Harrison guides forward march
PULLMAN – At first Jerome Harrison looks like he’s made a mistake so goofy a third-grader would laugh at him. Then the same thing happens the next day. And the next, too.
More than 100 players are on the practice field daily, and every single one wears shorts that have the Washington State University and Cougars logo facing forward.
All, that is, except Harrison, WSU’s starting tailback. His shorts are turned around. Finally, the question is posed: Why are your shorts on backward, Jerome?
“So the defense can see them,” he said, a sly grin spreading on his face.
The goal for Harrison this fall – even if he’s not wearing the shorts on Saturday afternoons – is to make the joke into reality. The senior back has dazzled throughout spring practices and fall camp, and appears poised to continue his late-season run from 2004.
In three November games last season, Harrison dashed for 515 yards, including an effort at UCLA in which he broke the school record for carries in a game. This season defenses can expect to see a steady diet of Harrison in every game, and his coaches don’t seem to doubt that the 199-pound back can handle the responsibility.
“He’s proven he can carry the football,” running backs coach Kelly Skipper said. “The game at UCLA, he carried it 42 times. That tells you he has no problem carrying the ball. But he backed that up week after week. Now he just has to carry that momentum and carry it into the season. He’s improved since last year.”
The Cougars will need Harrison to be steady, as they don’t have proven runner behind him. Harrison’s backup, Kevin McCall, is out with a high ankle sprain – which is improving, but maybe not fast enough for the season opener. Next up is a true freshman in DeMaundray Woolridge, who has impressed in camp but never carried the ball more than eight times in a high school game.
Add it all up and Harrison should see plenty of touches this year.
“When you’ve got your coaches and teammates believing in you, it’s a good feeling that they know and have enough confidence that you can win a game for them,” said Harrison, who estimates he can manage 25 touches a game and hold up for the season. “Now I just have to go back it up.”
Derting expected back
Head coach Bill Doba said middle linebacker Will Derting should be back in practice and in full pads today. The senior star of the WSU defense has been out since pulling his left hamstring near the end of practice on Aug. 10.
Doba said he’s almost more concerned than relieved to have back the heart of his defense.
“It’ll be really worrisome that he doesn’t get hurt again,” Doba said. “You can’t tell him to go half speed, he doesn’t know how.”
Derting also missed most of training camp last season after dislocating his wrist.
Notes
Running back Dwight Tardy is also expected back to practice today after he pulled his left hamstring Aug. 15. … Wide receiver Marty Martin has been wearing a yellow no-contact jersey the last two practices after coming back from a concussion but is scheduled to be ready for full contact today. … Tight end Jacob McKinney will probably miss another three weeks before making his return from arthroscopic knee surgery. … Today’s practice has been moved up two hours so coach Bill Doba and coordinators Mike Levenseller and Robb Akey can fly to Coeur d’Alene for a banquet.