Cougs in high spirits at practice

PULLMAN – The Washington State Cougars came off a bye-inspired rest with a spirited practice Thursday, the first this year in their Indoor Practice Facility.

A heavy midafternoon downpour pushed WSU inside for the first practice since last Saturday’s 53-7 loss to No. 7 Oregon.

The Cougars spent most of their 1 1/2-hour practice on individual drills, though the end-of-practice scrimmage featured some big hits. The biggest was delivered by senior running back Kevin McCall, who got the better of full-speed collision with defensive back Romeo Pellum.

WSU (2-5 overall, 0-4 in Pac-10 play) will practice again today before taking the weekend off.

Preparations for the Oct. 27 conference game with UCLA will start Monday.

Cougar notes

Right tackle Micah Hannam, injured in the Oregon game, had his right leg in a boot. Usual starting left guard Bobby Byrd, who played right tackle last season, moved over the Hannam’s spot, with true freshman Andrew Roxas taking over at left guard. That’s the same lineup the Cougars used during the second half in Eugene. … Safety Alfonso Jackson (concussion) and wide receiver Brandon Gibson both watched practice in street clothes, although Gibson, who missed the Oregon game with a heel injury, seemed to be walking without pain. … UCLA (4-2, 3-0) will play Cal on Saturday without starting quarterback Ben Olson, but backup Patrick Cowan, who has missed time with a torn knee ligament, practiced for the second consecutive day. Head coach Karl Dorrell would not say whether Cowan would start.