Cougars eager for season that could be one wild ride
PULLMAN — Looking for a sign that these Washington State Cougars are ready for something different following three weeks of camp? With the team filing off the field after Saturday’s practice, defensive coordinator Robb Akey jumped into one of the equipment staff’s motorized carts and went for a joy ride around the practice fields. Akey said he hadn’t driven one before and wanted to give it a shot.
“We need to start the season. We need to play against somebody else,” Akey said moments after turning the vehicle back over to its rightful drivers. “I think the players feel that way and I know we’re anxious too to find out where we’re at.”
The Cougars are taking today off to get some rest before entering the final days of preparation for New Mexico, their opponent in the season opener on Friday night. It’s back to the practice field on Monday, and from there the Cougars have just three sessions left before boarding a plane for Albuquerque.
Akey said the coaching staff delayed the introduction of the game plan for the Lobos until recently, so the players will have it fresh in their minds come kickoff.
“We tried to hold off as long as we could,” Akey said. “We don’t want them to get bored with it. Everything (Friday), everything (Saturday), with the exception of one run drill, was all New Mexico’s offense.”
But based on what players are saying, they’d almost rather be bored with a game plan than the alternative: more monotonous practices.
“You only have one opportunity to make a first impression and this is it,” tight end Troy Bienemann said of Friday’s game. “Practice is getting boring. We want to play some games; we want to play somebody in another color uniform. I’ve been going up against (defensive end) Adam Braidwood so much I can probably draw his tattoo in my sleep.”
That attitude has head coach Bill Doba thinking that his players may just be in the right state of mind once they take the field with ESPN cameras watching.
“I think our kids are ready to play,” Doba said. “They’re kind of bored of each other. They’re not really ready assignment-wise, but mentally, they just need to stay up.”
If nothing else, the Cougars appear to be relishing the chance for one final day away from football before the season starts. Cornerback Alex Teems, who used camp this fall to nail down a starting spot, echoed his fellow Cougars’ feelings about needing to see other players. And his plans for today?
“Yard work,” he said.
Injury update
Barring any further injuries during the week, the Cougars appear to be getting healthy at the right time. Both defensive tackle Steve Cook and linebacker Pat Bennett returned to practice on Saturday. Bennett was back only on a limited basis after missing a few days with a strained hamstring, but the senior should be fine by game time.
Cornerback Tyron Brackenridge, a junior college transfer who could see playing time early, has also been out with a hamstring issue, but Akey said he should be back in practice on Monday.
Senior safety and defensive co-captain Hamza Abdullah has been able to participate in practice without any problems, even though he’s still just 13 days removed from thumb surgery. In fact, he intercepted another pass on Saturday, using a protective club around his left hand to help trap a ball thrown by freshman Gary Rogers.
Defensive end Matt Mullenix is battling a chronic hip problem but should be able to suit up. Running back Allen Thompson remains questionable for the opener with a lower back strain.