Doba will look beyond starters at today’s Cougars scrimmage
PULLMAN – Washington State University can’t bring in the Dallas Cowboys today like the Seattle Seahawks will do for some preseason work, but one thing is consistent:
What’s on the field in August doesn’t bear much of a resemblance to the real thing in September.
The Cougars will hold their first intrasquad scrimmage of the fall at 2:30 p.m. today in Martin Stadium, but head coach Bill Doba said today’s action is less about seeing starters than it is about finding the stars of the future.
“We know (Alex) Brink can play quarterback,” Doba said. “We want to look at our young kids and our JC kids, the rookies that have come in, as well as some of our backups to make sure they can help. Or to see if they can help.”
The head coach said the scrimmage will start out with the No. 1 offense squaring off against the No. 1 defense, something that has happened on occasion in the last two days as well with WSU putting on the pads for the first time.
But even with Sunday’s day off on the horizon, Doba said now is the time to look for the mortar, not the bricks.
“(It’s) all about that,” he said. “The thing I like (is that) they’re competing. They’re competing hard against each other. That’s half the battle.”
Getting his feet soaked
One of those young players the Cougars would like to see is freshman linebacker Andy Mattingly of Mead, who has made a good first impression this week, although it’s clear a lot of work is yet to be done.
Even Mattingly, who has been working with the second defensive unit, said the chance from GSL football to the Pac-10 game has been anything but easy.
“A huge adjustment,” he said. “Not just physically, but mentally. I’ve never had to learn so much stuff in a short amount of time.
“I did not expect this at all. Yeah. Uh-uh. Indescribable.”
It has helped the Spokane native, however, that senior Scott Davis, the starter in his strong-side linebacker position, has given him advice after almost every repetition in practice.
The captain is almost always just a few steps behind Mattingly in drills, and seems to have taken to mentoring the freshman.
“That’s someone to look up to,” Mattingly said. “He’s a real good player, too. It’s nice having a good veteran in front of you that you can watch and learn from.”
Notes
Starting right guard Andy Roof (East Valley High) fractured his left thumb in the morning during a goal-line drill. Roof had surgery in the afternoon and it’s unknown how long the sophomore will be out. Another sophomore, Dan Rowlands, is taking reps with the first unit. … The Gray W club is holding its second annual reunion for former Cougars this weekend. Friday’s morning session was watched by a number of Cougars alumni, and more than 60 are expected for the weekend festivities, which include presentations from Doba and athletic director Jim Sterk. The former players also have the opportunity to sit in on positional meetings this morning, and the event will conclude with a dinner for the current players and alumni tonight. … Linebacker Cory Evans said he might be available to return to practice Monday from a groin injury. … WSU will begin warming up at 2 p.m. today, so the scrimmage should begin at the advertised time of 2:30.