April 20, 2018 / Women's Golf from WSU Sports Info
WOMEN'S GOLF COUGS HEAD TO PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS
THIS WEEK: The No.63 WSU women's golf team will wrap up
their 2017-2018 season with the Pac-12 Championships on April 22-24, at the
Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle. The field is stacked as every competing Pac-12
school is ranked, seven of which are in the top-20.
THE TOURNAMENT: The course at the Broadmoor Golf Club
will play at a par-70, with a total of 6427 yards. The championships will tee
off from the first and tenth holes at 9:30 and 9:40 a.m. on both Sunday and
Monday. Washington State will tee off with UCLA from the first tee at 10:10
a.m. Seedings and pairings will be determined by scores following the first
round. The four lowest individual scores from each team will determine total
team scores for each round.
THE FIELD: All Pac-12 schools that sponsor golf are
competing in the event, including No.3 UCLA, No.4 USC, No.6 Stanford, No.13
Arizona, No.14 Arizona State, No.17 Washington, No.20 Colorado, No.40 Cal,
No.55 Oregon, No.60 Oregon State, and No.63 Washington State.
REPRESENTING WASHINGTON STATE: Taking the green for the
Cougars will be seniors Alivia Brown and Bree Wanderscheid, junior Madison
Odiorne, sophomore Marie Lund-Hansen, and freshman Emily Baumgart.
LAST TIME AT THE PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Cougars
finished 11th among eight ranked teams in Tucson, Arizona.
:::::::::::::::::::::
April 19, 2018 / Track
& Field
KORIR BREAKS WSU OUTDOOR 5K
RECORD AT BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL
From WSU Sports Info
AZUSA, Calif. -- Washington
State's combined events athletes and a small number of distance runners
competed Thursday at the Bryan Clay Invitational/Multis at Azusa Pacific
University's Cougar Stadium while the rest of the team was at the Pacific Coast
Intercollegiate meet at Jack Rose Track at Long Beach State.
Vallery Korir (senior,
Iten, Kenya) broke the WSU women's outdoor 5000m record with her PR time of 15
minutes 59.73 seconds. She finished seventh overall and was the fourth
collegiate in the prestigious Heat 1 Thursday night where the top eight placers
broke the meet and stadium record. Korir bested Ruby Roberts' 2014 WSU outdoor
record time of 16:09.02.
Alissa Brooks-Johnson, a
redshirt senior from Doty, Wash., finished fifth place in the women's Group 4
heptathlon with a total of 5,740 points. Brooks-Johnson had reached a
lifetime-best first day heptathlon total of 3400 points Wednesday. Starting the
day in fifth place, she long jumped 18-feet 7 3/4 inches (5.68m), threw the
javelin 128-7 (39.21m) and ran a PR time of 2:12.05 in the 800m to finish in
fifth place.
Lindsey Schauble, a junior
from Kennewick, Wash., scored a lifetime-best 4,908 points for seventh place in
the heptathlon Group 2. Thursday she long jumped 17-6 (5.33m), threw the
javelin 102-10 (31.36m), and ran the 800m in a PR time of 2:23.34.
At the Pacific Coast
Intercollegiate Meet Thursday, WSU claimed 10 victories.
Redshirt senior Cole Smith
(Hoquiam, Wash.) won the men's javelin with a five-foot PR heave of 222-4
(67.78m). Other WSU men with wins included: Zach Smith (200m - 21.41), Jake
Ulrich (400m - 49.07), Justin Janke (800m - season-best 1:51.65), Nick Johnson
(110m hurdles - PR 13.98w), 4x100m relay of Smith, Bains, Littles and Gardner
(41.34).
On the women's ledger, WSU
wins came from: Kaili Keefe (800m - PR 2:11.46), Stephanie Cho (400m hurdles -
59.32), Madelyn Sirmon (javelin - season-best 44.42m/145-9),
NOTEWORTHY:
Sander Moldau cleared a PR
pole vault height of 5.21m/17-1 for fifth place at Long Beach but joins in a
three-way tie for the eighth-best pole vault in WSU all-time
Aoife Martin was 11th in
the women's hammer at Long Beach with a PR of 55.57m/182-3, improving her
lifetime-best mark but remaining at sixth-best in the WSU all-time records.
