Cougars can see Badgers ahead

PULLMAN – It’s official now.

Washington State began prep work Thursday for its first game, Sept. 1 at Wisconsin, running through the Badgers’ offense and defense at the end of practice.

“It’s a step closer to seeing another color,” said center Kenny Alfred about working against the scout team imitating the Badgers. “It’s really exciting. You’ve been seeing the same people, hitting the same guys every day, (so) you’ve got to find ways to keep the intensity up. You have to get in a football mindset before practice, remembering you have to go out and work hard because the game’s coming so soon.”

With six practices left before the season kicks off, Wisconsin is starting to come into focus.

“The are going to bring what they are going to bring,” Alfred said about the Badgers, ranked seventh in the preseason polls, alluding to Wisconsin’s reputation as a physical team.

“There was a little more intensity in drills, with mistakes earning a higher level of rebuke. When defensive back Eric Block stripped a pass from Finas Rabb III’s hands in an end-zone drill, offensive coordinator Mike Levenseller wasn’t pleased and Rabb knew it. He tucked away the next one.

“Freshman receiver Daniel Blackledge returned to practice for the first time in more than a week, but safety Terry Mixon, who practiced Wednesday, sat out. Receiver Brandon Gibson and offensive lineman Dan Rowlands were still in street clothes. Also out was cornerback Chima Nwachuckwu, whose injury wasn’t readily apparent. Dwight Tardy took a late blow to the face and sat out the end of practice.