Washington State football chat transcript - 10/25
srchat (Admin): Welcome to the chat everyone. I’ll be here for the next hour, so let’s get going.
Oct 25, 10:03 AM
srchat (Admin): To start off, someone asked about Josh Talbott redshirting last week. I said he’d played in the Oregon State game and wouldn’t redshirt. Turns out the participation report was incorrect. Had Talbott on there instead of Tay Martin (also #1), so yes, I anticipate Talbott will redshirt.
Oct 25, 10:03 AM
Guest7037 (Guest): Do you expect Isaac Dotson to return this season? If so, when?
Oct 25, 10:04 AM
srchat (Admin): I tend to think he will. The reason: he’s been on the depth chart the last few weeks whereas Pelluer and DeRider haven’t been since we learned they’d be out for the year. I could be wrong though…
Oct 25, 10:04 AM
Patrick_T_Kelly: With so much attention on our great group of starters, there hasn’t been much coverage of players in development. Have there been any notable performers from Thursday Night Lights this year? Also wondering specifically about Conner Neville’s growth.
Oct 25, 10:06 AM
srchat (Admin): Yeah, Travell Harris’ name has come up a lot after Thursday Night Football. They’re also trusting him to quarterback WSU’s scout team offense this week, which means Travell=Khalil Tate.
Oct 25, 10:06 AM
Ryan Camp: Was it Bigge-Duran that replaced O’Connell in the first half against Colorado?
Oct 25, 10:06 AM
srchat (Admin): Noah Osur-Myers.
Oct 25, 10:06 AM
Guest1 (Guest): Why is the offense underperforming this year? Tell Mike Leach that he needs to fix that.
Oct 25, 10:07 AM
srchat (Admin): That’s a loaded question. Coaches would point to a number of things. If I had to pick one, probably the offensive line. You can tell him that. He’s on Twitter.
Oct 25, 10:07 AM
JFMCougs (Guest): In your opinion which player has been the biggest surprise on defense this year? I’ve also noticed that they switched Harper to cornerback and Singleton has taken over his reps at saftey, is that because Molten isn’t playing as much?
Oct 25, 10:09 AM
srchat (Admin): Biggest surprise would have to be Frankie Luvu. Always thought he was an average/slightly above average player on that defense. He’s been real aggressive and you’re seeing him in the backfield tons these days. And yes to your second question.
Oct 25, 10:09 AM
SOCALCOUG (Guest): Great win. Was there no focus on the staff to do something about a punter? What are we averaging 20-25 a punt?
Oct 25, 10:11 AM
srchat (Admin): They addressed the punting dilemma. Kyle Sweet had those duties to himself on Saturday and averaged 34 yards per punt. Maybe not ideal still, but they were able to flip the field when they needed to.
Oct 25, 10:11 AM
Guest1383 (Guest): How many more wins do you see the Cougars getting this season? I am guessing 3 to 5.
Oct 25, 10:12 AM
srchat (Admin): At least two. No more than five.
Oct 25, 10:12 AM
philip38: Pocatello, Idaho 4-star senior Tommy Togiai at 295 lbs.seems to be far and away the most highly rated DT among WSU’s recruiting targets at that position. Apparently, Togiai and WSU have little mutual interest. His top 3 targets appear to be Ohio State, USC and the Washington Huskies. However, after seeing the way the Coug D-Line dismantled Colorado last Sat. night, how might the Cougs D-Line recruiting efforts change for the better in general, and in sparking a prize D-Line recruit like Togiai in particular
Oct 25, 10:13 AM
srchat (Admin): Having a top-10 defense doesn’t hurt at all. They landed a three-star safety with all sorts of Power Five offers yesterday, so you’re beginning to see it pay off on the recruiting trail.
Oct 25, 10:13 AM
Smooth (Guest): The problem with Coug receivers “getting separation” - is it a speed issue or a technique issue?
Oct 25, 10:14 AM
srchat (Admin): I’ll go with technique. Few of those guys lack speed - even the tall, rangy ones on the outside.
Oct 25, 10:14 AM
socalcoug (Guest): A lot of attention on Luke holding the Ball. I noticed young receivers getting pushed off routes and balls landing where they should be. Comments?
Oct 25, 10:18 AM
srchat (Admin): It certainly isn’t all on Luke. You can trust he’ll put the ball where it needs to be more than 90% of the time. The young receivers are tough for the most part, but they’re still young.
Oct 25, 10:18 AM
Smooth (Guest): Has The Continent been praticing this week?
Oct 25, 10:18 AM
srchat (Admin): I believe so.
Oct 25, 10:18 AM
JFMCougs (Guest): Do you think that Grinch stays for a least one more season, our defense is clearly the strength of our team and the improvement every year has been amazing?
