Quarterbacks Shine Through For Cougars

The Washington State football team went through a carefully scripted limited-contact dress rehearsal Saturday morning in anticipation of the opening game of the season at Pittsburgh.

Despite the cautious approach for the 2-hour workout, junior transfer Dorian Boose, a defensive end out of Walla Walla Community College, apparently suffered a broken foot when he tripped on the Martin Stadium turf during the scrimmage.

Working against a scout team running Pitt’s defense, quarterbacks Chad Davis, Ryan Leaf and Shawn Deeds repeatedly found receivers open. On the other side of the ball, only an occasional reverse seemed to catch the Cougars defense out of position.

“We threw and caught the ball well today,” Price offered. “I don’t think we had any dropped passes and our quarterbacks were on target.”

Still, execution was only part of what coach Mike Price appeared to be looking for during the practice. “We didn’t have the intensity, sprit and enthusiasm we have to have to win,” he observed. “I was disappointed in that, but I can see why the players were like that. We had just watched a film from the NCAA about on-the-field celebrations, then we come out and have limited contact where we just kind of slap the ball carriers.”

There was plenty of scoring during the scrimmage, which was run according to a script of down and distance for both offenses. Often a long run or pass turned out to be a short gain because the script would go from first-and-10 to second-and-7.

Running back Frank Madu made it into the end zone on four occasions, while Chad Carpenter caught a 5-yard scoring pass from Davis and receiver Jay Dumas hit Shawn McWashington with a 35-yard scoring pass and then Eric Moore from 27 yards out.

Cornerback Brian Walker picked off a couple of passes and also raced 62 yards with a blocked punt to highlight the defense’s performance.

Price said his squad would have contact practices Sunday and Tuesday as it prepare for Saturday’s game at Pitt.

“We have to have basic practices to improve our fundamentals,” Price said. “Then we back off and get ready for Pitt mentally and physically. What they need to do now is concentrate on the mental aspect. When we come out for the kickoff at Pitt, we have to be intense and we have to be enthusiastic.”

, DataTimes