Grip on Sports: Football’s cruelest aspect showed itself again this week
A GRIP ON SPORTS • When will this incessant rain end? The hazy heat of summer is already forgotten as the rains fall and so do the temperatures. Can’t we go back about a week and leave everything the same as it was then for a while? I’m sure there are football players in the area that are wishing the same. Read on.
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• Being a college football player is tough on so many levels.
There is the physical toughness required, a facet everyone sees every week on display during games. There is a mental toughness needed, an underlying strength that is hidden better, only surfacing as the games – or practices – turn sour.
But there is one more type of toughness involved. Emotional toughness.
Football isn’t a linear sport. Things aren’t the same day after day, no matter how coaches try to make it so though consistent practice plans and constant speeches about “winning the day” or “let’s be 1-0 this week.”
A player’s body feels different every day. Every hour sometimes. And then there is the impossible-to-ignore sword hanging over their head, ready to fall at anytime, short-circuiting or ending a season or career with sudden swiftness. The sword has a name: Injury.
It’s a given that a handful of college football players on every team will see their season end before the final game. An etched-in-stone principle of the game.
Take our Pac-12 school for example.
Washington State has already lost its most-experience inside receiver, Robert Lewis, for the season, though there has not been anything official on that (hold that thought, we’ll have more in moment).
And this weekend the Cougars saw the last play this season of their most prolific defensive player, middle linebacker Peyton Pelluer.
Two redshirt seniors – if you don’t know, that means they are on their fifth year in Pullman – who have lost their final college games to injury.
(Before we go further, the NCAA does allow a sixth year at times. Usually, however, it is granted to players who lost two seasons to injury, something that didn’t occur for either Lewis or Pelluer, who chose to redshirt as freshmen in 2013. Whether either will petition to return and whether that will be granted, is a story for the offseason.)
When practice for the season began in Lewiston last month, the Cougars looked to be prepping for an extra-special year.
Pelluer and Lewis were part of the reason. But there is always a caveat in play around WSU’s football team. Due to depth issues, the Cougars need to stay healthy to reach their potential.
Here it is, a quarter of the way into the schedule, and one top-five and another top-15 player are out of commission, by all reports for the entire year.
But adversity is always opportunity and that’s the case here.
Renard Bell, a redshirt freshman, is getting more of an opportunity in the slot with Lewis out. He’s caught 10 passes and looks to be able to make even more contributions.
Nate DeRider, a redshirt senior and former walk-on, and Jahad Woods, another redshirt freshman, filled in for Pelluer after the latter was injured against Oregon State. They will be asked to fill the gap – and the gaps – against Nevada and beyond.
It’s all part of the sport. The toughest part, maybe, but part nonetheless.
• You know what doesn’t need to be part of the sport? Secrecy, at least when a player’s senior season is done.
Washington State listed Pelluer this week as the starter at middle linebacker. Maybe it’s a nice gesture. Maybe it’s something else.
Unless Pelluer’s dad, Scott, lied to the Lewiston Tribune’s Dale Grummert and others and Peyton has been lying on social media, the younger Pelluer will be on the sidelines the remainder of the season.
But Cougar coach Mike Leach, who acts as if discussing injuries is tantamount to treason, wouldn’t acknowledge the fact yesterday in his news conference. He hasn’t talked about Lewis’ loss either, though the players have dropped the bad news in other ways.
Hey, a case can be made if a player might play, it is a competitive advantage to keep his status secret. Make your opposition prepare for him. Use up precious practice time. It’s not a case we agree with, but it’s understandable.
But when it’s open knowledge a player is out for the season, especially one whose career may be done, what’s the harm in talking about him and his contributions?
A few nice words, publically, about a young man who has sweated and strained, given everything he has to you and your program, and by all accounts is a leader on and off the field, couldn’t hurt.
Heck, in the “competitive advantage” area, it might even help in recruiting down the road. Moms and dads like a coach who shows his heart occasionally.
Such a gesture always pays dividends down the line.
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WSU: It was a busy, busy day for Theo Lawson yesterday. We understand. Chronologically, he wrote about Pelluer’s injury, took his first look at Nevada, covered Luke Falk winning another Pac-12 player of the week honor, caught up with former Cougar Kaleb Fossum, who is hurt, reported on River Cracraft trying out with the Patriots, mentioned another Hilinski brother being offered a WSU scholarship and updated the Pelluer story. That’s a full day. … Ryan Collingwood acknowledged the success of Washington’s college football programs in this piece that covers WSU, UW, Eastern, Central and Whitworth. … The Times’ Stefanie Loh covered Leach’s presser from afar.
Elsewhere in the Pac-12, we can pass along power rankings, a look back at the weekend and the players of the week (hint: two-thirds play for Washington schools). Oh, and the Rose Bowl is looking for money. … If there is a better punt returner in the nation than Washington’s Dante Pettis, I haven’t seen him. The Huskies are also expected to highlight their ground game soon. … Injuries suck. Oregon State’s Jake Luton has a broken bone in his back, but it is the type from which recovery is just a matter of time. … California is dealing with an injury to its best receiver. … Oregon’s defense is better. How much better? … Colorado is focusing on Pettis, as well it should. … Utah will take an improved offense – and a hyped freshman quarterback – into Tucson on Friday. … USC faces a stiffer test this week than the Trojans expected. … UCLA’s defense has to reset due to injuries. … Arizona State may steal signals, but the Ducks don’t care anymore. … Brandon Dawkins is trying to balance his running and passing for Arizona against the Utes. … This Rashaan Salaam story is sad but worth reading.
EWU: Montana lost its starting quarterback to a season-ending injury last week so the Griz will turn to redshirt freshman in its matchup with the Eagles on Saturday. Jim Allen has that story. … He also has one on the official announcement the Big Sky is moving its basketball tournament to Boise in 2019. … The quarterback change is the top news in Missoula. … Around the Big Sky, the basketball tournament site switch has been all the rage. … Weber State is getting some respect in the polls. … Idaho State is still riding the high of the Nevada upset. … Montana State is changing its kicker.
Preps: The Freeman volleyball team returned to practice yesterday.
Mariners: Seattle didn’t play yesterday but picked up a half-game on Minnesota in the wild-card race. Maybe there will be some sort of tie at the end. … Emilio Pagan’s road to the majors was slower than he would have liked.
Seahawks: Jimmy Graham may not play this weekend against Tennessee after being knocked around in the 49er game. Is that the change Pete Carroll spoke about yesterday? … Michael Bennett’s sack celebration harkens back to an iconic moment.
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• It may be time to move the cactus plants back indoors. It’s been getting awful cold at night. Not freezing cold just yet, but cold enough to make me worry about the plants I only have around because they remind me of my childhood. Until later …