Spring football's a time to get serious for Cougars
More often than not Paul Wulff would love to forget last football season. That’s because, to him, today’s first spring practice feels more like his first year as head coach at Washington State than it did a year ago.
“It really feels like our first year in the sense that we truly we feel like, ‘OK, we’re all on the same page now,’ ” Wulff said. “We have a much better handle of where we are at, what we need to do, and I think we can take some nice steps of growth as a team and as a program.”
A year ago at this time, Wulff and the returning Cougars were still trying to get to know each other. If spring is a time for teaching, Wulff and his staff spent almost as much time teaching the players how to practice as they did teaching in practice. That won’t be the case this spring. Wulff envisions practices that are high-tempo with an emphasis on teaching offense and defense, not teaching effort and attitude.
“We have a much higher expectation of our performance and what we do this spring,” he said. “These guys do know now and they know what to expect. They have had a good offseason and they’ve been able to digest last year. There’s no question I think we can take some bigger steps because we know each other better today than we did a year ago.”
Remnants of last season’s frustrating and disappointing 2-11 season remain – most notably injuries to several key starters that will either keep them out of spring practice or limit them greatly.
Senior center Kenny Alfred will miss the spring as he recovers from postseason hip surgery. Postseason surgeries will also limit quarterback Marshall Lobbestael (knee), linemen Micah Hannam (shoulder), Brian Danaher (shoulder), Tyson Pencer (shoulder), running backs Chantz Staden (knee) and Chris Ivory (hamstring), defensive lineman Jessy Sanchez (shoulder), linebackers Myron Beck (back) and Hallston Higgins (shoulder).
“Whenever you only have X- amount of kids to work with, you might limit yourself to what you are capable of doing,” Wulff said. “There are a couple positions where we are a little thin and if we get an injury there it could really limit us. Hopefully, that doesn’t occur.”
Wulff was irked by the rash of dings and minor injuries that kept his players out of fall practice a year ago, but he believes a year under a new weight regimen will keep that from happening as much this spring.
“I think these guys are in good shape,” Wulff said. “They are stronger and, I believe, will have fewer injuries this spring.”
A few other things to watch for from the Cougs this spring:
• Senior Kevin Lopina, sophomore J.T. Levenseller and sophomore walk-on Daniel Wagner will handle all of the quarterbacking duties. Lopina played in nine games in 2008, and led the Cougars to an Apple Cup win, but he’ll have to compete with Levenseller and eventually Lobbestael, who has been cleared to throw. Lobbestael will throw in some seven-on-seven passing drills but is not cleared for anything else.
• Even with three key players out, Wulff is looking for steady improvement from his offensive line, saying, “They have to make progress. If we don’t … then the offense isn’t going to improve.” Guard B.J. Guerra had a good offseason in the weight room, which pleased Wulff immensely. Wulff also called out tackles Steven Ayers and Joe Eppelle as players who need to show significant improvement from last season.
• With Brandon Gibson graduated and Jeshua Anderson participating in track, WSU’s newcomer receivers – transfer Johnny Forzani and Jeffrey Solomon – will get plenty of reps as WSU looks for more playmakers.
• WSU lists eight running backs on the depth chart, but Ivory and Staden will not practice in the spring. Senior Dwight Tardy fought knee problems all last year, while Logwone Mitz had a few breakout moments. Cal transfer James Montgomery, who sat out last season, could make a push for a starting spot.
• Sometimes-defensive end, sometimes-linebacker Andy Mattingly will go back to linebacker this spring. It’s his more natural position, and the Cougars have some depth up front to help make the move easier.
• Starting left cornerback Romeo Pellum has been suspended for violating team rules. Wulff would not elaborate. But Cal transfer Brandon Jones figures to benefit from Pellum’s absence.
• WSU returns just two defensive linemen – Kevin Kooyman and Toby Turpin – with game experience from last season.
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WSU key dates
TodayFirst practice
March 30first day of full pads
April 11first scrimmage (9:30 a.m.)
April 18second scrimmage (noon)
April 25final scrimmage (10 a.m.)