Freshman Martin Moldau
(Rakvere, Estonia) ended the first day of his first collegiate decathlon with a
total of 3,216 points, which was 12th in Group 4, but did not start the second
day's events.
Remaining competitions for
WSU Track & Field this week include: at the Bryan Clay Invitational, April
19-20, in Azusa, Calif., at the Beach Invitational at Long Beach State April
20-21, and at the SCC Spokane Memorial #2 April 20-21, at Spokane Falls
Community College.
ADDITIONAL COUGARS RESULTS
FROM PACIFIC COAST INTERCOLLEGIATE (Long Beach):
WOMEN
100m - Regyn Gaffney (2nd -
11.77w), Jordyn Tucker (7th - PR 12.05)
200m - Tierney Silliman
(9th - PR 24.60), Jordyn Tucker (14th - 24.84), Regyn Gaffney (15th - 24.84)
400m - Marlow Schulz (4th -
56.52), Grace Victor (16th - 58.68), Zorana Grujic (19th - 58.95)
400m Hurdles - Jelena
Grujic (4th - 1:02.09)
4x100m Relay - Tucker,
Gaffney, Silliman, Cho (2nd - 46.17)
Pole Vault - Molly
Scharmann (5th -4.05m/13-3 1/2), Emily Coombs (18th - 3.75m/12-3 1/2), Katelyn
Frost (21st - 3.60m/11-9 3/4), Macee Erickson (24th - 3.60m/11-9 3/4)
Long Jump - Greer Alsop
(10th - 5.54m/18-2 1/4), Brittni Williams (27th - 4.84m/15-10 1/2), Oyinlola
Akinlosotu (31st - 4.40m/14-5 1/4)
Shot Put - Chrisshnay Brown
(20th - season-best 13.89m/45-7)
Discus - Kaitlin Krouse
(12th - PR 47.60m/156-2), Chrisshnay Brown (26th - 44.02m/144-5)
MEN
100m - Zach Smith (2nd -
10.57w), Ethan Gardner (11th - 10.82), Ray Littles (14th - 10.84)
200m - Ethan Gardner (7th -
21.89), Brandon Bains (9th - 22.11), Ray Littles (10th - PR 22.14)
800m - Zach Stallings (3rd
- 1:53.05), Reid Muller (4th - 1:54.33)
110m Hurdles -
Christapherson Grant (4th - 14.42w), Sam Brixey (9th - 14.58w), Abu Kamara
(15th - 15.00w)
High Jump - Peyton
Fredrickson (2nd - season-best 2.07m/6-9 1/2), Keelan Halligan (5th - season-best
2.02m/6-7 1/2), Max English (t-9th - 1.97m/6-5 1/2)
Long Jump - Robby Flores
(23rd - PR 6.36m/20-10 1/2), Abu Kamara (26th - PR 6.01m/19-8 3/4)
Shot Put - Sander Moldau
(34th - 11.17m/36-7 3/4)
Hammer - Amani Brown (4th -
63.44m/208-1), Wyatt Meyring (12th - 55.53m/182-2)
ADDITIONAL COUGARS RESULTS
FROM BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL (Azusa):
WOMEN - incomplete
3000m Steeplechase - Devon
Bortfeld (21st - 10:35.91)
MEN - incomplete
5000m - Michael Williams
(10th Heat 2 - PR 14:02.36), John Whelan (24th Heat 1 - 14:48.85)
3000m Steeplechase - Colton
Johnsen (16th - PR 8:57.98), Kyler Little (21st - season-best 9:00.21)
:::::::::::
WSU BASEBALL AT
BAILEY-BRAYTON FIELD ON WSU CAMPUS IN PULLMAN ON FRIDAY NIGHT 4/20/2018
Bottom of third inning,
Santa Clara leads WSU 8-5
::::
Washington State football
chat transcript: previewing the Crimson and Gray game
Fri., April 20, 2018, 9:42
a.m.
By Theo Lawson Spokane S-R
srchat (Admin): It’s been
awhile! Welcome back to the live chat. I’ll be around for the next hour to
answer your questions. I’ve already fumbled my iPhone into a bowl of scrambled
eggs this morning, so surely the day can only get better…
Apr 20, 11:00 AM
Guest3699 (Guest): How
large a role do you see Borghi having this season?
