Cougs take it easy in prep for opener

PULLMAN – Sunday wasn’t a day of rest, but it was close.

The Cougars practiced for little more than an hour in just helmets, learning the offensive and defensive schemes they’ll need for the season opener Saturday at Wisconsin.

“It was a nice little walk through, just a mental thing before we get ready for Wisconsin,” said senior tight end Jed Collins. “You have to see what you need to do before you start hitting again.”

“ The hitting begins again Tuesday with a 4 p.m. practice. Freshman cornerback Chima Nwachukwu was back Sunday, albeit in a yellow, no-contact jersey. Starting receiver Brandon Gibson (knee) was still out.

“ WSU announced the 2008 football schedule and there were no surprises.

The Cougars will play 13 games, finishing the season at Hawaii.

They’ll open with the Qwest Field game Aug. 30 against Oklahoma State.

The Pac-10 season gets started the next weekend in Pullman against Cal before two nonconference games, at Baylor and home versus Portland State.

The other Pac-10 home games are against Oregon (Sept. 27), USC (Oct. 18), Arizona (Nov. 8) and the Apple Cup (Nov. 22). The Cougars face UCLA (Oct. 4), Oregon State (Oct. 11), Stanford (Nov. 1) and Arizona State (Nov. 15) on the road.