Hollenbeck, Hollenberg Move Up To Offensive Line

Get out your pencil and eraser, Washington State football coach Mike Price has made some more depth-chart moves. Defensive linemen Joey Hollenbeck and Brian Hollenberg have been moved to offense in an effort to bolster an increasingly injured line.

“It gives us more depth and more bodies to work with,” said offensive line coach John McDonell. “I think they have the skills to play on the offensive line.”

Both certainly have the size. Hollenbeck is a 6-4, 293-pound sophomore. Hollenberg is a 6-3, 260-pound redshirt freshman. The technique it takes to play the offensive line might be another matter.

“The mental part of the game is tremendous on the offensive line,” said McDonell. “That is going to be a process that we will continue to work on.”

“It’s different,” agreed Hollenbeck, who played in eight games last year as a defensive tackle. “I’m used to trying to run around the guys and doing everything I can to do that. Now I have to think how to stop them.”

Hollenbeck suspected the move might take place. He was slowed in the preseason by a foot injury and because of that injury became a third stringer behind Tomasi Kongaika and Ing Aleaga.

“At first, when coach Price told me I was kind of upset about it,” he said. “But then the more I thought about it, the more excited I got about it. I couldn’t sleep last night I was so excited about it.

“Coach (Mike) Walker told me everything happens for a reason,” he continued. “So this might be the best thing for me.”

While Hollenbeck heard about the move on Monday night, Hollenberg wasn’t informed until an hour before practice.

“I had heard Joey had got switched over the day before, so I knew that it was coming,” Hollenberg said. “I’m just trying to look at this as a new challenge. The team needs us there, so that’s where I’m going to try and help out.”

When Hollenbeck and Hollenberg get up to speed, they will join an offensive line that already has three redshirt freshmen, Phil Locker, Derrick Roche and Jason Hughes, in backup or occasional starting roles.

Injury update

Linebacker Curtis Holden will have surgery Thursday to repair his broken right hand. Price was told by the team doctors that the surgery will expedite the healing process. Holden could be back as soon as the Arizona State game Oct. 23.

Redshirt freshman Curtis Nettles made his first appearance in pads since the spring. The 5-7 160-pound receiver had back surgery during preseason camp. The redshirt freshman is still not involved in contact drills, but could make a return following the bye week Oct. 16. Nettles is the Cougars’ quickest player and if healthy could give them a breakaway receiver and return man.

There still were a number of starters held out of practice on Tuesday. Defensive back Earl Riley (ankle, toe), defensive end Jesse Ratcliff (back) and cornerback Marcus Trufant (personal leave) were all out of practice.

Cornerback LeJuan Gibbons (shoulder), linebacker Raonall Smith (shoulder), tight end Russell Mizin (hamstring) and wide receiver Leaford Hackett (shoulder) were all wearing non-contact jerseys.

Long live the logo

The Cougars will keep the WSU logo on the side of their helmets for this week’s Louisiana-Lafayette game. Price had the Cougars cursive replaced with the monogram before last week’s homecoming game. He also had Randall Johnson, who designed the monogram in 1936, speak to the team before the homecoming game against Cal.