Apr 20, 11:03 AM
srchat (Admin): A big one.
Seems to me he’s the second option at RB behind James Williams and I figure
they’ll find a way to work him into special teams.
Apr 20, 11:03 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): I know
it is nearly impossible to know the answer, but if you had to pick a day 1
starter at QB, who would it be, Gordon, Tinsley or Minshew?
Apr 20, 11:05 AM
srchat (Admin): I suppose
it’s good to get this one out of the way early. Between Tinsley and Gordon, I
think Tinsley has the slight edge for now. Seems to command the offense a
little better and looks more poised in the pocket. Though I believe Gordon has
more raw talent. I won’t make any assertions about Minshew until I’ve seen him
in this offense, but I suspect it’ll be a three-man race for quite awhile.
Apr 20, 11:05 AM
Guest5286 (Guest): Bigger
concern for WSU from the end of spring through the start of fall camp:
Rebuilding the OL or finding a starting QB?
Apr 20, 11:07 AM
srchat (Admin): Is 1A and
1B a suitable answer? If the protection for (Tinsley/Gordon/Minshew) isn’t
better than it was for Falk last season, I can see the offense struggling. If
(Tinsley/Gordon/Minshew) struggles to run the offense anyway, well, I’m not sure
it’ll matter much what the O-line is doing.
Apr 20, 11:07 AM
Guest9014 (Guest): Which
new coach swears the most?
Apr 20, 11:08 AM
srchat (Admin): Tracy
Claeys doesn’t say much, but he probably leads the staff in SWPS (Swear words
per sentence).
Apr 20, 11:09 AM
Guest6821 (Guest): Based on
what you have observed this spring, has your opinion changed either way on the
likelihood of Gardner Minshew getting the starting nod?
Apr 20, 11:11 AM
srchat (Admin): Think his
chances of grabbing the job are still about as good as they were a month ago.
Apr 20, 11:11 AM
Its Me (Guest): hard to
imagine this team not taking a pretty big step backward this season with all of
the losses. Lots of young talent, but they’re going to have to take their lumps
before they are as good as Luke Falk’s class, no?
Apr 20, 11:12 AM
srchat (Admin): That’s a
fair assumption. Can this team scrape out six wins? I see six of them on the
schedule. Will you guys be asking me about their chances of beating UW for the
Pac-12 North in late November? Probably not…
Apr 20, 11:12 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): There
appears to be big difference in coaching styles between Claeys and Grinch, how
do you feel the defense will perform this year with all the changes?
Apr 20, 11:14 AM
srchat (Admin): That’ll be
one of the storylines I continue to track. He’s far less hands-on than Grinch,
but players seem to think he’s still as effective. And they’re running many of
the same schemes/keeping the “Speed D” moniker. If there is a dropoff, I think
it’ll be more personnel-related than anything else.
Apr 20, 11:14 AM
Guest3992 (Guest): What are
the chances that Cooper re-emerges as a candidate for a starting spot at QB
after gaining more experience over the summer? Or does it seem that he’s generally
not ready?
Apr 20, 11:15 AM
srchat (Admin): I won’t
rule this out. Cooper’s looked like a stud at times this spring. Other times,
he’s looked like an early enrollee who’s getting his first taste of CFB. This
will be a big summer for him. The more time he spends with the playbook, the
better.
Apr 20, 11:15 AM
Guest9014 (Guest): Abe
Lucas is the only OL to have never played college football. Will we likely see
him starting?
Apr 20, 11:15 AM
srchat (Admin): I’m
penciling in Lucas to start at right tackle. New OL coach Mason Miller called
him the “best young player” he’d seen in years.
Apr 20, 11:16 AM
Guest5286 (Guest): From the
beginning of spring practice to today, what has been the biggest surprise or
unexpected development?
Apr 20, 11:20 AM
srchat (Admin): The
development of the D-line. Without Mata’afa/Ekuale, I thought the group would
go through some growing pains, but they’ve performed well. Nick Begg’s had a
great spring, Pono Lolohea should contribute in some fashion, Nnamdi Oguayo looks
like one of the best edge-rushers in the conference.
Apr 20, 11:20 AM
Guest5553 (Guest): Thoughts
on how Cooper has looked so far?
