Meriwether, a pair of promising freshmen who redshirted last fall.
Leaf threw for 103 yards Saturday, but completed only 7 of 18 passes. Meriwether was 3-for-8 for 27 yards.
“I thought all three quarterback played well,” Price said. “I’m pleased with all those kids and I’m certainly not worried about that position.”
Suspensions lifted
The indefinite suspensions handed out to four WSU players involved in a February brawl outside a fraternity house were lifted in time for backup tight end David Knuff and offensive linemen Marc McCloskey, Scott Sanderson and Ryan McShane to play Saturday.
Defense doesn’t rest
With junior captain Chris Hayes providing leadership at outside linebacker and junior Greg Burns, a two-year starter who missed the 1994 season to recover from knee surgery, back at a cornerback spot, the defense held the offense to just 70 rushing yards Saturday.