Oct 25, 10:19 AM
srchat (Admin): I think if/when Grinch leaves, he’d only leave for the right opportunity. Doesn’t seem like the type of guy who’d jump at the first offer he gets. If the defense keeps this up, though, I’m sure he’ll have offers…
Oct 25, 10:21 AM
socalcoug (Guest): Seems like Luke has to hold the ball longer since he cannot trust some of the receivers to be on location. Also leads to more picks or breakups. A few times last week balls dropped by AZ D, weather helped.
Oct 25, 10:23 AM
srchat (Admin): Yeah, some missed interceptions on both sides last week. He’s still building a rapport with a lot of those guys. His first season with Bell, Calvin, Tay Martin, Arconado, etc.
Oct 25, 10:24 AM
Guest4603 (Guest): Is the depth we’ve been showing at LB something that has surprised you, or were confident from Spring/Fall practices that some of the inexperienced guys could step in and play this well?
Oct 25, 10:26 AM
srchat (Admin): I wasn’t around in the spring, but yeah, if you would’ve said a linebacking corps with Rogers and Woods would play as well - or nearly as well - as one with Pelluer and Dotston, I would’ve laughed. They’ve been impressive, no doubt.
Oct 25, 10:26 AM
JFMCougs (Guest): Do you think Khalil Tate saved Rich Rod’s job?
Oct 25, 10:26 AM
srchat (Admin): Rich Rod did recruit Tate…
Oct 25, 10:26 AM
socalcoug (Guest): Luvu getting props because Matafa being doubled. Both play their heart out.
Oct 25, 10:27 AM
srchat (Admin): Good point. Mata’afa’s put a lot of his teammates in spots to be successful this season. Credit to him for doing that, credit to them for capitalizing.
Oct 25, 10:28 AM
JFMCougs (Guest): Now that we are more then halfway through the season, who do you thinks wins the Pac12 South/North?
Oct 25, 10:29 AM
srchat (Admin): I’ll hold off on making a prediction for now, but I’ll flip the question around. Who do YOU think is playing in the P-12 title game?
Oct 25, 10:29 AM
socalcoug (Guest): Any chance they recruit a tight end like player at WSU? Would help with the run game and I assume could line up at slot or off tackle
Oct 25, 10:30 AM
srchat (Admin): I’d need to do some pretty extensive research to see if Leach ever has.
Oct 25, 10:31 AM
JFMCougs (Guest): Washington in the north and I’ll let you know after the Arizona St USC game
Oct 25, 10:31 AM
srchat (Admin): Lots riding on that game in Tempe. My picks will be out later today, but I’m going with the Sun Devils.
Oct 25, 10:31 AM
socalcoug (Guest): What is the deal w Hilinski in his last couple of appearasnces? looks kind of frantic.
Oct 25, 10:34 AM
srchat (Admin): It’s tough to be thrown into a game like that. Takes awhile to find a rhythm and even Falk wasn’t able to do that with the rough conditions on Saturday.
Oct 25, 10:35 AM
208COUG (Guest): Technical question: I can’t seem to see the entire chat roll when going through it after its completed. What am I doing wrong?
Oct 25, 10:35 AM
srchat (Admin): I’m not sure. It seems fine on my end. I post the transcript afterward. You can find it at http://www.spokesman.com/wsu-football/
Oct 25, 10:36 AM
socalcoug (Guest): Nasty in Pullman this weekend? Good time for a game in AZ?
Oct 25, 10:37 AM
srchat (Admin): It’s actually been a lovely week up here so far. But never will complain about a late-October trip to Arizona.
Oct 25, 10:37 AM
Tim Creek: Any news on the health of Isaac Dotson?
Oct 25, 10:37 AM
srchat (Admin): Nothing new, no.
Oct 25, 10:38 AM
JFMCougs (Guest): Do you think that Maatafa will be Pac12 defensive player of the year?
Oct 25, 10:41 AM
srchat (Admin): He’s certainly a candidate. Christian Sam from ASU has been rock solid. Same with the corner from Stanford (Reid). Herc might be the favorite right now, though…
Oct 25, 10:41 AM
208COUG (Guest): After last week’s meeting with WSU’s president, what are the odds CML is here in 2019?
Oct 25, 10:42 AM
srchat (Admin): Not sure that meeting played much of a role, but whoever is the next AD could. Think he’ll be here for awhile as long as Moos’ successor gives him the freedom that Moos did. That’ll be important, in my opinion.
Oct 25, 10:42 AM
socalcoug (Guest): More running from Luke this week if AZ rushes 3 and drops 8? I am guessing no need for a spy on him.
Oct 25, 10:46 AM
srchat (Admin): If he needs to, maybe. Cougs have been able to pass with ease against Arizona the last few years, so Luke won’t take his chances if he doesn’t have to.
Oct 25, 10:47 AM
WSU 04 (Guest): When can we expect to see Riley Krenz in the slot? What do you see in Arconado vs. Krenz?