Apr 20, 11:22 AM
srchat (Admin): Good at
times, sporadic at others. He doesn’t lack the physical tools, just the experience.
He’s been tentative in some situations. Think he’ll benefit from redshirting if
that’s how this plays out.
Apr 20, 11:22 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): Who do
you think will be the top 5 receivers this year in total yardage?
Apr 20, 11:24 AM
srchat (Admin): Oh boy. 1.
Tay Martin; 2. Jamire Calvin; 3. Renard Bell; 4. Kyle Sweet; 5. Easop Winston.
Apr 20, 11:24 AM
Guest3992 (Guest): What
have been your impressions about the RUSH linebacker spot? Do you see Willie
Taylor challenging for a spot in that rotation?
Apr 20, 11:25 AM
srchat (Admin): Not a ton
of experience there and nobody who can flat out replace Frankie Luvu, but
between Chima Onyeukwu, Tristan Brock and Willie Taylor, I think they like
their options and depth at that spot.
Apr 20, 11:26 AM
wazzupike (Guest): How does
our depth at WR look w the departures of IJM & Martin? Any surprises?
Apr 20, 11:27 AM
srchat (Admin): Believe WR
is the deepest position on this team (LB is a close second). Tay Martin, I
think, could become one of the better wideouts in this conference. On the other
side, Dez Patmon and Easop Winston make a good one-two punch. Then tons of
options on the inside.
Apr 20, 11:27 AM
Its Me (Guest): Has anyone
followed up with Leach on his desire to take the Tennessee job now that we know
he all but accepted the job before the AD was fired (in part, for offering to
him)?
Apr 20, 11:28 AM
srchat (Admin): That hasn’t
come up in an interview setting yet, but I have a good idea of how it’d play
out if someone did ask…
Apr 20, 11:29 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): No
Dezmon Patmon in top 5?? Will Connor Neville ever get a chance to play at WSU?
Looked good as a recruit.
Apr 20, 11:30 AM
srchat (Admin): Patmon will
make some big plays for the Cougars and could even be their TD leader, but he’s
not someone I see getting a lot after the catch. I don’t see a role for Neville
right now. He’s clearly the third guy on the depth chart and will presumably
slide to fourth when Minshew arrives.
Apr 20, 11:30 AM
rharkins63: Coach Leach has
gone out of his way to praise the job Eric Mele is doing with the RB’s and that
they seem more prepared and focused. Do you notice a real difference in the
preparation, or do you think some of it is a jab at Mastro and the way he left?
Apr 20, 11:32 AM
srchat (Admin): Frankly, I
think Mele’s tried to maintain a lot of what Mastro had in place. Those RBs
definitely played for Mastro, but feels like it’s been a seamless transition to
this point.
Apr 20, 11:33 AM
Guest8447 (Guest): Will you
do a post spring 2 deep depth chart?
Apr 20, 11:33 AM
srchat (Admin): Yep, look
for something like this on the website next week
Apr 20, 11:33 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): How is
the kicking game looking? Impressive year by Powell where I actually was
confident kicks were going to go in. Is Crane going to be the FG Kicker and is
he able to kick it in the end zone on kick offs? Also, who do anticipate will
punt?
Apr 20, 11:36 AM
srchat (Admin): Crane seems
like the guy for now. The SIDs will tell me I’m jinxing him, but he hasn’t
missed a FG in the scrimmages yet. I’d say that’s a good way to win a job.
Would expect him to handle kickoffs, too. As for the punter, I have a feeling
the JC transfer, Oscar Draguicevich, will get that job. Would expect them to
sprinkle in some of the rugby punting with Sweet, though.
Apr 20, 11:36 AM
Its Me (Guest): Since Leach
lost almost his entire coaching staff in once off season, how would you say the
players feel about the mass turnover in assistant coaches?
Apr 20, 11:38 AM
srchat (Admin): I’ll bet it
was tough for the players to see some of them go. I spent an hour watching film
in the RBs room last year and it gave me a sense of the bond they had with Jim
Mastro. Granted, they know it’s the nature of CFB and feels like they’ve
embraced all the new guys.
Apr 20, 11:38 AM
Guest3992 (Guest): Not
asking you to provide specifics because I know that you can’t—and I’m sure
we’ll see Vanilla tomorrow— but have you seen any evidence that Leach is tinkering
with the Air Raid at all this year or should we figure to see the same ole,
same ole this Fall?
