One practice down for WSU
COUGARS
A quick post after Washington State's first practice today appears on the link. We have updates on injuries and other items, so read on.
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• There actually was some news from the morning practice, and more than just that the workout got underway with hip-hop music blaring from the Martin Stadium scoreboard – and a little AC/DC as well. ... Jordan Pu'u Robinson came out to practice on crutches, his right knee heavily bandaged. The redshirt sophomore had an MRI on the knee after he injured it early in yesterday's scrimmage, but the results aren't yet available. With the care being taken, however, it's obvious everyone is expecting the worst. ... Jamal Atofau is a different story. He didn't participate, but did ride the stationary bike – one-legged of course – and said he'll be back in a couple days. ... Gino Simone also rode the bike and expects to be back soon. ... As for the rest of the walking wounded, only Tyson Pencer, who wasn't at practice, Tim Hodgdon, Bernard Wolfgramm and Jared Karstetter didn't participate. Justin Clayton, Andrew Roxas and Bernard Rankin all were out there going full speed. ... On notably absence since the second practice Friday is freshman punter Jacob Miller from Central Valley High. Miller went back to Spokane for personal reasons and is not expected back for a while. ... Roxas ran with the second unit offensive line at left guard, where Hodgdon has been playing. The junior is learning the guard positions as well as the center spot. ... Kristoff Williams sat out the latter part of practice with his right big toe iced. ... As for the play on the field, WSU was in full pads and did quite a bit of team play during the nearly two-hour workout. The defense picked up where it left off Saturday, especially up front, where Rankin, Anthony Laurenzi, Travis Long and Kevin Kooyman harassed Jeff Tuel all day. Even when Tuel had some time, there were few open receivers as the defensive backfield was all over the field. ... It wasn't a day for big hits – though Darren Markle did unload on Carl Winston at one point – but more for just consistent, solid defensive play.
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• That's all for now. We'll return after the afternoon practice – a 3:30 start without pads – with more. Until then ...
