Cougars Go On The Offensive Davis, Strong Rushing Attack Highlight WSU’s 2-Hour Workout

It’s never easy drawing meaningful conclusions from the first game-like scrimmage of fall football camp.

But it was obvious Saturday night that Washington State has the right guys starting.

The Cougars’ No. 1 offense, behind the improved right arm of junior quarterback Chad Davis and a surprisingly effective running game, had its way against the No. 2 defense throughout the 2-hour workout staged under the lights on the grass practice field next to Martin Stadium.

And the Cougars’ No. 1 defense, despite the absence of two potential starters who were sidelined with minor injuries, dominated the No. 2 offense in much the same manner it did nearly every opponent last fall.

Even with cornerback Greg Burns out with a bruised shoulder and tackle Leon Bender sidelined with an ankle sprain, WSU’s young defenders limited the offensive backups to just 91 yards of total offense - 78 of which came on a pass play from third-string quarterback Shawn Deeds to Shawn McWashington.

Meanwhile, WSU’s No. 1 offense rolled up 368 yards and five touchdowns against the No. 2 defense.

Running backs Frank Madu and Derek Sparks combined for 194 rushing yards on 18 carries and Davis connected on 12 of 18 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns - both to sophomore flanker Bryant Thomas.

Madu scored on a 65-yard run that included a couple of broken tackles and Sparks darted 26 yards for a TD.

But the key to WSU’s offensive success was the offensive line, which consistently opened huge holes and provided solid protection for Davis.

“That’s because they were in really good shape and they’re playing well right now as a unit.”Davis gave his offensive line credit

for the first team’s strong showing.

“We ran the ball real effectively because the offensive line did a wonderful job of coming off the ball and making holes,” he said.

Davis, who said the time he spent in the weight room over the summer was the key to his new-found arm strength, put up his numbers despite the absence of last year’s top receiver, Jay Dumas, who missed the scrimmage with bruised ribs.

In other player-related news, reserve offensive lineman Zach Edwards will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, freshman wide receiver Evan Ford announced that he is quitting the team because of a bad back and freshman cornerback Torry Hollimon has decided to take a redshirt season and have his injured shoulder surgically repaired.

, DataTimes