Apr 20, 11:40 AM
srchat (Admin): Can’t
really speak to this, but with the inexperience at QB and the talent at RB,
perhaps we see a few more designed runs this year. But, that’s just my own
guess….
Apr 20, 11:40 AM
Guest2885 (Guest): I hear
too much that we might struggle to get 6 wins this is a rebuilding year. I
think we are better or as good in every position group as we were last year …
except on QB. No real glaring reason we can’t get at least 8 wins except all
qbs become bust
Apr 20, 11:43 AM
srchat (Admin): Taking care
of those first three games is key. Leach’s teams always tend to win a game or
two they’re not “supposed to.” A ton depends on the QB/OL, in my opinion.
Apr 20, 11:43 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): With
Pelluer and Woods, a great starting pair of backers, do you think they will
rotate in Justus, Dillon and Catis to keep everyone fresh?
Apr 20, 11:45 AM
srchat (Admin): Justus
Rogers has perhaps had the best spring of any LB. I think those three (Rogers,
Woods, Pelluer) are interchangeable. Sherman is a capable backup, too, so I
think you start with that four-man rotation and go from there.
Apr 20, 11:45 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): It looks
like Harper Jr has cemented his spot as their top DB, Molten flashed early in
his career, but I feel he’s been steady. Who do you think the starting DB’s
will be this year?
Apr 20, 11:47 AM
srchat (Admin): I still
think Marcus Strong will push Harper Jr. So, with that said, starting DBs: CB
(Harper Jr./Strong), CB Molton, SS Jalen Thompson, FS Skyler Thomas.
Apr 20, 11:47 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Hi
Theo!
Apr 20, 11:47 AM
srchat (Admin): HI!
Apr 20, 11:48 AM
Its Me (Guest): will we
ever win an Apple Cup again?
Apr 20, 11:48 AM
srchat (Admin): Let’s poll
the room… Room, will the Cougars ever win an Apple Cup again?
Apr 20, 11:48 AM
Guest3992 (Guest): NO
Apr 20, 11:48 AM
UCallItAnything: No
Apr 20, 11:48 AM
Guest1263 (Guest): Maybe
Apr 20, 11:49 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): Not with
Peterson at UW
Apr 20, 11:50 AM
Guest2885 (Guest): This
year we will. No one is as good as they are built up to be and this is the type
of year we are not suppose to so yeah we win this year
Apr 20, 11:50 AM
Its Me (Guest): No
Apr 20, 11:50 AM
Guest6821 (Guest): Probably
not….
Apr 20, 11:50 AM
srchat (Admin): Real quick,
Crimson & Gray rosters were just released:
http://wsucougars.com/documents/2018/4/20//2018_Crimson_and_Gray_Rosters.pdf
Apr 20, 11:50 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): What
do you think of the new womens basketball coach? Weird with Chung meeting with
the players.
Apr 20, 11:51 AM
srchat (Admin): Seems like
a home run hire. Ethridge was bound to get a Power Five job eventually, so good
move by Chun to snap her up.
Apr 20, 11:52 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): Where
does Luke Falk get drafted? I am going to hold you to this predication…..!
Apr 20, 11:53 AM
srchat (Admin): “With the
63rd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots select Luke
Falk, quarterback, Washington State.”
Apr 20, 11:53 AM
Guest2885 (Guest): Peterson
is great coach but so was James. Anyone can be beat. Cougs are good enough to
do it.
Apr 20, 11:53 AM
Its Me (Guest): Let me
revise that, history says we win 3 out of every 10. we’re down
0-for-the-last-5, but it’s really hard to imagine us winning 3 of the next 5 to
get back to our historical everge this decade.
Apr 20, 11:54 AM
srchat (Admin): More Apple
Cup thoughts ^^^
Apr 20, 11:54 AM
GoCougs14 (Guest): I have
heard ZERO about Cody O’Connell in the NFL draft.. Crazy for an All American to
get zero buzz. Does he even get drafted? Signed as an undrafted FA?
Apr 20, 11:58 AM
srchat (Admin): I could
potentially see a team taking Cody late based on his sheer size and thinking
they could mold him into something. If not, I’m sure he’ll get a UDFA deal.