Oct 25, 10:47 AM
srchat (Admin): Are you the person who was asking about Krenz last week?
Oct 25, 10:48 AM
srchat (Admin): I apologize if this is a family member or friend of Riley’s - or Riley himself - I don’t see Riley catching a pass for the Cougs this season.
Oct 25, 10:49 AM
socalcoug (Guest): Cougs lose a coach or 2 with cost cutting announcement?
Oct 25, 10:49 AM
srchat (Admin): Tough to say. I’d need to see what the assistants are making. I’d doubt it affects football
too much, if at all.
Oct 25, 10:49 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Is Rogers going to Wally Pip Dotson?
Oct 25, 10:50 AM
srchat (Admin): Wouldn’t Dotson have to be healthy for that to happen?
Oct 25, 10:50 AM
Guest229 (Guest): Do you think Molton will see any time this weekend?
Oct 25, 10:52 AM
srchat (Admin): I think he may need another week or two…
Oct 25, 10:52 AM
208COUG (Guest): Apologize if this was covered, i got here late, but how do you expect WAZZU to contain AZ’s QB and RB? They’ve struggled with that, as you know.
Oct 25, 10:55 AM
srchat (Admin): They’ve struggled in years past, but they’ve seen plenty of mobile QBs/talented RBs this year and haven’t truly let any of them get loose. Chris Murray, Montell Cozart, Sam Darnold, Braxton Burmeister… Then Royce Freeman, Ronald Jones, Phillip Lindsay.
Oct 25, 10:55 AM
socalcoug (Guest): If Tate is a better runner than passer, doesn’t this favor the Cougs? Passers that can run seem to give us more trouble.
Oct 25, 10:56 AM
srchat (Admin): Tate isn’t a prolific passer, but he’s accurate. They also haven’t seen a runner like him in … well, probably ever. It’ll be a good test for the Speed D and I imagine the Speed D will be a good test for Tate.
Oct 25, 10:56 AM
JFMCougs (Guest): Watching the game last Saturday, ESPN gave WSU only a 49% chance of beating Stanford at home?!? That makes no since to me, Stanford lost to an average at best SDSU team and blown out by a struggling USC team. We lost big at Cal?
Oct 25, 10:56 AM
srchat (Admin): That Cal loss stung and Stanford’s played well since those early-season losses.
Oct 25, 10:56 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Dotson was listed with the ones last week.
Oct 25, 10:57 AM
srchat (Admin): Listed, but hasn’t played a snap since the first quarter at Oregon. I wouldn’t read too deep into the depth chart.
Oct 25, 10:57 AM
WSU 04 (Guest): No worries, I am not family or friend. I live near lake Stevens and watched him ball out in HS with Jacob Eason. Just curious why he hasn’t seen the field. Like I said last week, remember the name, future 1st rounder!
Oct 25, 10:59 AM
srchat (Admin): I do appreciate the Krenz questions!
Oct 25, 10:59 AM
WSU 04s Boss (Guest): Now that Moos is gone, can you please put in a word with Schultz to please bring back the script on the helmets for one game?
Oct 25, 10:59 AM
srchat (Admin): Kirk, you listening?
Oct 25, 10:59 AM
GoCougs (Guest): #FeedJamal!
Oct 25, 10:59 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): If Cody is the continent that must mean Noah is a country….which one?
Oct 25, 11:01 AM
srchat (Admin): Which country? 6-4, 321, so I’ll say … Australia?
Oct 25, 11:01 AM
208COUG (Guest): Is CML less salty off camera?
Oct 25, 11:02 AM
srchat (Admin): In my limited experience with Leach, he’s the same person on camera and off camera.
Oct 25, 11:02 AM
socalcoug (Guest): What is weather for kickoff?
Oct 25, 11:03 AM
srchat (Admin): Looking like 85 degrees. A dry 85 degrees.
Oct 25, 11:04 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Australia is a continent!
Oct 25, 11:04 AM
srchat (Admin): And a country!
Oct 25, 11:04 AM
srchat (Admin): But fine, how about India?
Oct 25, 11:04 AM
socalcoug (Guest): Speed D better than the killer Bees? Wasn’t that AZ defense name?
Oct 25, 11:05 AM
srchat (Admin): I think I was on a fourth-grade soccer team called the Killer Bees.
Oct 25, 11:05 AM
Guest2669 (Guest): Did Moos ever come back to campus to say good bye to his staff or clean out his office, or in situations like this does someone do it for him - the cleaning out of office?
Oct 25, 11:06 AM
srchat (Admin): Somebody spotted Moos walking near the athletic facilities last week, I believe.
Oct 25, 11:07 AM
srchat (Admin): Thanks for the questions, that’s all the time we have. It’s my first time in Tucson this weekend, so if anyone has food or hiking recommendations, feel free to send them to theol@spokesman.com. Until next week.
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