Cougars’ D-Line Takes Another Hit
Leon Bender was first, followed by Gary Holmes. Now it’s Dorian Boose’s turn.
Boose will become the third Washington State defensive lineman to miss at least a portion of spring football practices when the starting end and All-America candidate undergoes surgery to repair a broken right wrist.
Boose broke the same wrist last season, but it appeared to heal and had not been a problem until it was re-injured during a recent practice.
A small screw will be inserted to stabilize the wrist, WSU trainer Mark Smaha said Saturday.
It is not clear when Boose might return, but the 6-foot-6, 290-pound junior is expected to be at full strength before the Aug. 31 season-opener against UCLA, Smaha said.
The defensive line, considered a strength after last season, could become a vulnerability. Of the four returning starters, end Shane Doyle is the only one cleared for full participation.
Bender is being held out of spring drills to focus on academics, while Holmes will undergo back surgery Thursday and will be out indefinitely.
Cougars scrimmage
The first spring scrimmage almost always creates more questions than it answers, and Saturday’s would be no different for coach Mike Price and the Cougars.
The starting offense was ineffective throughout the 1-hour session. There were dropped passes and missed blocking assignments throughout, even though the WSU secondary was weakened by injuries and inexperience.
“We’re not close to where we have to be on offense,” Price said. “The best thing we did was block for field goals.”
The only touchdown came on a 12-yard pass from second-string quarterback Steve Birnbaum to starting receiver Nian Taylor.
First-string quarterback Ryan Leaf had been slowed somewhat during the week after straining his left quadriceps on Monday, but he appeared to be at full strength Saturday.
“It felt great today,” Leaf said. “I took off yesterday and came out today ready to go, and it showed.
“I was strong and was able to move around. It felt good.”
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