Apr 20, 11:58 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest):
Besides QB, next biggest question mark on the team?
Apr 20, 11:58 AM
srchat (Admin): Offensive
line.
Apr 20, 11:58 AM
Guest2885 (Guest): Who did
chun meet with and why would it be weird for AD to meet with “players”
Apr 20, 12:00 PM
srchat (Admin): Chun
reportedly met with the current players prior to hiring Ethridge. Meeting
reportedly didn’t go well for some of the players. Three of them transferred.
Apr 20, 12:00 PM
rharkins63: Wondering if
there is someone flying under the radar you might recommend we keep a close eye
on tomorrow?
Apr 20, 12:01 PM
srchat (Admin): Taylor
Comfort’s been repping with the first team at nose tackle. He’s had a sneaky
good spring.
Apr 20, 12:01 PM
GoCougs14 (Guest): Go Cougs
- 7 wins, 5 losses this year
Apr 20, 12:02 PM
srchat (Admin): Taking any
final questions…
Apr 20, 12:02 PM
GoCougs14 (Guest): Whats
your favorite color?
Apr 20, 12:02 PM
srchat (Admin): Red (but
I’m not a Coug)
Apr 20, 12:02 PM
Its Me (Guest): where are
you gonna be tomorrow Theo? Can we come by and say hi and thanks for all the
hard work?
Apr 20, 12:03 PM
srchat (Admin): Believe
I’ll be up in the Joe Albi press box, but shoot me a tweet and I’d love to meet
up. Thanks!
Apr 20, 12:03 PM
Uncle Larry (Guest):
Inexperienced QB and 2nd biggest question mark is the O-Line has me worried
that this offense might not score much.
Apr 20, 12:04 PM
srchat (Admin): Both areas
that I’ll keep a close eye on when fall camp starts.
Apr 20, 12:05 PM
srchat (Admin): Well,
thanks everyone for joining. Will have a few things out today and be sure to
follow our coverage tomorrow afternoon from Joe Albi. Until next time…
:::
All eyes on QBs as
Washington State moves its spring routine to Spokane for Crimson and Gray game
UPDATED: Fri., April 20,
2018, 5:53 p.m.
By Theo Lawson S-R of
Spokane
PULLMAN – In Saturday’s
Crimson and Gray game, Trey Tinsley and Anthony Gordon will both have the
opportunity to do something that isn’t guaranteed for either after the annual
scrimmage at Joe Albi Stadium.
That is, start at
quarterback for the Washington State Cougars.
It could be the first of a
few dozen for one of WSU’s redshirt juniors. It could be the last for the
other.
Nonetheless, it’ll mark the
14th of 15 spring auditions for both of the QB hopefuls. While Mike Leach wants
his signal-callers to place equal value in every snap taken through March and
April, Saturday’s trial is probably the most important one.
A large contingent of
Spokane’s WSU alumni/fanbase will turn out for the annual spring game. The
Cougars will swap out tattered practice shirts for fresh game jerseys. And
further simulating the ambience of an actual football contest, a crew of
cameramen and analysts from the Pac-12 Networks will be on site broadcasting
the scrimmage live. The first hour will air on the main Pac-12 Networks
channel, the second will appear on the Pac-12 Washington affiliate.
“(It’s) just getting as
best as a real game as possible with the play clock, the scoreboard on,”
Tinsley said. “You’ve got timeouts and just everything simulating a real game
as much as possible and just working off that and trying to get the best
quality reps we can to put on tape. Then after that, go back and watch the tape
and go from there.”
Neither Tinsley or Gordon
will win the job on Saturday, but one can create separation from the other and
both can put some distance between themselves and incoming graduate transfer
Gardner Minshew, who won’t go through his first practice with the Cougars until
August.
Five to watch: Players to
keep an eye on during the Crimson and Gray game
As the Cougars prepare for
the Crimson and Gray game, we take a look at five (six, actually) players who
could break out Saturday afternoon at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane
Tinsley, who’s been just a
nose ahead of Gordon in recent workouts, will lead the “Crimson” team on
Saturday. Gordon will be in charge of the “Gray.” Those two will take the large
majority of the snaps for the first half. True freshman Cammon Cooper and
redshirt freshman walk-on John Bledsoe, both members of the “Crimson” team, and
redshirt freshman Connor Neville, a member of the “Gray” team will split up the
remainder of the repetitions.
“We’ll see how it goes, but
it’ll be Tinsley and Gordon for the first half for the most part,” Leach said.
“Maybe not the entire first half, but generally speaking the first half.”
Leach and his staff work
carefully to divide their spring game rosters, ensuring there’s no great talent
discrepancy between “Crimson” and “Gray.” Granted, the two receivers who’ve
been labeled by Leach as the most consistent through spring camp happen to be
on Tinsley’s side: inside “Y” receiver Kyle Sweet and outside “Z” receiver
Easop Winston. Sweet’s caught 12 passes for 139 yards and four touchdowns in
the first two spring scrimmages. Winston had two TD receptions in the last
scrimmage.
That doesn’t mean Gordon’s
cabinet of playmakers is bare. He’ll have zippy, sure-handed Jamire Calvin on
the inside and rangy, athletic Tay Martin on the outside – not to mention 6-4
junior Dezmon Patmon.
While the quarterbacks aim
to show good knowledge of Leach’s play-calling concepts, demonstrate poise in
the pocket and post a strong touchdown-to-interception ratio, the receivers
have their own objectives in mind.
“We talk about, half of
this stuff is just showing up and trying really, really hard,” inside receivers
coach Dave Nichol said. “We are finally starting to chase the ball better,
meaning transition from, I’m trying to get open to all right, I’m going to be a
blocker. Just effort and then trying to be physical. We can’t work on that
enough. Just like another day for us.”
The Cougars’ projected
starter at running back this fall, James Williams, will be taking handoffs from
Tinsley. Promising freshman/early enrollee Max Borghi will be in Gordon’s
huddle. The offensive line will be split as evenly as an odd-numbered position
group can be.
Starting left tackle Andre
Dillard and starting left guard Josh Watson will protect Tinsley. Center Fred
Mauigoa, right guard Robert Valencia and right tackle Abraham Lucas will block
for Gordon.
Prior to the game, there
will be a Kids Skill Challenge, free and open to the public. Afterward,
autograph seekers are allowed to gather on the field and obtain signatures from
their favorite Cougars.
::::
Five to watch: Players to
keep an eye on during the Crimson and Gray game
UPDATED: Fri., April 20,
2018, 5:34 p.m.
By Theo Lawson Spokesman-Review
of Spokane/Inland Empire
All eyes on QBs as
Washington State moves its spring routine to Spokane for Crimson and Gray game
PULLMAN – For the viewing
public, the Crimson and Gray game often serves as a first glimpse at the
standouts-to-be on Washington State’s football roster. Second-year freshmen who
are primed to break out after spending a redshirt season. Junior college
transfers who fans have yet to see in action. Or former backups who are finally
thrown into starting roles.
WSU’s roster is dotted with
players like that, so as the Cougars prepare for the Crimson and Gray game, we
take a look at five (six, actually) players who could break out Saturday
afternoon at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane.
Trey Tinsley and Anthony
Gordon, quarterbacks
Tinsley’s shown better
command of the offense, Gordon’s shown better arm strength and precision.
Saturday could go a long way in determining if either is suited to replace Luke
Falk.
Easop Winston, wide
receiver
The City College of San
Francisco transfer makes a repeat cameo on this list. His strong spring camp
didn’t translate to a breakout fall in 2017, but he’ll have to factor into the
equation this year – and he definitely looks primed to.
Taylor Comfort, nose tackle
A walk-on at nose tackle?
Comfort’s taken a large quantity of first-team repetitions this spring.
Depending on the scheme or look the Cougars are giving, the 6-foot, 280-pound
senior could be the one anchoring the middle.
Justus Rogers, inside
linebacker
Rogers’ abilities are
hardly a mystery to Cougars fans after he stepped in for Isaac Dotson at Mike
linebacker last season. He’s been one of the most consistent defensive players
this spring and has proven to be especially adept in pass coverage.
Jack Crane, kicker
Let’s not jinx the young
man, but Crane’s perfect on field goals this spring, making all seven of his
tries through the first two scrimmages (34, 44, 44, 47, 39, 42, 42). It seems
as though the Cougars have found Erik Powell’s replacement.
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